Multifamily developers and property owners are facing evolving renter expectations as residents place greater value on shared entertainment areas, connected technology and flexible workspaces alongside traditional apartment features. Greystar's 2026 Design Survey, drawing on more than 182,000 U.S. resident responses, identifies these changing preferences as important considerations for future rental housing design.
Interest in clubhouses and entertainment spaces recorded the largest increase among the attributes surveyed, rising from 55% in 2023 to 62% in 2025. Other community features gaining attention include gaming rooms, maker spaces, multi-sport simulators, karaoke rooms, outdoor cinemas and cafés.
The findings suggest that residents increasingly value common areas that support recreation and social interaction beyond their individual apartments.
Technology-enabled amenities also recorded growth. Interest in managed Wi-Fi, which provides a private wireless network across a residential property, increased from 60% to 66% over the three-year period. Demand for co-working spaces rose from 29% to 34%, reflecting continued interest in work-from-home and hybrid work arrangements.
Despite growing interest in lifestyle amenities, practical apartment features continued to rank highly in the survey.
Expansive closets led the nationwide preferences for the third consecutive year, with 88% of respondents expressing interest and 38% identifying the feature as essential to their rental decision. Natural light attracted interest from 86% of residents, while 31% said they would not rent without it.
Fresh air ventilation was desirable or essential to 85% of respondents, with demand reaching 87% in urban neighbourhoods. Fitness centres and covered parking each received support from 83% of residents. More than two-thirds of respondents also reported regularly using their property's fitness facilities.
Greystar's survey measures both interest in apartment features and community amenities and the rent premium residents would be willing to pay for them. Respondents assess features on a scale ranging from essential to unacceptable, offering insight into how different design choices influence rental decisions.
The findings provide developers, architects and multifamily property owners with data to guide decisions on apartment layouts, shared spaces, building systems and technology infrastructure. As resident expectations evolve, incorporating flexible social areas, reliable connectivity and practical apartment features during the design stage can help align new rental developments with market demand.
The report draws on three years of resident feedback collected from January 2023 through December 2025. Greystar is headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina, and provides property management, investment management, development and construction services across global rental housing markets.
Source: Greystar.
