Top Upgrades for 3 Entertainment Areas in the Home

by Traci Stanier

As owners remodel and buyers look for that perfect home, with the prospect of entertaining guests in the near future, entertainment updates are gaining in popularity.

The top entertainment updates to a home with the potential for the largest return on investment are centering around the backyard, basement, and kitchen, according to HomeLight’s Top Agent Insights for Spring 2021 report.

In the backyard, a fire pit with a bench or couch ranks as the number one backyard entertainment feature. Nearly 77% of real estate pros surveyed cited this as a top upgrade among home buyers in their market. More than half of real estate pros also cited ambiance with a warm glow from lighting as a top backyard entertainment upgrade. This could include the use of spotlights, string lights, and more.

The following were considered the top backyard upgrades by real estate pros:

  • Firepit and bench/couch area: 76.8%
  • Lighting (spotlights, string lights, lanterns, or recessed lighting): 54.4%
  • Built-in grill: 53.9%
  • Outdoor living room: 52.4%
  • Space for yard games: 43.2%
  • Elevated deck/lower patio combination for multiple outdoor spaces: 35.9%
  • Television set: 35.6%

The basement is also getting more attention among homeowners for a way to upgrade their entertainment spaces in their home. Nearly 59% of real estate pros cited the basement guest suite as a top upgrade among home buyers in their market. The following is a breakdown of the top basement updates, according to real estate pros surveyed by HomeLight:

  • Separate bed and bath for guests: 58.8%
  • Rec room setup for ping-pong or pool: 55%
  • Fresh carpet or flooring: 49.2%
  • Separate playroom for the kids: 44.6%
  • Wet bar: 38.6%
  • Separate workspace: 37.1%
  • Separate storage space to preserve finished side: 33.9%
  • Upgraded lighting: 33.3%

The kitchen is often the center for entertaining at home. Kitchen islands remain a spotlight, along with stools to accommodate extra seating. The following were the kitchen entertainment features that real estate pros say they’re finding most important to their clients:

  • Bar seating: 65.8%
  • Island or peninsula with a raised countertop for gathering: 62.3%
  • Combination family room/kitchen on the main floor: 56.8%
  • Large pantry with counter/ability to hide food prep mess: 55.7%
  • Wine fridge: 41.2%
  • High-end, quiet dishwasher: 37.5%
  • Showcase lighting to highlight backsplash, upscale drinkware: 31.9%
  • Luxury range such as Viking or Wolf: 30.8%
  • Luxury refrigerator such as a Sub-Zero: 30.5%
Source:
Top Agent Insights for Spring 2021,” HomeLight (2021)

Published on 2021-04-29 16:59:50