Top Bath and Kitchen Features by Generation

If you’re building and designing for a specific buyer, it’s important to note that desirable home features can differ greatly from generation to generation, says the National Association of Home Builders. One example are dual toilets in the primary bathroom. Of the Millennials surveyed, 48% rated this feature essential or desirable, as did 50% of Gen X yet only 20% of Baby Boomers. Additional stark differences in preferences can be seen with his and her bathrooms, a skylight in the primary bath, and a bidet. At least half of Gen X and Millennials desired these while just 25% to 35% of Baby Boomers did.

Kitchens
When it comes to kitchens, younger and older buyers once again exhibit different wants. Millennial and Gen X buyers are more likely to desire certain kitchen features than their boomer counterparts, by a margin of 25 percentage points in some cases.

For example, a steam oven is desirable or essential to 51% of millennials and to 47% of Gen X buyers, but only to 19% of boomers – a 32-point difference between the youngest and oldest buyers.

Likewise, more than 50% of the younger two generations would be positively influenced to purchase a home if the kitchen included a trash compactor, a wine cooler, a central island with range and a double island.

In contrast, the share of boomers who want those features only ranges from 25-37%.