Greystar's 2026 Design Survey: Social, Entertainment and Technology Amenities Gain Ground with Renters

Insights from 182,000 survey respondents across the U.S. reveal enduring renter priorities and growing demand for lifestyle amenities.

Charleston, SC — October 29, 2026 — Greystar, a global leader in rental housing, investment management, development, and property management, has released findings from its 2026 Design Survey Report, offering insight into the apartment features and community amenities that more than 182,000 U.S. residents value most when choosing their next home. The report brings together three years of resident feedback, collected from January 2023 through December 2025, that helps Greystar teams make more informed decisions about community design, amenities, and programming.

Top Five Most Desired Amenities Nationwide

• Expansive Closets: Topping the preferences for the third year in a row, 88% of residents expressed interest in expansive closets, and 38% of residents would not rent without one. 
• Natural Light: 86% of residents expressed interest in the feature or said they would not rent without it, and 31% considered natural light essential. 
• Fresh Air Ventilation: 85% of residents described the feature as either desirable or essential. Fresh air ventilation demand was the strongest in urban neighborhoods at 87%.
• Fitness Centers and Covered Parking: Rounding out the list, these two amenities each received support from 83% of residents. Fitness centers continue to be among the most popular community amenities, with more than two-thirds of respondents reporting that they regularly use their property's fitness facilities. Covered parking also demonstrated strong demand, particularly in areas like the Midwest, Southwest, and California. 

“Greystar’s Design Survey continues to provide valuable insights into resident preferences. The 2026 Design Survey Report draws on more than 182,000 responses collected over the past three years using the survey’s latest methodology,” said Quinn Eddins, Managing Director of Research and Analytics at Greystar. “By combining resident insights with our experience operating communities at scale, we can make thoughtful design decisions that balance enduring preferences with emerging trends and ultimately create places where residents want to live.”

"Findings from the design survey report help our team make more informed design and engineering decisions," said Aaron Keeler, Managing Director of Development at Greystar. "These insights help us prioritize amenities and finishes and better understand the value of features like balconies and built-in closets."

Shared Spaces and Technology-Focused Amenities Emerge as Priorities
Amenities designed to encourage social interaction, recreation and entertainment recorded some of the largest increases over the survey’s three-year period. Interest in clubhouses and entertainment spaces increased from 55% in 2023 to 62% in 2025, the largest increase among all attributes surveyed. Gaming rooms, maker spaces, multi-sport simulators, karaoke rooms, outdoor cinemas and cafés also gained interest, suggesting renters are placing greater value on spaces that support connection and recreation. 

Technology-focused amenities are also becoming more important. Interest in managed Wi-Fi, a private wireless network that follows residents throughout a property across their devices, increased from 60% to 66% over the same period. Interest in co-working spaces rose from 29% to 34%, reflecting the continued influence of hybrid and remote work. 

“Residents are looking beyond the four walls of their apartment and thinking more holistically about how their community supports their lifestyle,” said Eddins. “As residents place greater value on social spaces, technology and flexible work environments, there is an opportunity to create communities that support not only where they live, but also how they work, connect, and spend their leisure time.”

About the Design Survey Report
Greystar’s Design Survey Report explores renters’ preferences regarding their next apartment by measuring both their level of interest in specific apartment features and community amenities and the rent premium they would be willing to pay for those attributes. Respondents evaluate features using a range from “I won’t rent without this” to “I won’t rent with this,” providing insight into both desirable amenities and those considered essential to the rental decision. 

About Greystar
Greystar is a leading, fully integrated global real estate platform offering expertise in property management, investment management, development, and construction services in institutional-quality rental housing. Headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina, Greystar manages and operates over $300 billion of real estate in 265 markets globally with offices throughout North America, Europe, South America, and the Asia-Pacific region. Greystar is the largest operator of apartments in the United States, managing more than one million units/beds globally. Across its platforms, Greystar has over $79 billion of assets under management, including over $35 billion of development assets and approximately $36.5 billion of regulatory assets under management. Greystar was founded by Bob Faith in 1993 to become a provider of world-class service in the rental residential real estate business.

Media Inquiry 
Kelly Durot 
kelly.durot@greystar.com