94% of New Construction Homeowners Are Willing to Pay More for Flex Spaces
According to our survey of more than 2,000 U.S. homeowners, 90% said flexible spaces (i.e., rooms that support multiple uses) are very or moderately important when choosing a new home. This sentiment may be rooted in hindsight, since our 2024 Housepower Report found the top regret among homeowners was compromising on features they really wanted.
This signals a key opportunity for builders to design homes that eliminate future regret by prioritizing adaptable, high-utility spaces from the start. To support that strategy, we dug into the flex space features buyers value most and what they’re willing to invest in to get them.
Key takeaways
- New construction homeowners are more likely to view flex spaces as value-additive, with 62% considering them “very important” compared to only 40% of respondents with existing homes.
- Most homeowners (86%) are willing to pay more for a home with a well-designed flex room, including 94% of new construction homeowners and 80% of those with existing homes.
- Among all survey respondents, guest rooms (52%) and home offices (46%) are the most preferred uses for flex spaces, while natural light (50%) and built-in storage (49%) rank as the most valued design features.
- New construction homeowners prioritize guest rooms (44%), home offices (40%), and game or media rooms (36%) — highlighting demand for layouts that support hosting, working, and entertaining at home.
Homeowners are willing to pay up to $20K more for the right flex space
Of the homeowners who said flex spaces are important when shopping for a home, 50% called them “very important.” That number climbs to 62% among new construction homeowners, signaling strong demand in the market for more flexible layouts.
This also translates into how much homeowners are willing to spend. The majority of homeowners (86%) indicated they are willing to pay more for a home with a well-designed flex room. That willingness is even higher among those who bought new construction — 94% of that group said the same.
The table below shows how homeowners of new construction vs. existing homes answered when asked whether they'd be willing to pay more for a home with a well-designed flex room — and, if so, how much more.
INVESTMENT LEVEL | NEW CONSTRUCTION HOMEOWNERS | OWNERS OF EXISTING HOMES |
|---|---|---|
Unwilling to pay more | 6% | 20% |
Up to $5,000 | 16% | 21% |
$5,000–$10,000 | 30% | 32% |
$10,000–$20,000 | 34% | 20% |
More than $20,000 | 14% | 7% |
This general consensus highlights how today’s homeowners are focused on functionality and adaptability alongside other 2025 home building trends. By understanding and delivering on this demand, builders and developers are better positioned to meet buyer expectations and gain a competitive advantage.
For buyers, choosing the right build from the start can also help them avoid the hidden costs of DIY mistakes, like fixing poorly executed projects or completely redoing work that doesn’t meet professional standards.
From sliding doors to sunlight: Features homeowners want built in
Our survey shows that today’s homeowners are thinking beyond square footage to prioritize how each room supports their daily life. The most in-demand flex spaces reflect the buyers’ desires to live, work, and unwind at home.
According to our survey of more than 2,000 homeowners, the top five most-wanted flex spaces are:
- Guest room or convertible bedroom (52%)
- Home office (46%)
- Hobby or creative studio (34%)
- Home gym or wellness room (32%)
- Multi-use storage or mudroom (37%)
While traditional options like guest rooms and home offices lead the way, interest in activity-focused spaces is growing. This is especially true among new construction homeowners. Entertainment areas, libraries, and multi-generational living suites ranked higher with this group.
Homeowners are also increasingly focused on the design elements that make flex spaces functional and enjoyable. When asked which design features matter most in a flex space, responses varied by home type, but flexibility remained consistent.
Notably, new construction homeowners showed the highest levels of interest in features built into a home's layout, including access to natural light, privacy features like sliding doors, built-in or hidden storage, and an open floor plan.
DESIRED HOME FEATURES | NEW CONSTRUCTION HOMEOWNERS | OWNERS OF EXISTING HOMES |
|---|---|---|
Access to natural light | 45% | 54% |
Privacy features (e.g., sliding doors, room dividers) | 43% | 43% |
Built-in or hidden storage | 40% | 56% |
Open floor plan | 40% | 42% |
Convertible furniture (e.g., Murphy bed, folding desk) | 35% | 25% |
Easy to reconfigure (e.g., modular walls) | 33% | 24% |
Soundproofing or acoustic treatments | 31% | 26% |
Flexible spaces backed by comprehensive coverage
From remote work to multi-generational living solutions, today’s homeowners are seeking spaces that adapt as their lives change.
Discover how home insurance with Hippo can help protect your evolving lifestyle. Get a personalized quote today and find coverage that fits your needs.
Methodology
This report presents findings from a survey administered by SurveyMonkey Audience on behalf of Hippo Insurance Services between May 8 and May 9, 2025. The analysis is based on 2,038 completed questionnaires from screened respondents residing in the United States. The respondents were identified as homeowners of single-family dwellings, condominiums, or townhouses and were 18 years of age or older.
The reported data is unweighted, and the margin of error for the total sample is approximately ±2% at a 95% confidence interval. Within this sample, 1,153 respondents were owners of existing homes (margin of error approximately ±3% at a 95% confidence interval), and 909 were owners of new construction homes (margin of error ±3% at a 95% confidence interval).
These insights reflect observed trends within the surveyed population and are provided for informational purposes only. For any insurance-related decision, please consult your licensed insurance producer.
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