Homebuyers are increasingly seeking out features that support their health and wellness journey. This is not surprising given that the health and wellness industry has surged in recent years, with consumers spending roughly 500 billion annually in the United States alone.
COGNITION Smart Data shows that consumers are prioritizing features that promote the three facets of wellness—physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Top features include natural daylight, fresh air, filtered water, and outdoor living spaces.
Consumers report a high level of interest in high-performance windows that are strategically placed throughout the home to maximize natural light and fresh air flow, as well as built-in water filtration systems that eliminate the need for standalone devices and sunrooms with views of the outdoors and easy access to nature.
The good news for builders and designers: high-impact wellness design doesn’t have to be complex. Prioritizing passive, nature-integrated features resonate strongly with buyers.
While many homeowners already have access to basic wellness features like daylight and operable windows, there is a clear gap when it comes to optimized health performance.
Existing homes provide baseline features, but not necessarily advanced-performance systems. COGNITION Smart Data shows that the greatest unmet needs center on healthier, non-toxic materials, more daylight, better water quality, and advanced air quality systems and ventilation.
To close this gap, builders and designers can focus on upgrading core systems and material choices that directly impact occupant health. This includes specifying low- or no-VOC paints, adhesives, and finishes to reduce indoor toxins, along with selecting durable, non-toxic materials for flooring and cabinetry.
Improving water quality through whole-home filtration systems can address growing consumer concerns around contaminants, while advanced HVAC systems with enhanced filtration and dedicated ventilation can significantly improve indoor air quality.
In addition, incorporating energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) or heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) ensures a continuous supply of fresh air without compromising energy efficiency.
By moving beyond baseline features and investing in higher-performing systems, builders can deliver homes that actively support physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
You can reprint this blog. Simply include this link with your attribution.
Like this COGNITION Hot Take? We have more! Unlock the data driving the industry’s sustainability transformation to build smarter and sell faster. Subscribe to COGNITION Smart Data.