Zillow: Soapstone countertops boost home values

Zillow: Soapstone countertops boost home values
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Homes with natural features and organic surfaces are selling for more, according to a recent survey. The modern organic style, which embraces neutral colors and textured materials, is in high demand among buyers. The survey analyzed over two million properties sold in 2024.

It found that homes featuring certain materials and finishes were more popular and commanded higher prices. Soapstone and onyx were key materials, adding 3.5% more value to a standard U.S. home’s sale price. Venetian plaster walls also increased a property’s total value by 3%.

Homes with designated shower rooms saw a 3.3% increase in value. Outdoor features are also important to buyers. Well-designed outdoor spaces can add a 2.8% increase to a home’s total sale price.

To incorporate the modern organic style into your home, use natural materials like soapstone, onyx, and Venetian plaster. Embrace textured walls and enhance your outdoor areas to make them appealing to buyers. Accessorizing can also help achieve this look.

An acacia wood fruit bowl, statement pendant, textured rug, throw cushions, wooden coffee table, and ceramics can all add to the modern organic aesthetic. Incorporating these elements can not only increase the value of your home but also create a serene and inviting space that is highly sought after by buyers. Homes with features that align with the organic modernism trend are fetching higher prices, according to a new report from Zillow.

This style is characterized by natural materials like soapstone and onyx countertops, herringbone-patterned and cork floors, and Venetian plaster walls. Homes with these features can sell for up to 3.5% more than anticipated, adding an extra $12,500 to a typical U.S. home’s value. Soapstone countertops are proving to be more profitable than traditional choices like quartz and granite.

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Wet rooms, fully tiled bathrooms where all surfaces can get wet, are also rising in popularity and can boost a home’s sale price by 3.3%. Functional outdoor features contribute to higher resale values as well.

Soapstone and onyx boost values

Listings that mention an outdoor shower sell for 2.8% more, and bluestone patios can increase value by 2.2%. Zillow’s analysis of over two million homes listed in 2024 reveals several other features that can help sell a home for more than expected. These include remodeled spaces, white oak floors, walnut cabinets, pot fillers, and ice machines.

These features are contributing to the increasing appeal and value of homes in today’s market, making them highly desirable to potential buyers. When it comes to what home features buyers are seeking in 2025, Organic Modernism is leading the way. Homes with natural materials and statement finishes can sell for up to 3.5% more than estimated, potentially adding over $12,000 to your home’s value with a few strategic design updates.

“Organic Modernism is the new modern farmhouse,” says home trends expert Amanda Pendleton. This contemporary look, characterized by natural stone, wood flooring and cabinetry, and textured walls, is highly sought after. Buyers are now competing for homes featuring these refined yet raw finishes, which is pushing up sale prices.

Key kitchen elements driving this trend include natural countertops, walnut cabinets, matte black, and brushed gold finishes. Amenities like walnut cabinets and pot fillers are highly desirable, with the latter correlating with a 2.2% increase in home value. In the bathroom, wet rooms are becoming increasingly popular.

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While spa bathrooms can improve your home’s value by 0.6%, wet rooms can boost the selling price by 3.3%. These spaces offer a natural and luxurious feel, thanks to their open-concept, waterproof design. Outdoor features are significant to buyers, and outdoor showers, for example, contribute to rising property values by up to 2.8%.

Incorporating natural stones or nature-inspired tiles can create a cohesive look. Having amenities like an outdoor kitchen can further enhance your home’s appeal, increasing its value by 2.2%. Across 2 million homes analyzed, the keywords most associated with high-value sales include remodeled, soapstone, wet room, white oak floor, Venetian plaster, outdoor shower, renovated, quartz, herringbone floor, walnut cabinets, outdoor kitchen, pot filler, bluestone patio, cork floor, and ice machine.

If your home features any of these elements, be sure to highlight them when listing your property to attract buyers and maximize your sale price. Updating your home with features of Organic Modernism can significantly boost its market value.

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