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—to find out which amenities remain popular for renters, and which ones are taking over the top spot.

“Residents are looking beyond the four walls of their apartment and thinking more holistically about how their community supports their lifestyle,” said Quinn Eddins, Managing Director of Research and Analytics at Greystar. “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.”

So what multifamily amenities are the most desired nation-wide? What are some of the emerging amenities that have started to gain momentum? We looked at the report and dug out five of each.

Top 5 Most Preferred Multifamily Amenities in 2026

Here are the five most desired amenities across the U.S. for multifamily renters.

1. Expansive Closets

For the third year in a row, expansive closet space is the most preferred amenity/feature for multifamily renters. Eighty-eight percent of residents expressed interest in expansive closets, and 38% of residents said they would not rent without one.

2. Natural Light

As the second most in-demand, natural light is essentially a must-have for renters. Eighty-six percent of residents expressed interest in the feature or said they would not rent without it, and 31% considered natural light essential.

3. Fresh Air Ventilation

Fresh air ventilation demand was the strongest in urban neighborhoods, with 87% of residents describing the feature as either desirable or essential. The average for the entire country for this feature sits at 85 percent.

4. Fitness Centers

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. Eighty-three percent of respondents supported the desire for fitness centers.

5. Covered Parking

Rounding out the list, covered parking also received support from 83% of residents as the feature demonstrates strong demand, particularly in areas like the Midwest, Southwest, and California.

Top 5 Emerging Multifamily Preferences in 2026

Though these preferences may not be the most popular across the country, they are emerging in several areas and markets. The big connection? Lifestyle-oriented amenities.

1. Clubhouses and Entertainment Spaces

During the period of the survey from 2023 to 2025, amenities focused on social interaction and entertainment received the largest increase in desirability. The share of residents identifying clubhouses and entertainment spaces as an interest rose from 55% to 62%—the largest increase among all other survey attributes.

There was also interest in other recreational amenities, from gaming rooms and multi-sport simulators to karaoke rooms and outdoor cinemas. 

2. Managed Wi-Fi

Increasing by six percentage points (from 60% to 66%) was the interest in managed Wi-Fi, or a private wireless network that follows residents throughout the property across all of their devices.

3. Co-working Spaces

Co-working spaces saw a noticeable bump in desirability as well, rising from 29% to 34% since 2023. 

“This reflects the continued growth of hybrid and remote work,” the report states.

4. Non-toxic Pest Control

Interest in some sustainability features such as non-toxic pest control gained interest over the three-year survey period. In 2025, 79% of renters said they were interested in or would not rent without non-toxic pest control.

5. Regional Differences

Trends and interests are changing across the country. This is true with reserved/covered parking being a priority to renters throughout the Midwest, Mountain West, California, and Pacific Northwest; walkability and access to transportation ranking highly in New York and Washington, D.C.; and controlled community access in especially popular areas across Texas, the Desert Southwest, Mountain West, and parts of the Southeast.

One amenity had the greatest regional variation: valet trash service. With the strongest renter interest for the amenity lying in Florida, Texas, and the Southeast, the feature is not too popular in the Northeast, Pacific Northwest, and coastal California regions.