Millennial Homeowners Prioritize Joy Over Resale Value

More homeowners are designing for themselves rather than future buyers

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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A recent survey found that 76% of homeowners are decorating for themselves rather than prioritizing resale value or market trends. Homeowners are increasingly choosing to invest in personalized projects like outdoor pools, home gyms, and hobby rooms that bring them joy, even if those renovations may not maximize their home's resale value. Designers are also seeing a shift, with clients embracing more color, pattern, and individual style over broadly palatable choices.

Why it matters

This shift reflects a growing sentiment that a home is an experience to be enjoyed, not just an asset to be maximized. It highlights how homeowner priorities are evolving, with more focus on personal fulfillment over resale potential, especially among younger buyers.

The details

The survey found that 32% of homeowners plan to stay in their homes long-term, while 25% said they want to simply enjoy their space and 25% prioritize joy because they spend so much time at home. Beyond real estate, interior designers are also seeing clients request more personalized, joy-filled designs over generic choices aimed at future buyers. Requests for projects like outdoor pools, home gyms, and hobby rooms have increased, even though these may not deliver the same return on investment as kitchen or bathroom renovations.

  • The Thumbtack survey was conducted in 2026.

The players

Morgan Olsen

Senior Brand Manager at Thumbtack

Avery Cox

Interior designer

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What they’re saying

“When asked what led them to put happiness ahead of return on investment, homeowners expressed a range of attitudes.”

— Morgan Olsen, Senior Brand Manager at Thumbtack

“I'm happy to see clients embracing color and pattern more over the past few years. There has been less focus on resale value and more on designing for the individual. This allows clients to take the pressure off of making choices for anyone other than themselves, which makes room for much more play.”

— Avery Cox, Interior designer

The takeaway

This shift in homeowner priorities, from maximizing resale value to prioritizing personal joy and fulfillment, reflects a broader cultural change. Homes are increasingly seen as experiences to be enjoyed rather than just assets to be managed, especially among younger buyers. This trend is likely to continue as more homeowners embrace their individual styles and needs over generic, market-friendly design choices.