Amenity 2.0: Design Moves That Boost Multifamily ROI & Retention
Once upon a time, multifamily amenities were a spectacle. Think: rooftop theaters, VR golf, lounges designed for Instagram more than real life. But renter priorities have shifted. So has the definition of luxury.
Today’s residents want more than wow-factor. They want spaces that work just as beautifully as they look, amenities that pull double duty as operational assets and leasing magnets. The result? A new era of purposeful, utility-forward multifamily design that blends hospitality, branding, and everyday ease.
Let’s break it down.
Put Utility Front-of-House
Missed deliveries and cluttered back rooms tank both resident happiness and curb appeal. When package management is friction-free and photo-worthy, it becomes part of the brand story and the leasing tour.
New-Build Play
Design hospitality-style package lounges off the main lobby with custom millwork lockers, ambient lighting, soft seating, even a coffee tap. It’s operational gold that photographs like a boutique hotel.
Value-Add Move
Convert underused business centers into package hubs with cleanable wallcovering, app-based tracking, and luxe LVT. Leverage existing HVAC to keep costs lean.
ROI Insight
Buildings with branded package management report up to 18 % higher resident satisfaction and lower turnover (NMHC 2023).
Turn Leasing into a Lifestyle Moment
First impressions set price perception. Leasing environments that feel curated (versus cubicle-farm corporate) signal quality, warmth, and a lifestyle worth the premium.
New-Build Play
Anchor a glass-front leasing studio beside the lobby. Fluted wood desks double as coworking bars; curated scent branding and gallery lighting encourage prospects to linger.
Value-Add Move
Replace bulky desks with a shared standing-height island, layer in textiles, digital tour screens, and a fresh paint story that matches model units.
ROI Insight
Design-forward leasing offices boost tour-to-lease conversions by up to 20 % (J Turner Research).
Kitchens That Lease Units — and Keep Them Full
Kitchens have evolved into workstations, content studios, and social hubs. An elevated kitchen photo often seals the deal before a prospect ever steps on site.
New-Build Play
Waterfall islands, dual-tone cabinetry, smart-appliance walls, hidden USB - each element earns its keep in clicks and rent premiums.
Value-Add Move
Keep cabinet boxes; swap doors for two-tone fronts, add quartz, LED under-cabinet strips, and matte-black hardware.
ROI Insight
Listings that spotlight upgraded kitchens pull 38 % more engagement (RentCafe) and can command $150–$300/month in additional rent.
Neuro-Inclusive Design: Good for Everyone
With 46 % of Gen Z adults reporting sensory sensitivities (Pew 2023), inclusive design is market demand and no longer a niche accommodation.
New-Build Play
Zone lobbies by sensory energy, install tunable circadian lighting, specify matte tactile finishes, and ensure intuitive wayfinding, no signage stigma.
Value-Add Move
Retrofit clubhouses with acoustic panels, warm indirect LEDs, biophilic touches, and re-zoned furniture layouts.
ROI Insight
Properties prioritizing sensory wellness outperform peers by 6–16 % in engagement and retention (Delos + MIT 2023).
The Humble Hallway, Reclaimed
Residents chase holistic health such as yoga, recovery, mindfulness. Thoughtful wellness design drives renewals and social buzz.
New-Build Play
Pair cardio + strength with cold-plunge tubs, infrared saunas, meditation pods, and app integrations for habit tracking.
Value-Add Move
Downsize dated equipment; carve out mirror-lined movement studios with dimmable LEDs, plant accents, and aromatherapy diffusers.
ROI Insight
Wellness-rich amenities correlate with $200–$400/month rent lift; 74 % of Gen Z renters say wellness impacts renewals (RentCafe).
The Bottom Line
Amenity 2.0 isn’t about adding more. It’s about making what you already have work harder and blending utility with beauty, operations with experience. That’s how you stay ahead of tenant expectations, lease faster, and elevate your asset’s brand story.
At tommie, we design multifamily spaces that do just that. No filler. No cookie-cutter “luxury.” Just purposeful, strategic design that delivers for residents and for you.
Ready to reimagine your amenity strategy?