Social media—especially TikTok—has a huge influence on what buyers want in a home today. But not everything trending online makes sense in the real world. Many real estate features that go viral on TikTok have little real value to long-term homeowners but are still driving up home prices. Flashy aesthetics often take precedence over practical needs, leading some buyers to overpay for homes based on trends that might not even last a few years. Here are 12 TikTok-driven real estate features inflating prices for questionable reasons.
1. Statement Laundry Rooms
Gone are the days of basic utility spaces; now, laundry rooms with custom tile, luxury wallpaper, and designer lighting are all the rage. According to Realtor.com, TikTok users have made the laundry room a highly Instagrammable spot, causing homebuilders and renovators to overinvest in features that don’t necessarily improve home function.
The problem? While a pretty laundry room is nice, it doesn’t fundamentally change the size, location, or practicality of the space. Buyers may find themselves paying a premium for stylish but impractical design choices that will be outdated long before the mortgage is paid off.
2. Butler’s Pantries
Butler’s pantries are seeing a major comeback thanks to TikTok tours of multimillion-dollar homes. According to Good Housekeeping, young buyers now prioritize these secondary kitchen spaces, even in modest homes, simply because they’re trending.
In reality, most people don’t need a second kitchen for day-to-day living. The extra square footage devoted to a butler’s pantry could otherwise be used for larger living areas or additional bedrooms. Yet because of social media hype, homes with these spaces are fetching significantly higher prices.
3. Floor-to-Ceiling Windows in Every Room
While expansive windows make for dramatic TikTok reveals, they aren’t always practical—or energy efficient. Energy.gov notes that floor-to-ceiling glass can dramatically increase heating and cooling costs, especially in regions with harsh climates.
Yet homes boasting “all-glass” designs often come with inflated price tags, even in areas where such windows are a maintenance nightmare. Buyers driven by social media aesthetics may find themselves regretting the upkeep and energy bills later on.
4. Home Gyms with Custom Neon Signs
Home gyms outfitted with trendy neon signage and designer wallpaper have exploded in popularity online. According to CNBC, TikTok videos showcasing curated gym spaces have made luxury workout rooms a status symbol, driving up renovation budgets and listing prices.
However, neon signs and decorative touches don’t enhance the actual functionality of a workout space. Buyers may end up paying for flashy designs that have no real effect on their fitness experience—or find that future buyers aren’t nearly as impressed when it’s time to resell.
5. Color-Drenched “Jewel Box” Rooms
TikTok interiors are currently obsessed with “jewel box” rooms—small, richly painted spaces filled with ornate decor. These hyper-curated rooms are all over home design feeds, influencing even mid-range home flips and remodels.
The downside? Deep-colored, heavily decorated rooms often have limited appeal beyond current trends. A jewel box room might feel glamorous for a few years, but buyers stuck repainting or redecorating down the line could be facing thousands in updates—not to mention the initial inflated cost.
6. Outdoor Kitchens with Pizza Ovens
TikTok and Instagram have glamorized outdoor kitchens, particularly setups with dedicated pizza ovens and built-in grills. These features are increasingly appearing even in modest suburban homes to appeal to the social media set.
Unfortunately, outdoor kitchens see limited use in many parts of the country due to weather constraints. Spending tens of thousands extra on a home because it has a pizza oven that might only be used twice a year doesn’t make practical financial sense for most families.
7. Minimalist Kitchens with No Upper Cabinets
Another viral trend is the hyper-minimalist kitchen with no upper cabinets—only open shelving or nothing at all. This look has captivated TikTok users seeking clean, ultra-modern aesthetics.
In everyday life, however, losing cabinet space can make a kitchen much less functional. Homes featuring this trend often command higher prices because of their perceived style, even though they offer less practical storage, creating potential frustrations for future owners.
8. Glass-Walled Home Offices
Remote work trends combined with TikTok design videos have made glass-walled offices highly desirable in new home builds. Glass walls look amazing on camera and feel open and bright, fitting perfectly with viral “dream office” aesthetics.
However, glass-walled offices offer little privacy or sound control, which are crucial for working professionals. Buyers may end up paying extra for spaces that are more suited to photo shoots than actual productivity, especially when family members are home during work hours.
9. Indoor Slides
Whimsical design features like indoor slides connecting floors have become TikTok-famous for their novelty and fun factor. Videos showcasing these playful additions often go viral, inspiring some custom builders to include them.
While a slide may earn likes online, it’s rarely practical for adult households—and can even become a safety concern over time. Despite this, homes featuring slides often sell at a premium due to their social media buzz, even if the new owners eventually rip them out.
10. Maximalist Wallpapered Bathrooms
Small bathrooms covered head-to-toe in bold, maximalist wallpaper are now a common sight in TikTok home tours. Colorful powder rooms are one of the fastest-growing micro-trends among young buyers.
Yet trendy wallpaper is notoriously difficult and expensive to remove. Buyers drawn in by vibrant social media tours may be committing to pricey future renovations—or simply paying more now for a trend that could look painfully dated within a few short years.
11. Mood Lighting Systems
Smart homes with elaborate color-changing lighting systems are gaining traction thanks to TikTok videos showing off LED mood lighting in kitchens, bedrooms, and home theaters. Gen Z and millennial buyers are especially influenced by this trend.
However, these high-tech lighting setups don’t necessarily add real property value. In fact, many of these systems can malfunction or become obsolete quickly, turning a trendy selling point into a maintenance headache. Nonetheless, homes featuring elaborate lighting often list for noticeably higher prices.
12. Faux “Meditation Rooms”
Dedicated meditation rooms filled with boho decor, ambient lighting, and plush seating have flooded TikTok’s home design feeds. These spaces often feature calming aesthetics but little actual function beyond their visual appeal.
Most homeowners find that these spaces are quickly repurposed into offices, guest rooms, or storage areas. Still, listings that highlight “serene meditation rooms” often command inflated prices, fueled by the dream of achieving the perfect curated lifestyle promoted online.
