Lisa Mailhot | December 18, 2024
Buyers
As families across America prepare for holiday gatherings, a significant trend emerges: the expanding number of guest bedrooms. A new analysis by Realtor.com®'s economic research team reveals a record high in both the total number and the proportion of homes with spare bedrooms. This shift is reshaping how Americans utilize their living spaces, reflecting deeper demographic and cultural changes.
In 2023, the U.S. saw a total of 31.9 million extra bedrooms, marking a steady increase from previous years and significantly higher than the figures from the 1980s. Interestingly, the proportion of bedrooms designated as guest rooms has reached a peak of 8.8%. Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com, points out,
"During the holidays we often feel the need for more room, especially for guests. However, we are in a golden age of extra bedrooms."
This trend is supported by the growth in the average number of bedrooms per home and the notable decline in household size since the 1970s.
The decrease in the average number of persons per household—from 3.1 in 1970 to 2.5 in 2023—mirrors significant demographic shifts. Baby boomers are transitioning into empty nest phases, while millennials are marrying later and having fewer children, influencing real estate trends significantly. These changes are creating environments where spare bedrooms are increasingly common, not just for guests but as flexible spaces for offices and other uses.
The availability of guest bedrooms varies widely across the country. The Mountain West and South, known for their ample building space, lead with the highest numbers of spare bedrooms. In contrast, densely populated urban areas like Miami and New York City have the fewest. For instance, Ogden, UT, stands out as the guest bedroom capital of America, with 12.2% of all bedrooms there classified as spare.
Top and Bottom Metros for Spare Bedrooms:
The evolving landscape of American households highlights a unique opportunity for homeowners and real estate professionals alike. As we witness the golden age of guest bedrooms, the potential for reimagining these spaces is immense, whether for hosting guests, creating home offices, or adapting to other personal needs. If you're considering a move to a community rich in spacious homes, like those found in Ogden or Colorado Springs, let's connect and explore the possibilities together.
Homebuilder sentiment remains low as reliance on price cuts grows, but optimism is building with the potential for a Federal Reserve rate cut. Mortgage rates have alre… Read more
Mortgage applications just hit a three-year high as rates dip to their lowest since October 2024. Learn why this could be a window of opportunity for both buyers and s… Read more
The U.S. rental market is heating up again, with asking rents climbing at the fastest pace since 2022. Limited new apartment construction and strong demand are fueling… Read more
A new Redfin analysis shows the U.S. homeowner population ticked down 0.1% year over year in Q2 2025 while renter households jumped 2.6%. Prices remain high, mortgage … Read more
Pending home sales are climbing for the second month in a row, while mortgage rates have dropped to their lowest level in 10 months. More affordable listings are hitti… Read more
New-home sales slowed in July 2025 as affordability challenges weighed heavily on buyers, despite builder incentives and discounts. With prices dropping below existing… Read more
Nearly half of U.S. workers are reconsidering big financial moves like purchasing a home because of concerns over job stability, according to a new Redfin survey. Whil… Read more
July 2025 housing starts data shows single-family construction climbing in the South while slowing in other parts of the country. For Orange County buyers and sellers,… Read more
Apartment-building permits slowed across the U.S. this past year, signaling tighter future rental supply even as demand firms back up. Here’s what the national trend—a… Read more
Let's find a time that suits you best to chat about your goals, show you how we work, and figure out how we can help you the most