If you’ve ever scrolled through Instagram and suddenly felt inspired to reorganize your pantry or carve out a cozy reading nook, you’re not alone—and today’s homebuyers are feeling it, too. According to Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate’s 2026 Design Trends Moving Real Estate report, social media is reshaping what buyers expect and how agents stage homes. Ginger Wilcox, president and CEO of BHGRE, calls it the “Instagram effect”—driving a wave of stylized, photogenic spaces.
Consider this: Nearly half of buyers say social media influences what they want in a home at least somewhat, and one in five says it shapes their preferences a “great deal.”
“The features that earn millions of saves online, like organized pantries, cozy nooks and handcrafted kitchens are now showing up on buyers’ wish lists and influencing what they expect to see in person,” the report says.
Here’s how social media is influencing home staging today:
Curated pantries: Buyers want storage that not only functions well but looks good. Think clear containers, labeled bins and an overall sense of calm order. Agents are leaning into this by staging walk-in pantries as mini showpieces—even shelving can go viral. Fifty-eight percent of buyers say they want walk-in pantries with organized storage, according to BHGRE’s research.
Reading nooks: “These are areas that are styled where you can imagine yourself sitting there with a book,” Wilcox says. A simple corner becomes aspirational with built-in seating, soft lighting, layered textiles and a comfy throw, she says. Buyers want places where they can imagine themselves unwinding.
Coffee bars: Styled vignettes like coffee bars photograph well and can help buyers envision what their daily rituals would be like in a home.
Mudrooms: This coveted space can showcase how even small areas can be functional and adaptable to household needs. More than a third of consumers said they loved styled spots like mudroom drop zones and coffee bars, the BHGRE survey finds.
Pet zones: Dedicated pet areas are also trending, giving buyers a space to care for their furry family members.
“All of these micro-moments showcase a lifestyle, personality and adaptability,” Wilcox says.
Wilcox also highlights architectural details that translate beautifully to social media: Color-washed rooms and interior glass walls can create visual depth while providing flexible division in open floorplans.
Today, home staging isn’t just about making a home feel bigger or cleaner—it’s about creating small, camera-ready scenes that spark emotion and help buyers imagine life in the space. Social media has turned everyday features into must-have lifestyle moments—and smart staging—may make all the difference.
