A greater desire for amenities, function, and balance between private and public spaces is motivating today's post-COVID homebuyer, according to a new report from ULI and PwC.

"The desire for more functional spaces grew tremendously during the pandemic-related lockdowns. Builders have not had time to create new designs, but they are modifying current ones," the report notes, adding that the CEO of a large private homebuilder told the survey that consumers prefer a higher bedroom count, as well as "reading nooks" and "drop zones" where possible. To fit, architects are taking space from typically large areas like the kitchen or dining room and "right-sizing" the home office, the report states.

"Open great rooms are not going away," the report says. "Instead, they are being paired with more private spaces like prep kitchens, drop zones, retreats, and nooks."