Key Details:
- Realtor.com reports a record 31.9 million excess bedrooms in U.S. homes for 2023, up from 31.3 million in 2020 and over four times the 7 million in 1980.
- The share of total bedrooms considered “extra” climbed to 8.8%, driven by smaller households and larger homes.
- Regional trends show the highest percentages of excess bedrooms in the Mountain West and South, with Ogden, UT, topping the list at 12.2%.
Extra bedrooms are piling up in U.S. homes, with 2023 marking a record 31.9 million ‘excess’ rooms—up from 31.3 million in 2020 and over four times the 7 million in 1980.
But why are homes outgrowing households, and how does this impact the housing market?
A new report from Realtor.com reveals that the number of guest (or “excess”) bedrooms in U.S. homes has reached an all-time high. And this trend isn’t just about extra space; it reflects deeper shifts in household composition, housing affordability, and regional development.
Here’s what the data reveals about the growing prevalence of spare bedrooms across the country.
National Trends: Bedrooms Outpacing People
The report highlights a significant rise in the number of excess bedrooms in U.S. homes, driven by both changing household sizes and the evolution of home designs over decades.
Key findings include:
- The total number of excess bedrooms hit a record 31.9 million in 2023, up from 31.3 million in 2022 and over four times the 7 million recorded in 1980.
- The share of total bedrooms considered “excess” also set a new record at 8.8% in 2023, compared to 8.7% in 2022 and 3.5% in 1980.
- While the average number of bedrooms per home has grown from 2.5 in 1970 to 2.8 in 2023, it has remained unchanged over the last decade.
- A declining number of persons per household, from 3.1 in 1970 to a record low of 2.5 in 2023, is the primary driver of this trend.
Regional Hotspots: Where Extra Space Reigns Supreme
The trend toward excess bedrooms is much more pronounced in some regions than others, largely due to differences in land availability, housing affordability, and urban density.
Here’s how it breaks down:
Top 5 Markets with the Highest Share of Extra Bedrooms:
- Ogden, UT – 12.2%
- Colorado Springs, CO – 12.1%
- Salt Lake City, UT – 12.0%
- Memphis, TN – 11.8%
- Atlanta, GA – 11.6%
Top 5 Markets with the Lowest Share of Extra Bedrooms:
- Miami, FL – 5.9%
- Sarasota, FL – 6.4%
- New York City, NY – 6.5%
- Los Angeles, CA – 6.6%
- New Haven, CT – 6.7%
Regions like the Mountain West and South—where land is plentiful, and homes are often designed with larger floor plans—lead the trend.
Meanwhile, homes in densely populated urban areas such as New York City and Los Angeles are less likely to feature extra bedrooms due to space constraints and higher housing costs.
The Bedroom-Affordability Connection
One of the report’s most intriguing findings is the relationship between home values and the prevalence of extra bedrooms. Lower-cost markets are more likely to have homes with spare bedrooms, as buyers can afford larger properties.
For example, in Ogden, UT, where homes are more affordable, it’s easier for a two-person household to buy a four-bedroom home. In contrast, high-cost markets like New York City make spare bedrooms a rare luxury.
What This Means for the Housing Market
The rise of excess bedrooms reflects a broader shift in how Americans live, work, and prioritize space within their homes. While the trend may signal greater comfort and flexibility for some, it also underscores ongoing challenges in housing affordability and urban density.
Builders, buyers, and policymakers alike will need to consider how these dynamics shape the future of the housing market.
As we continue to see shifts in household composition and homebuyer preferences, one thing is clear: the modern American home is evolving to meet more than just our basic needs.
Whether for guests, offices, or just extra breathing room, those extra bedrooms are here to stay.
