The Home Feature Nearly 32% Of People Say They Can't Live Without

When looking for a new home, everyone has a few essential elements that they just can't compromise on. Some people might want a backyard to host gatherings, while others might just want large windows so that their living space will be flooded with light. By choosing our favorite features, we even begin to shape the type of life we'll be leading while in that home. After all, you might be more tempted to stay home and host gatherings if you have access to your own pool.

According to World Population Review, housing prices have risen nearly 20% over the past year. In light of such a strenuous housing market, it's more important than ever to look at what people absolutely will not compromise on, even if they may be able to land a better deal.

The beauty of these little preferences is that they're so personal — both in terms of the variety of answers and in how they reflect people's ideal lifestyles. But do patterns start to emerge, especially when you look at what people consider to be the most essential feature in their home? To find out, House Digest conducted a survey of 596 people and asked them which home feature they couldn't live without. Nearly a third of people voted for ...

Earning 31.87% of the vote and 187 responses, a modern kitchen was the feature that most people said that they couldn't live without. Frankly, we can't say that we're surprised. While food delivery services have seen a massive boom in popularity recently — according to Second Measure, three of the biggest food delivery companies saw staggering growth since the start of the pandemic — it's much cheaper (and in some cases, faster) to make your own food at home. 

Unfortunately, this means that it's easy to spend a lot of time in the kitchen — and if you hate your setup, that time will be a lot more aggravating. If your kitchen looks nice and up to date, it instead becomes a delight to work in. Plus, it'll be a source of pride when hosting guests, and depending on the modern appliances you've chosen, you might even get to enjoy some smart home perks.

While a modern kitchen was the most popular response to our poll, it was far from the only perk that people seemed to love. In second place, 24.33% of people (145 responses) said that they'd prefer a backyard — a perk that we'd imagine is especially desirable for remote workers, as it could offer a warm, sunny office on the right day. Coming in third, 20.97% (125 responses) opted for lots of light, while 17.28% of those who were surveyed (103 responses) said that they couldn't live without a walk-in closet. The least popular answer? Only 6.04% of people (36 responses) preferred a fireplace — although this tiny group would probably be coziest in the winter.

Although the housing market has been red-hot for a long time, making buyers and renters more likely to scramble for an affordable price regardless of perks, things may be changing. According to CNBC, a number of American real estate markets are slowing down, giving buyers and renters more power to find the home of their dreams. In other words, that ideal modern kitchen may be in more people's cards soon.