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apartment painting

Why Multifamily Is Embracing Warmer, More Natural Spaces

Multifamily design is pairing warmer finishes with a stronger connection to daylight, fresh air and outdoor space—but local resident priorities matter more than a one-size-fits-all palette.

By ThatPainter Team 4 min read

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Multifamily design is turning toward warmer finishes and a stronger connection to the outdoors, but the evidence points to a direction—not a nationwide adoption rate. Recent Greystar survey findings show strong interest among its residents in natural light and large windows; trade coverage describes designers using warmer colors, wood tones, stone, and texture. For a painting project, the practical takeaway is to pair a warmer palette with the needs of the local market rather than treating one look as universally preferred.

What “warmer, more natural” means in apartment design

The phrase covers two related but distinct choices. One is a material and color vocabulary inside the building: warmer grays, taupes, blues and greens, alongside wood tones, stone, cork and textured wall coverings. The other is literal access to nature: daylight, fresh air, plants, green space and indoor-outdoor connections.

That distinction matters. A warm paint color can change the feeling of a room, but it does not provide a window, ventilation, a courtyard or shaded outdoor space. Likewise, resident preferences for natural light do not prove that a particular wall finish is in demand.

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Why the shift is resonating with residents

Natural light and large windows rank highly

In a January 14, 2026 announcement about its 2025 Design Survey, Greystar reported that 87% of respondents prioritized large windows and abundant natural light. The survey drew more than 137,000 responses from Greystar residents and assessed more than 50 apartment and community attributes; it is not a census of renters nationwide. Greystar’s 2025 survey announcement

The previous survey year showed a similar preference: the National Apartment Association reported in January 2025 that 86% of respondents to Greystar’s 2024 survey wanted large windows and abundant natural light. That survey had more than 90,000 responses. These are separate survey years, not a single trend line or a national estimate. NAA’s account of the 2024 survey

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“Natural” also means air and outdoor access

Greystar’s survey reporting includes fresh-air ventilation, outdoor space and greenery among resident priorities. The specific emphasis varies by market: the 2025 announcement identifies natural light as a standout in several Northeast markets, ventilation and sustainability in West Coast and Pacific Northwest markets, and pools or shaded green space in Sunbelt markets. Greystar’s survey announcement and its regional findings

Greystar managing director of Research & Analytics Services Quinn Eddins said: “The data reinforces that developers cannot take a one-size-fits-all approach. Walk-in closets and natural light remain universal, but we see sharp regional differences. West Coast renters emphasize sustainability and ventilation, while Sunbelt residents demand pools and shaded outdoor space. The takeaway is clear. Localizing design decisions is now a competitive advantage,” The statement reflects Greystar’s survey context; it should not be read as proof that every renter shares the same priorities. Greystar, January 14, 2026

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What warmer finishes look like in practice

National Apartment Association trade coverage describes designers moving away from uniformly cool gray palettes toward warmer gray, blues, greens and taupes. Examples include wood-toned cabinetry, natural stone, cork and textured wall coverings, including in common spaces. These are qualitative observations from design coverage, not measured resident preferences or a quantified count of projects adopting the look. NAA’s apartment design coverage

For painting, that vocabulary suggests considering colors with warmth and depth rather than defaulting to a single cool gray across every room. Greens and earthy neutrals can complement natural materials, while texture and contrast can help shared areas feel distinct from units. These are design applications, not findings that any particular color increases health, leasing or rent.

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How to choose the right approach for a property

  1. Start with local resident priorities. Use feedback from the property’s actual market where available. A six-market Corgan study surveyed 1,480 renters in Atlanta, Austin, Dallas, Denver, Nashville and Phoenix, combining survey responses with secondary research and interviews; its scope does not represent all U.S. markets. Corgan’s Residency Reshaped study
  2. Separate unit finishes from community investment. A warmer wall palette is an in-unit or common-area finish choice. Daylight, ventilation, courtyards, rooftops and shaded outdoor areas involve different building or site decisions; one cannot substitute for another.
  3. Match features to climate and use. A naturally ventilated plan, shaded seating or planting may make sense differently depending on local conditions and operating capacity. Consider where residents spend time and which spaces are realistically usable.
  4. Check upkeep as well as appearance. Ask project-specific questions about cleaning, durability, repainting, replacement and, for plantings, water and maintenance capacity. The cited design sources do not quantify these costs, so they need to be evaluated for the property.
  5. Gather feedback before committing. Arcadis recommends seeking resident input ahead of design and discusses outdoor access, wellness areas, flexible work and living arrangements, thoughtful materials and community-building spaces as design considerations. That is professional guidance, not an independent measurement of resident demand. Arcadis multifamily interiors commentary
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What the evidence does—and does not—say about value

There is no established national percentage in the cited material for multifamily properties adopting warmer natural interiors. The survey results support demand for certain natural-light and outdoor-related features among surveyed residents; qualitative trade coverage documents finish choices designers are discussing. Neither establishes how common the finish shift is across all properties.

A CREDA summary of Corgan research says more than 70% of surveyed renters were willing to pay $100–$199 more monthly for amenities across broad categories: neighborhood assets, in-unit amenities and shared amenities. That is stated willingness to pay, not realized rent growth, and it does not isolate warm paint, wood tones or other finishes. CREDA’s summary of the Corgan findings

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For a painting or renovation decision, treat warmer materials as one part of a broader resident-experience strategy—not a stand-alone return-on-investment claim. The strongest case is a palette and set of improvements chosen for the building, climate and residents, supported by feedback rather than assumptions.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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