In recent years, home buyers and sellers have become far more attentive to the quality of interior materials. Floors, wall coverings, surfaces and finishes are no longer seen as simple aesthetic details, but as immediate indicators of a property’s value and overall condition. When a potential buyer walks into a home, they instinctively assess how durable the materials are, how much future maintenance they may require, and whether the spaces feel modern and well cared for.

In 2025, this awareness is even more pronounced. Targeted renovations and updates to kitchens and bathrooms are among the improvements that most influence buyer interest and reduce time on the market. In this context, materials such as porcelain stoneware, wood and resin have become some of the most sought-after choices, each offering distinct advantages in terms of aesthetics, durability, sustainability and perceived value.

Understanding why these materials are so appealing—and how they influence a property’s marketability—helps homeowners, investors and professionals make more strategic decisions during renovation.

Why materials matter: how they influence a home’s value and marketability

When a potential buyer visits a property, the first thing they assess isn’t just the layout, but the perceived quality of the spaces. Floors, coverings and finishes instantly reveal whether the home has been well maintained, whether future work will be needed and whether the asking price matches the property’s condition.

Outdated, damaged or low-quality materials can trigger two immediate effects:

• a lower perceived value, as the buyer instinctively estimates the cost of the work that will need to be done;
• longer selling times, as the property becomes less competitive compared to other options on the market.

Conversely, modern, durable and low-maintenance materials increase the feeling of comfort and reduce the need for work after purchase. This makes it possible to:

• enhance the home’s appearance in listing photos,
• justify a higher and more defensible asking price during negotiations,
• attract a wider and more qualified audience,
• reduce the time needed to close the sale.

Choosing the right materials is not just an aesthetic detail but a strategic lever: it shapes the perception of quality, influences the emotional impact of the viewing and affects how willing a buyer is to recognize the property’s value. For this reason, when preparing a home for sale, it’s best to opt for neutral, durable and broadly appreciated solutions that align with current market preferences.

2025 trends: what buyers look for when viewing a property

In 2025, Italian buyers are showing increasingly specific preferences — they no longer focus solely on size and location, but pay close attention to elements that, until a few years ago, were considered secondary. Among the key emerging factors are:

• Quality and condition of the property: according to a report by Idealista, demand has grown by 37% year over year, while supply has increased by only 4%. This imbalance makes ‘move-in ready’ homes significantly more appealing and competitive.
• Energy efficiency and sustainability: the demand for homes with certifications, low operating costs and modern materials is rising sharply. A report by Cushman & Wakefield notes that ‘reducing emissions and managing climate-related risks will influence asset values and rental demand.’
• Move-in ready: international analyses show that buyers are willing to pay a premium for properties that require no urgent work.
• Spaces and finishes that convey modernity and functionality: current trends show that well-finished interiors, with no imminent work required and featuring contemporary materials, significantly increase a property’s competitiveness on the market. Capturing this ‘first impression’ effectively in listing photos has also become essential.
• Importance of strategic materials and finishes: buyers are paying increasing attention to kitchens, bathrooms, flooring and overall finishes. An outdated or poorly maintained space raises concerns about repair costs, while well-executed finishes reduce the buyer’s ‘perceived risk.’

In summary, in a market where supply struggles to keep pace with demand, properties that showcase recent updates, quality materials and modern finishes have a clear advantage. For sellers, this means that investing in finishes and materials—not just for aesthetics but for functionality—becomes a concrete strategy to improve visibility, increase appeal and potentially achieve a higher selling price.

Porcelain stoneware: why it is the most in-demand material in today’s property market

Porcelain stoneware is now one of the most widely used materials in modern homes thanks to its high durability, aesthetic versatility and ability to adapt to a wide range of interior styles. It is a ceramic material made from blends of clays and minerals fired at very high temperatures, a process that ensures compactness, long-lasting performance and minimal maintenance over time.

Its popularity in the property market is linked to its ability to mimic more expensive materials—marble, natural stone, concrete, wood—while offering superior technical performance and far easier day-to-day maintenance. For this reason, in recent years porcelain stoneware has become one of the preferred solutions both for homeowners renovating with a sale in mind and for buyers looking for modern, low-maintenance finishes.

When porcelain stoneware increases a property’s value

Porcelain stoneware remains one of the most strategic choices for homeowners who plan to sell or renovate with the goal of increasing value. Its technical properties make it particularly suitable for residential spaces: it is produced from blends of clays and minerals fired at very high temperatures, ensuring compactness and strength. This means that, unlike more traditional materials, porcelain stoneware offers greater durability, lower maintenance and fewer risks of depreciation.

From a real estate perspective, these factors become a concrete advantage during negotiations: a well-maintained porcelain stoneware floor or wall covering reduces the perception of “work to be done” and gives buyers the impression of a home that is ready, consistent in style and modern.

In Italy, around 68% of ceramic tile sales are linked to renovation or replacement projects rather than new construction. This highlights how crucial it is, in the existing property market, to choose high-quality finishes: porcelain stoneware becomes not just an aesthetic choice, but a strategic decision for increasing a property’s value.

Additionally, porcelain stoneware has the advantage of faithfully replicating more expensive or higher-maintenance materials—such as marble, natural stone, concrete or wood—without requiring the same level of upkeep over time. Its visual impact is perceived as a “quality finish,” a key element for buyers looking for well-maintained and carefully designed homes.

When it can reduce the home’s appeal

• Overly glossy or dated finishes: certain types of glossy porcelain stoneware, very popular in the 2000s, are now less appreciated. Highly reflective surfaces, outdated colours or small tile formats can make a property look dated, leading buyers to anticipate future costs to update the spaces.
• Colours or effects that are too distinctive: although porcelain stoneware comes in endless variations, overly personalised choices (strong decorative effects, dark tones in small rooms, highly characterful textures) can narrow the pool of potential buyers. The result is a lower perceived value and a slower sale.
• Poor alignment or visible grout lines: if porcelain stoneware is poorly installed — with prominent grout lines, misaligned tiles or noticeable shade variations — buyers immediately perceive it as work that needs to be redone. This not only reduces the property’s appeal but also leads to requests for discounts or pushes buyers toward better-finished competing homes.
• Inappropriate tile formats: using tiles that are too large in very small rooms (or small formats in modern open spaces) can create a less balanced visual effect. When selling, a poor aesthetic impact can reduce the property’s appeal.
• Lack of consistency between rooms: if porcelain stoneware changes drastically in colour or format from one room to another, the home feels less harmonious and less “move-in ready.” First impressions matter: noticeable flooring discontinuities can make the property seem disjointed or in need of work.

Implications for those renovating or selling

Finally, in the competitive 2025 market — marked by strong demand and limited quality supply — showcasing high-quality surfaces (such as porcelain stoneware) can translate into a real advantage in terms of price, selling time and overall appeal of the listing.

In summary, choosing porcelain stoneware is not just an aesthetic decision — it is a property strategy that speaks directly to the market and to potential buyers.

Wood and parquet: when they increase value and when they can reduce it

Wood continues to play a significant role among the most appreciated finishes on the property market, thanks to its ability to give interiors an immediate sense of warmth, elegance and comfort. For a potential buyer, a well-maintained parquet floor or wooden surface signals a “well-cared-for home,” often translating into greater trust and confidence in the property.

When wood increases a property’s value

• High-quality planks, professional installation and a neutral wood tone (such as light oak) all contribute to a stronger and more appealing sale proposition.
• Wood appreciated in sustainability-focused contexts: timber sourced from responsibly managed forests or carrying FSC certification leads to a higher perceived value.
• Properties in mid- to high-end contexts, where the feeling of “premium finishes” can truly make a difference.

When it can reduce the home’s appeal

• Dated, worn, scratched or poorly installed wood flooring: every flaw undermines the “move-in ready” feeling and makes buyers wonder how much they’ll need to spend to fix it.
• Spaces exposed to humidity or technically unsuitable conditions: in bathrooms or kitchens, wood requires more specific treatments, and some buyers may see it as a potential risk factor.
• Wood species with a very strong “character” or overly pronounced tones: highly distinctive finishes may appeal to only a small audience, reducing the pool of potential buyers.

Implications for those Renovating or Selling

Per chi sta preparando un immobile alla vendita, il gres porcellanato rappresenta una delle scelte più sicure e strategiche. È un materiale che piace alla maggior parte degli acquirenti, riduce la percezione di lavori futuri e permette di presentare la casa come “pronta da abitare” — fattore determinante nel 2025, dove il pubblico ricerca sempre più soluzioni moderne e senza interventi immediati.

However, the use of porcelain stoneware must be carefully considered. The choice of formats, colors, and finishes should be oriented toward neutral and contemporary solutions, avoiding aesthetic excesses or inconsistent combinations between rooms. Poorly installed porcelain stoneware, chosen in an outdated finish or inconsistent with the property’s style, can reduce attractiveness and lead to discount requests.

In summary: for those renovating or selling, porcelain stoneware is an investment that can truly enhance the property’s value — provided it is chosen with criteria of consistency, installation quality, and aesthetic neutrality. This way it becomes a concrete lever to increase buyer interest and improve sales timing and conditions.

Resin: when it Can Enhance a Property (and when it might Generate Concerns)

In recent years, resin has established itself as one of the most innovative solutions for covering horizontal and vertical surfaces in residential environments. A polymeric material applicable even on existing structures, it allows the creation of continuous surfaces without joints, with strong aesthetic impact and great customization. According to specialized sources, resin offers advantages such as installation without demolition, shorter construction times, and ease of maintenance.

When Resin Can Increase a Property’s Value

• Creation of modern and “turnkey” environments: for properties about to be sold, the presence of well-installed resin surfaces communicates innovation, care, and greater appeal.
• Reduction of perceived work: the possibility of applying it even on pre-existing coverings without demolition reduces time and costs, an element that buyers take into consideration.
• Premium customization: thanks to the wide range of finishes (colors, textures, material effects), resin allows for enhancing special environments – for example open-spaces, lofts, design homes – where the target buyer seeks “something more”.
• Related to reduced maintenance: waterproof materials, without joints, easy to clean; they reduce the perception that the property needs interventions.

When Resin Can Reduce Appeal or Generate Concerns

• Installation quality and non-ideal support: if the underlying surface is not adequate or the installation was not performed properly, resin can present defects (cracks, detachments, swelling) that discourage the buyer.
• Niche taste and restricted targets: the ultra-modern aesthetics of resin may not be appreciated in traditional contexts or by more conservative buyers; it risks limiting the audience.
• More complex future repairs: while routine maintenance is simple, in case of damage, repair may require specific interventions; the buyer may struggle to estimate costs and timing.
• Little familiarity in the real estate market: in some cases, buyers are not accustomed to resin and might perceive it as an “experimental material” compared to more traditional porcelain stoneware or wood.

Implications for those Renovating or Selling

If you are thinking of incorporating resin in a property to put on the market, consider the following points:

• Ensure that the installation is professional and certified; request references and technical documentation.
• Contact the installer before listing the property to have clear information about durability, maintenance, and warranty.
• Evaluate the buyer target: in a modern urban context or loft, resin can add value; in a more traditional or rural context, it might require balancing with more neutral finishes.
• When listing the property, market it by emphasizing the “modern and uniform environment, easy to maintain and ideal for immediate move-in”.
• Include in photographs well-lit resin environments that show the surface continuity: this helps reinforce the perception of quality.

Sustainability and Materials: the Evolution of Buyer Preferences in 2025

Environmental sustainability is increasingly a decisive criterion in real estate buyers’ choices. Those visiting a home in 2025 no longer evaluate only square footage and location, but also the ecological impact of finishes, material durability, and their origin. Durable, recyclable, or certified materials become factors that influence judgment on the entire property.

In this context, for example, FSC-certified wood or porcelain stoneware with low emissions are establishing themselves as clear preferences. Even more specific solutions – such as a stone-effect shower tray – today respond to multiple needs: aesthetic, functional, and environmental. Many companies offer versions made with recycled materials, reduced resin use, or low-impact production.

From a real estate perspective, this means two things. First: a property with “eco-conscious” finishes conveys a stronger message of value, quality, and lower risk of future interventions. Second: for those selling or renovating, investing in sustainable materials is not only an ethical choice but a strategic move that can improve property perception, shorten sales times, and support a higher price request. Finally, in the competitive market of 2025, the difference is no longer made just by renovation, but by the “sustainable” quality of the finish. Buyers today observe material certification, durability, maintenance, and also the property’s residual value in the medium term. Therefore, choosing modern solutions with low environmental impact is a real competitive advantage for those operating in the real estate sector.

How much Do Materials Affect Real Estate Valuation?

The choice of interior materials is not a simple aesthetic detail: it is a factor that can concretely influence the property’s valuation. Appraisal professionals emphasize that the condition, quality, and maintenance of materials are elements that buyers consider at first impact.

Influence Mechanisms

• Durability and maintenance: high-quality or modern materials require fewer future interventions. A property that “needs no work” is valued more favorably.
• Aesthetic appearance and quality perception: well-maintained surfaces, modern finishes, and appreciated materials improve first impressions and help support a higher price.

• Replacement costs and perceived risk: outdated or worn materials generate the perception that the buyer will have to bear renovation costs, and this can lead to price reductions or more complex negotiations.

How much Can it Affect?

There are no “fixed” formulas, but some analyses indicate that significant improvements in finishes can translate into:

• reduced sales times
• lower discount requested by the buyer
• possibility to request a slightly higher price compared to properties with standard finishes

What this Means for those Selling or Renovating

If you are preparing a property for sale or evaluating it from an investment perspective:

• Prioritize materials that have good aesthetic performance, reduced maintenance, and broad market target.
• Avoid investments in overly personalized or niche finishes that may restrict the buyer pool.
• Consider that not all interventions pay for themselves: increased material costs may exceed the valuation increase.
• Also evaluate the synergistic effect: a good material appears even more effective when combined with a functional layout, well-distributed rooms, and excellent general condition.

Practical Tips for those who Want to Renovate Their Home with Sales in Mind

If you intend to renovate your property with the goal of selling it, follow these three essential steps:

• Keep budget and sales objective aligned
  First define the price at which you would like to sell and evaluate how much you can invest in finishes without exceeding “market value + renovation”. Interventions that are too expensive relative to the area or type may not be repaid.
• Choose neutral, resistant, and easily manageable materials
  Materials such as neutral porcelain stoneware, good-quality light wood, well-installed resin surfaces, and modern finishes signal “ready property”. Avoid overly personal or ultra-custom choices that could limit potential buyers.
• Document and communicate the interventions
  Keep invoices, material certifications, installation references. Include in listing photos the well-maintained surfaces, materials used, and, if present, advantages in terms of maintenance or durability. A good listing with documented materials helps distinguish the property.

To learn more about how to concretely enhance a home before sale, you can read our complete guide: Renovating Before Selling: When Is It Worth Investing?

Which Material to Choose Based on Buyer Type and Objective (Sale, Rental, Investment)

Choosing the right material does not depend only on quality: it depends mainly on your objective and the type of buyer or end user.

Quick Sale of your Own Home

In this case, it is advisable to focus on neutral, resistant materials with immediate appeal. Neutral porcelain stoneware, well-finished surfaces, uniform floors are choices that generate trust and reduce “perceived work”.

Rental (Long-term or Short-term)

Here the priority is durability and ease of maintenance. Materials that resist frequent use, guests or tenants, and that simplify management. Surfaces must always appear “ready for use”.

Investment / Flipping / Renovation for Enhancement

In the scenario of renovation for investment or real estate flipping, you can afford some “premium” material if the target is mid-to-high-end or tourist. Quality wood, or modern and impressive resin surfaces, can become a plus that distinguishes the property. But you must be certain that the target appreciates it and that the investment pays off.

In all cases, evaluate the balance between: intervention cost, buyer pool breadth, and plus you can obtain in terms of price or sales timing.

An excellent material in the wrong property or for the wrong audience may not pay off. Conversely, a choice consistent with the objective and target can become a concrete competitive advantage.

Frequently Asked Questions about Materials and Real Estate Enhancement