Multifamily Amenities to Budget for in 2026: What Residents Really Want

Today’s prospective residents expect more than surface-level perks — a lonely treadmill or an empty lounge simply won’t cut it. They’re looking for all-inclusive wellness and multifamily amenities that meet the growing need for tech-enabled lifestyles.

Delivering on these expectations doesn’t require a massive budget. All it takes is making smart, scalable investments that balance long-term return on investment (ROI) with quick impact. This means taking a strategic approach to multifamily amenities management to attract new residents, retain existing ones, and enhance the daily resident experience, without increasing operating costs.

Here’s where you can focus your resources and how to get the most from your amenity strategy in 2026.

What Residents Expect From Modern Multifamily Amenities

Modern residents look beyond square footage. They seek community amenities that enhance their lifestyle. According to NMHC's Renter Preferences Survey, people are prioritizing smart technology, holistic wellness, and community-driven gym design.

Across generations, from busy professionals to active retirees, residents want features that offer connection and make daily life easier and healthier. Your multifamily amenity planning strategy should reflect these priorities.

Keeping in mind digital access, self-care, and a hybrid routine, must-have multifamily amenities for an urban lifestyle​ now include the following:

• Mobile apps that let residents reserve community spaces and report maintenance issues in their unit or shared spaces
• On-demand fitness classes and functional training zones
• Co-working lounges and multipurpose common areas
• Wellness spaces for yoga, meditation, and recovery
• High-speed Wi-Fi and smart-home features

This shift isn’t about replacing traditional spaces but enhancing them with tech-forward, flexible experiences that meet evolving resident expectations. For example, some properties are revamping static, low-use gyms with wellness studios that include guided exercises and meditation sessions. These upgrades show residents that you're investing in their quality of life, not just appearances.

How to Prioritize Multifamily Amenities That Drive ROI

Not all amenities deliver equal value or justify their cost. To drive real results in 2026, focus on what directly improves occupancy, retention, rent growth, and daily engagement. Skip what seems impressive but fades after move-in. Instead, prioritize amenities that prove their worth through measurable outcomes.

Digital fitness tools boost ROI by reducing space needs and offering on-demand access alongside in-person options. They’re scalable, adaptable, and designed to meet residents where they are, without straining staff or budgets. They make things easier for property managers by automating class scheduling and tracking resident participation, eliminating the need for on-site instructors or the newest equipment. This reduces overhead costs tied to staffing, equipment maintenance, and underused amenity space.

For example, tech-enabled solutions like Fitness On Demand deliver premium wellness experiences without the fixed costs of fully staffed gyms or on-site studios. Residents enjoy 24/7 workouts that match their schedules, reducing complaints about access, crowding, and variety, boosting their satisfaction. For property managers, this translates to smoother operations and a better resident experience.

While some wellness amenities are built to impress, others are built for efficiency. Use these five factors to guide your 2026 amenity strategy:

Frequency of use

Will residents engage with an amenity regularly or just once? High-ROI amenities support daily habits like fitness or stress relief. For instance, properties that offer on-demand fitness see more weekday engagement than those with traditional gym equipment alone.

Scalability and flexibility

Future-ready multifamily amenities evolve with your community. Unlike physical spaces that require expensive remodels or staff training, digital platforms can be updated or expanded instantly. Remote content updates and new features keep your amenities fresh and in sync with resident needs.

Operational efficiency

If an amenity reduces the need for staffing, maintenance, or complex scheduling, it’s a win. Choose self-service options that support your property managers while delivering great customer service. Virtual tools also simplify scheduling, communication, and reporting across multiple properties.

Impact on retention

Amenities that improve health, reduce stress, and support work-life balance create emotional ties, leading to higher satisfaction and lower vacancy rates. According to the National Apartment Association, communities that prioritize resident experience and amenities see higher retention than those without active programming.

Competitive differentiation

In a crowded multifamily market, flexible wellness offerings attract residents who value convenience and personalization. When prospective renters compare two properties, digital wellness can often tip the scales in your favor.

Virtual wellness platforms like Fitness On Demand check all these boxes and offer real-time usage data. They also allow you to refine programs and optimize investments without expensive upgrades.

Top Multifamily Amenities Gaining Momentum for 2026

Multifamily amenities are evolving fast, and 2026 will bring even more momentum toward adaptable, tech-enabled solutions.

Here’s what’s gaining ground in terms of the best amenities for your complex:

1. Coworking and : Remote work continues to shape community amenities. Even small areas, like corners of lounges or former mailrooms, can become productivity zones with strong Wi-Fi, soundproofing, and sleek furnishings.
2. Smart access and EV charging: Digital locks, mobile key fobs, and EV stations are no longer luxuries​. Without EV charging, properties risk falling behind modern expectations. Some communities even offer in-app energy usage tracking or reserved EV parking as top outdoor amenities for multifamily properties for added convenience.
3. Package lockers and cold storage: With e-commerce booming, secure delivery solutions are must-haves. Temperature-controlled lockers that support meal-kit delivery and grocery storage are small details with a big impact on the resident experience and property management workload.
4. App-based booking and virtual services: Mobile-first tools allow residents to RSVP to community events, schedule amenities, track service requests, and access virtual wellness from their phones. This gives residents agency and improves customer service while reducing calls and emails to the front desk.

Why Fitness and Wellness Can’t Be Optional in 2026

Wellness isn’t just an add-on anymore. It’s a core expectation for today’s renters. That’s why it should be central to your multifamily amenity planning.

Fitness offerings influence physical and mental well-being. They create social connections, reduce churn, and support rent growth, which are major concerns during budget season in times of rising interest rates.

You don’t need a full gym to offer meaningful options. Mindfulness areas, nutritional tools, and virtual classes are high-impact additions that work in any space. A meditation pod in a quiet corner or a wall-mounted screen offering 10-minute stretch sessions can be just as effective as an elaborate gym renovation.

These wellness amenities strengthen communal experiences, improve mood, and support retention. They’re especially critical for residents dealing with stress or burnout.

But in all this, the key is scalability, and that’s exactly what Fitness On Demand provides.

Virtual Wellness and Fitness: The Most Scalable Amenity in 2026

Virtual fitness is a smart, future-ready choice for modern multifamily communities. It provides residents with personalized access to health content and brings high-quality wellness programming to your community, without costly renovations or extra staffing.

With virtual wellness platforms like Fitness On Demand, your multifamily amenities become more dynamic, delivering these aspects:

• A large digital library of wellness and fitness classes
• Guided yoga and meditation content
• App-based access and scheduling
• Touchscreens in gyms or flex areas
• Streaming from any device, anytime, anywhere

Whether it's a 6 a.m. workout or 10 p.m. cooldown, these options work for every schedule. You can even use data insights to evolve offerings, which is something traditional amenities can’t do.

How to Budget for Amenities That Add Long-Term Value: Smart Tips

Amenity planning doesn’t require an all-in investment. Strategic layering is what drives value.

To get started, just install a tv screen (which you probably already have) in a gym, clubhouse, or lounge, then give residents access via app or unit login. Customize the experience to match your brand, broadcast community events, and track usage to adjust over time. It’s a self-service wellness hub built for today’s needs and tomorrow’s residents.

Use this three-tier framework to guide your amenity strategy:

1. Quick wins

Start with amenities that are affordable, fast to implement, and immediately boost the resident experience. Digital wellness platforms, app-based amenity scheduling, and touchscreen displays in shared spaces maximize multifamily ROI with minimal disruption. These upgrades also generate usage data, giving you early insights into what residents actually engage with, helping guide future decisions.

2. Phase in enhancements

Once the basics are in place, expand with scalable features that meet evolving expectations. Add EV charging stations to align with green-living trends. Convert underutilized areas into coworking nooks. Introduce mobile-first tools for managing maintenance, deliveries, and community events. These updates create long-term convenience without adding complexity or increasing staffing needs.

3. Long-term investments

Plan for impactful, brand-elevating amenities that support retention and position your property competitively. Rooftop lounges with city views, outdoor kitchens for gatherings, wellness-focused outdoor zones, and fitness centers integrated with smart technology can help. These investments are ideal during budget season planning and can be rolled out in phases to manage costs while maintaining momentum.

Fitness On Demand: A Smarter Amenity Investment

If you’re rethinking wellness, Fitness On Demand is your go-to solution built for future-ready multifamily living and evolving resident expectations. Our platform transforms any screen into a fully branded wellness hub with no dedicated fitness room required. Whether you're managing a mid-rise or luxury high-rise, it supports your broader multifamily amenities management strategy with ease.

Residents can access group classes and individual sessions that fit their schedules and interests. Property managers can customize content, track engagement, and adjust programming in real time to keep it in line with current needs, or just set it once and let the platform run your schedule. Scalable, data-driven, and easy to implement, Fitness On Demand elevates the resident experience while delivering measurable returns.

Request your demo today and see the future of amenity planning in action.