What Are Apartment Amenities? 33 Best Amenities and Must-Haves

When looking for an apartment, people usually search for rental options based on location, the number of bedrooms, monthly rent, and amenities. Popular amenities include a fitness center, pool, play space for children, community room, and parking garage. A pet-friendly building or community is another must-have for some, while laundry and strong wifi connectivity are just as important.

What Are Apartment Amenities?

Apartment amenities are the nonessential features of an apartment that make life easier, more enjoyable, or more productive. These are not items like running water or heat in the winter that you should have everywhere but are certain perks a building may offer that make them more appealing than other options comparable in size, price, or quality.

Amenities are additional features or comforts inside a property or building that will add extra value to residents and their experience of the facility. While an apartment with a stove is essential, having an event space in the building with a catering kitchen capable of hosting parties and large gatherings would be an amenity.

Are Apartment Amenities Free?

While some amenities are built into the rent, at some properties, residents will be asked to pay an amenity fee separate from rent for access to the facilities, such as a gym or a rooftop balcony.

While you may opt out of the fee if you don't plan to use the amenities, an amenity fee, facility fee, or common charges are something to consider as an additional monthly expense. Ask about any fees at the lease signing and confirm what they are or if they're optional.

Apartment Amenities vs. Community Amenities

Apartment rentals have two types of amenities—apartment versus community amenities. Community amenities are shared communal amenities like a pool and fitness center, a children's play area, or a barbecue area.

In contrast, apartment amenities are private features like an in-unit washer and dryer, private balcony, or high-end appliances.

Common Apartment Amenities

Apartment Amenities

• Air conditioning: Understand whether the rental offers central air, in-window units, or neither. Some apartments, like historic buildings, may have ordinances against in-window units.
• Deck, patio, or private balcony: These features extend the living space outdoors.
• Dishwasher: Washing dishes by hand is time-consuming and can waste water. Energy-efficient dishwashers use less water per cycle than hand-washing, a boon for the environment.
• Fireplace: Fireplaces look nice, add ambiance to a room, and can reduce energy costs from your heating bill. Confirm whether you will be allowed to use the fireplace while renting.
• Hardwood floors: Hardwood floors look nice and are easier to clean and maintain.
• High-end appliances or fixtures: New appliances and fixtures are attractive, but expect that they may increase the monthly fee.
• Energy-efficient appliances: By renting an apartment with energy-efficient appliances, you can save money by reducing energy costs and conserving fossil fuels.
• In-unit laundry machines: A washer and dryer in the apartment is private, saves a trip to the laundromat or cleaners, and gives you clean clothes within hours versus days.
• Large windows, picturesque views, or glare-free or tinted glass: Good quality windows can mean the difference in drafts and energy-saving; large windows can bring up the temperature in a home, but they can also be beautiful, letting in natural light and views. Glare-free or tinted glass can help keep the sun's harsh rays from affecting items in the home or rising temperatures.
  
• Walk-in closets: These oversized closets double as a space to organize clothing and accessories while providing a changing room.

Community Amenities

• Pet friendly with pet amenities: If pets are welcome in a building, how those pets are treated and cared for once on the property could be considered an amenity. Does the apartment complex offer doggie daycare, a groomer, and an on-site pet walker, or is there a designated dog park area or a trail for dog walks?
• Swimming pools: Olympic pools or heated pools with kiddie features or hot tubs are a great perk.
• Barbecue or outdoor kitchen: A shared outdoor grilling space for cookouts is a fun option for hosting guests, small parties, or get-togethers with other residents.
• Clubhouse, lounge, common areas, community garden, firepit: These multi-purpose spaces can be reserved for parties and meetings. Some buildings and communities will direct community classes, events, and special holiday celebrations.
• Coworking space, library, study, or media center: These areas usually include free community wifi with meeting seating and easy laptop plug-in ports. These benefits are particularly beneficial for people who work from home.
• Gym, fitness center, yoga room, jogging paths, and sports courts: A fully-stocked gym, sports courts, walking paths, and workout rooms can save you from having a gym membership, saving time and gas for an external gym.
• Children's playground, playroom, or child care services: Playgrounds, sandboxes, swing sets, and indoor playrooms entice young families. Similarly, benefits can include good schools or reliable children's care centers in the building or community.
  
• Restaurants, grocery stores, or children's services: Nearby restaurants and grocery stores make daily life easier and are considered a big perk for people who like easy living at their fingertips.

Building Amenities

• Concierge with doorperson or porter: Having elevator access, a doorman, or a designated (and secure) package room are all amenities people will appreciate to varying degrees, depending on their lifestyle.
• Elevator: If you have an infant with a stroller, make large food shopping trips, or go on frequent trips with suitcases, you'll want an elevator, especially if you live on a high floor.
• Security, gated entrance, secure entering: If you live alone or are concerned about safety, paying a higher rent or fees to live in a building with a doorman, security cameras, a security guard, or gated access may be worth it.
• Covered parking, designated parking space: For those with a car, amenities such as on-site garages, covered parking, or assigned parking spaces are much more appealing.
• Electrical vehicle charging station: Electric vehicle (EV) charging stations help attract and retain residents and foster environmental sustainability.
• Bike parking: For cyclists, bike storage and bike racks may be an appreciated amenity.
• Transportation nearby: Those without cars may appreciate being near a subway or bus stop. Some buildings and communities may offer a courtesy shuttle to the nearest train stop or shopping center or near a subway or bus stop.
  
• Storage area: Some buildings offer extra storage areas or storage lockers for an additional fee, usually in the basement.
• Package delivery: Automated package room or central location for dropoff, acceptance, and delivery.
• Maintenance crew: Many large buildings have an on-site superintendent or person to assist with maintenance requests. Maintenance requests can sometimes be made via an online ordering system.
• Laundry or dry-cleaning service: The building may have a shared laundry room, on-site laundry service, or dry cleaner.
• Online rent payment: It's a perk to handle rent payments online and renew lease agreements.
• Smart building: With remote access to smart features like entry, lighting, locks, and thermostats, you can allow people into your home remotely or control the temperature while away.
• Sound system or intercom system: Some buildings offer video or voice-only intercoms to identify guests at the door or the entrance.
  
• Garbage, recycling, composting station: Some buildings have on-site composting, a recycling center, or a doorstep recycling collection.
  

Most Important Amenities to Look For

Before signing a lease, ensure you are going to get these most important amenities:

• Heating
• Air conditioning
• In-unit thermostat (smart thermostats)
• In-unit appliances
• Storage space
• Outdoor space
• Dedicated parking spot(s)
  

Benefits of Amenities for Renters and Owners

When you hunt for an apartment, prioritize the most relevant amenities to your lifestyle. Consider what will make living in this new space (for months or even years) more pleasant and what isn't worth the extra rent or facility fees. If you love working out, a gym in the building would be a significant asset. If a weekend swim is more appealing, look for a rooftop pool.

Landlords or building owners, managers, and developers must determine which amenities will offer the most return on their investment. On-site childcare is a worthwhile investment if it brings families with steady incomes (and long-term leases) into the building.

For a landlord, a pool requires an initial allocation of space, is a considerable expense to build, and has significant ongoing maintenance costs—but it may be worth it if it keeps the building full and renters or condo owners happy.

Amenities Moving Forward

Apartment amenities shift over time because of demand. A pool and an in-building gym may not be enough, or the right amenities to attract and keep tenants. On-demand amenities such as enhanced concierge services, dog walking, pet sitting, premium package handling services, and electric car charging stations, are on the rise.

The wellness trend may be the next wave to shift what amenities are offered. That may look like meditation rooms, on-site massage therapists, or healthy meal delivery services. What will happen to on-site gyms? Buildings may partner with nearby fitness centers to make space for evolving amenities.