Moment Chicago

In the world of multi-family development, amenities are no longer extras - they’re expectations. But here’s the problem: most amenity spaces look great in renderings and brochures, yet sit empty once residents move in. They’re built for marketing, not for real life. 

If you're investing in amenities that are supposed to drive resident retention, build community, and elevate your brand, they must deliver more than visual appeal. They need to function. They need a purpose. They need to connect with the way people actually live, work, and socialize today. 

Let’s explore how to create multi-family amenities that work, not just look good. 

The Big Question: How to Design Amenities Residents Actually Use

Most developers and property managers approach amenity spaces with a long checklist: coworking lounge, fitness center, rooftop, game room, entertainment kitchen, pet spa. The problem isn’t the list, it’s the lack of amenity design strategy behind it. 

To design amenity spaces that stay active long after lease-up, you need to understand who your residents are, how they spend their time, and what will bring them out of their units. 

Start With Purpose Before Furniture 



Every amenity should answer at least one of these resident needs: 

• Connection 
• Convenience 
• Productivity 
• Wellness 
• Escape 

If it doesn’t support one of these outcomes, it won’t serve a long-term purpose - and it will fail. 

Mistake #1: Designing for Show, Not Real Life 

It’s easy to be seduced by aesthetics - Pinterest lounges, exposed brick, neon signs, velvet bar stools. But when amenities focus only on looks, they end up like that beautiful restaurant with terrible acoustics. You visit once, never return. 

Design Shift: Form Follows Function 

A strong amenity design strategy is always built on a deep understanding of how people move, behave, and interact in space. Start with layout and flow, then layer in brand and style. 

Mistake #2: Ignoring Hybrid Work Needs 

Let’s be real, co-work amenity spaces are no longer a "nice touch," they're an expectation. Remote work is here to stay, and building lounges with couches and bar tables doesn’t count as thoughtful coworking design. 

Design Shift: Provide Real Work Functionality 

Residents need: 

• Power at every seat 
• Quiet zones for focus 
• Private rooms for video calls 
• Ergonomic seating 
• Smart acoustic planning 
• Blended lounge + work zones 

Amenity spaces that support productivity increase time spent on property—which boosts resident experience and retention. 

Mistake #3: Treating Fitness Like a Box to Check 

Most fitness rooms in multi-family buildings haven’t evolved since 2002: a few treadmills and a mirror wall. But fitness and wellness amenities are now experience-driven and lifestyle-based. 

Design Shift: Think Wellness Over Workout 



Today’s residents want: 

• Mind-body zones for yoga and mobility 
• Strength training space with turf or functional rigs 
• Recovery tools like foam rollers and stretching stations 
• Group class opportunities 
• Indoor/outdoor flow 
• Integrated technology 

Wellness isn’t a fad, it’s a retention strategy. 

Mistake #4: Underestimating the Power of Hospitality Design 

Your building competes with more than new developments, it competes with everyday destinations your residents love: boutique gyms, inspiring coffee shops, social clubs, and hotel lounges. 

Design Shift: Bring Hospitality Home 

Amenity spaces must feel curated, layered, and elevated: 

• Mix textures and lighting 
• Incorporate biophilic elements 
• Use conversational furniture groupings 
• Add focal moments and brand expression 
• Design spaces that feel like destinations 

Residents want spaces worth sharing - literally. Instagram has changed expectations. 

Mistake #5: Creating Spaces Without Activation 

Even perfectly designed amenities fail without programming. Empty rooms don’t build community, activated spaces do. 

Design Shift: Program for People 

Activate amenities with: 

• Weekly co-work coffee hours 
• Resident-run clubs (yoga, gaming, entrepreneurship) 
• Chef demos or mixology night in the community kitchen 
• Outdoor movie series 
• Pet Happy Hours 
• Local vendor partnerships

Space + Experience = Retention. 

Final Thoughts 

An amenity space isn’t a room, it’s a loyalty strategy. When thoughtfully designed, it becomes a competitive edge that leases units faster and keeps residents longer. 

If you’re planning a development or repositioning an existing property, invest in amenity space design that balances lifestyle, community, and marketability. Because at the end of the day, amenities aren’t about square footage, they’re about connection. 

Let’s Build Better Amenity Experiences 

At KDI, we specialize in amenity experiences that feel real, not staged. We plan, design, and furnish multi-family spaces with strategy and soul, backed by 20 years of industry experience. 

Ready to create an amenity strategy residents will actually use? Let’s talk.