"Between the lines: The return to analog hobbies and spaces is about more than nostalgia for pre-internet times, researchers say. A home where "technology is always in the background, working and listening, feels anxiety-producing" instead of restorative, architect Yan M. Wang tells Axios. Rising costs for smart devices, new advances rendering old systems obsolete and tech troubleshooting can also cause homeowners headaches."
"State of play: Reading nooksare now being mentioned 48% more often in Zillow listings compared to a year ago, reflecting "the growing demand for unplugged relaxation at home," according to Zillow's 2026 Home Trends Report. Design media brand Dwell named the decline of smart homes a top trend for 2025 and beyond. Wealthy Los Angeles house hunters have started shunning WiFi-enabled, voice-activated appliances "to escape the $100 billion home-automation industry," according to the Hollywood Reporter."
"Meanwhile, landlines have found new fans - many of them parents who want to keep their kids off screens, the Washington Post reports. Some Gen Zers are bringing back corded phones for an escape (and the aesthetic). Yes, but: Landlines remain rare nationwide. Roughly 79% of adults and 87% of children lived in homes with only wireless phones by the end of 2024, according to a federal survey."
A shift toward analog wellness is prompting some homeowners to replace smart-home systems with buttons, switches and digital-detox corners. Constant invisible technology in the home can produce anxiety rather than restore calm, and rising device costs, obsolescence and troubleshooting add frustrations. Reading nooks have surged in real-estate listings, and design outlets cite the decline of smart homes as a growing trend. Wealthier buyers in some markets are rejecting WiFi-enabled appliances, while parents and some Gen Zers revive landlines and corded phones. Smart features may retain value in tech-heavy cities but offer weaker ROI where buyers seek to unplug.
Read at Axios
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