Bengaluru: Aspirational Bengalureans are shutting the door on 2BHK homes and increasingly welcoming 3BHKs, which provide just enough space for essential activities and an extra something for health, fitness, and entertaining guests.What was seen as an upgrade on 2BHK seems to now be the primary — almost default — choice for both homebuyers and tenants, reflecting a decisive shift towards larger, lifestyle-oriented living in the city. According to a Knight Frank Research report, developers are also increasingly focusing on bigger homes to match changing buyer preferences.
In 2025, the average size of new apartments increased by 7% compared to 2024, signalling a growing demand for spacious layouts with modern features and lifestyle-driven amenities. Developers say the sweet spot is now firmly in the 3BHK category, typically ranging between 1,700sqft and 2,100sqft, within projects that offer clubhouses, swimming pools, parks, and other community facilities.The trend is visible in project planning too. Data from NoBroker Buy-Sell Report shows that 2025 was less about the number of launches and more about scale, with developers betting on larger gated communities and mega townships rather than smaller, standalone developments, aligning with buyer preference for integrated living environments.Explaining the shift, Zahed Mehmood, treasurer of Bangalore Realtors’ Association (India chapter), said demand is strongest in areas witnessing infrastructure growth. “North Bengaluru, Outer Ring Road, Whitefield, and parts of south Bengaluru are seeing high demand because of Metro expansion, IT parks, schools, and other facilities coming up. Central Bengaluru continues to attract high-net worth buyers, though options are limited by smaller apartment sizes,” he said. Buyers, he added, are stretching budgets for two key reasons: “Home loan EMIs are more manageable with eased interest rates, and many — especially in IT and tech — prefer buying a bigger home once rather than upgrading later.”Developers point to a fundamental change in how homes are perceived after the Covid pandemic. Sunil Pareek, executive director of Assetz Property Group, said homes are no longer just about emotional security. “They are now multifunctional spaces that must support work-from-home, hobbies, fitness, storage, entertaining, and daily living. This shift is reinforced by Bengaluru’s position as a hub for global capability centres,” he said.Pareek noted that buyers who once opted for 1,300–1,400-sqft homes are now upgrading to 1,800-1,900sqft units. “Three bedrooms are becoming essential — for self-use, children or guests, and flexible work or hobby needs — cementing 3BHKs as the new normal,” he said.Better long-term assetsKarishmah Singh, president (sales, marketing and CRM), Sattva Group, said larger homes are increasingly viewed as long-term assets. “Bigger flats enable generational wealth creation, with strong price appreciation and relevance across life stages justifying higher ticket sizes,” she said. She added that the trend is evident in eastern and southern micro-markets and is gaining momentum in the north, driven by airport-led growth, new business districts, and improved connectivity. “Access to green spaces, open areas, and community-centric design has emerged as a key factor shaping buyer preferences across the city,” she said.A peep into rentalsThe preference for larger homes is mirrored in the city’s rental market as well. Bengaluru’s rents, which surged 15.7% quarter on quarter in Jan-March 2025, continued to rise by another 2.6% in July-Sept, according to the Magicbricks Rental Index, even as demand softened slightly. Semi-furnished 2BHK and 3BHK units dominated tenant enquiries, particularly across IT corridors. Mid-range homes priced between Rs 10,000 and Rs 30,000 a month saw the highest rental traction.Comfort, wealth creation & 3BHK* Lifestyle and comfort: Bigger homes make entertaining, socialising, and daily living more comfortable* Extra space for work and hobbies: People want room for a home office, gym, study, music corner, or personal bar* Room for family & guests: Allows space for children, visiting relatives, or flexible use* Investment & wealth creation: Long-term assets that appreciate over time and suit different life stages* Location & connectivity: Well-connected areas with Metro, schools, IT parks, green spaces, and planned communities are in high demand
