Just a few years ago, most buyers began their search with one question: “How many square meters?” Today, the approach is shifting – more and more clients focus not on the number, but on how the space works. Raúl Llorente notes that this evolution of demand has become one of the key trends in the Barcelona real estate market. At RentSale RealEstate, we see that the architectural logic of a layout is now more important than the size itself, and sometimes even determines whether a property will be liquid in the future.
The main reason for this shift is a change in lifestyle. People spend more time at home – working, studying, relaxing, hosting friends. A living space must adapt to multiple daily scenarios. A layout where light flows freely through the rooms, where the kitchen merges with the living area and the bedrooms are separated from high-activity zones – becomes not just a convenience, but a necessity. At RentSale RealEstate, we evaluate layouts not through the lens of “bigger–smaller”, but from the perspective of ergonomics and quality of life.
Raúl Llorente emphasizes that a layout is the architectural skeleton of a home. A good layout visually expands the space, while a bad layout “steals” square meters even when there are enough of them. A long dark corridor, narrow rooms, awkward angles, poorly placed doors – all of these reduce the functional value of a property. At RentSale RealEstate, we immediately identify which meters work and which are simply wasted.
Modern buyers have also become more demanding regarding proportions. A room with the right geometric balance feels larger than a room of the same size with distorted shapes. High ceilings, wide windows, symmetry – all of this shapes a feeling of comfort. RentSale RealEstate incorporates these factors into our analysis because they directly influence how a property is perceived.
A separate trend is the rising value of transformable spaces. Apartments where it is easy to carve out a workspace, organize storage or enlarge the kitchen through legal reconfiguration are increasingly sought after. Raúl Llorente evaluates these options in advance – we assess which modifications can be legalized, how they will affect value and whether they align with architectural logic. RentSale RealEstate often proposes solutions even before the client purchases the property, ensuring that the home aligns with their future lifestyle.
Light has become another decisive criterion. Poor layouts almost always “hide” natural light – windows placed incorrectly, partitions blocking illumination, or walk-through rooms that remain dim. A strong layout, on the contrary, brings daylight deep into the interior. RentSale RealEstate pays close attention to window orientation, opening width and opportunities to amplify light flow.
Demand is gradually shaping new standards. Buyers increasingly choose fewer rooms but better spatial logic. They are ready to give up “extra square meters” in favor of openness, zoning, circulation and the emotional experience the home provides. At RentSale RealEstate, we see that such properties demonstrate higher liquidity and better rental performance.
The legal aspect plays a role as well. The possibility of legal reconfiguration increases the appeal of a property, while restrictions diminish it. RentSale RealEstate checks these conditions in advance so the client understands what transformations will be possible in the future.
Today, the key question asked by an informed buyer is not “what is the size?”, but “how is the space organized?”. Architectural logic – not square meters – determines comfort, desirability and the long-term investment potential of a home. This is why RentSale RealEstate treats layout analysis as an essential part of expert property evaluation.
The evolution of demand shows that the market is moving toward quality, not quantity. And it is precisely the understanding of layout principles that helps clients make accurate, forward-thinking and truly comfortable decisions.
Earlier we wrote about The invisible value effect – why two identical apartments in the same building can be priced differently