Which Apartment Amenities Are Actually Worth It?

When you're apartment hunting, it's easy to get distracted by a long amenities list.

Fitness center. Resident lounge. Package room. Rooftop deck. In-unit laundry. Coworking space. Pet amenities. Parking.

They all sound great, but which apartment amenities will actually make a difference in your everyday life?

The answer depends on how you live.

Instead of simply counting how many amenities an apartment community offers, think about which ones will save you time, make your routine easier, or give you more ways to enjoy where you live.

Here are some apartment amenities renters may want to prioritize during their search.

In-Unit Laundry: One of the Biggest Everyday Conveniences

Laundry may not be the flashiest apartment amenity, but it's one you'll probably use every week.

Having a washer and dryer inside your apartment means you don't have to carry laundry through the building, wait for shared machines, or plan your day around an open laundry room.

For busy professionals, students, or anyone with an unpredictable schedule, that convenience can make a major difference.

Who benefits most?
Renters who value convenience, have busy schedules, or simply don't want laundry day to become an event.

What to ask during your apartment tour:
Does the apartment include an in-unit washer and dryer, offer hookups, or use a shared laundry room?

Where can you find it?
In-unit laundry is available at several Walnut Capital communities, including The Commonwealth Building, The Washington at Chatham, Bakery Living, Forbes Terrace, Beacon Commons, Pearl Street Townhomes, and Walnut on Forbes. Laundry options vary by property, so be sure to confirm what's included in the apartment you're considering.

Fitness Centers: Worth It If You’ll Actually Use Them

An apartment fitness center can save residents the time, cost, and travel involved with maintaining a separate gym membership.

But the key question isn't simply whether the building has a gym.

Ask what the space actually includes.

Does it have cardio equipment? Strength-training equipment? Space to stretch? Can you realistically complete the type of workout you usually do?

A fitness center is most valuable when it fits into your existing routine. Being able to exercise without driving across Pittsburgh or making another stop after work can make it much easier to stay consistent.

Who benefits most?
Residents who work out regularly, professionals with busy schedules, or renters who want convenient wellness options close to home.

At several Walnut Capital communities, fitness spaces are designed to give residents a convenient place to work out without leaving their building. Hot Metal Flats offers an on-site fitness center, while The Washington at Chatham features both a fitness center and wellness studio. Bakery Living includes a fitness center and Peloton equipment, and Highland Village offers an on-site fitness center with Peloton equipment as well.

Coworking & Work-From-Home Spaces

Working from your couch might sound great at first.

A few months later? Maybe not.

Dedicated coworking areas, lounges, conference rooms, or other work-friendly spaces can be especially useful for remote and hybrid workers who want somewhere outside their apartment to answer emails, take a call, or change scenery during the workday.

Even if you don't work remotely full-time, these spaces can be useful for studying, personal projects, or the occasional work-from-home day.

Who benefits most?
Remote workers, hybrid employees, graduate students, and renters who don't want their apartment to double as their only workspace.

What to look for:
Comfortable seating, access to outlets, reliable Wi-Fi, tables or desks, and spaces that feel practical enough to actually use.

Where can you find it?
The Commonwealth Building offers a resident coworking space, while The Washington at Chatham has a conference room and business center. At Bakery Living, residents can use business-center space and study nooks when they need a change of scenery from their apartment.

Outdoor Spaces: More Useful Than They Look on a Floor Plan

A courtyard, rooftop, terrace, balcony, or outdoor lounge may seem like a bonus when you're touring apartments during the winter.
Then spring and summer arrive.

Outdoor spaces can give residents somewhere to work outside, eat dinner, meet friends, relax after work, or simply get some fresh air without leaving home.

Instead of asking whether an apartment community has outdoor space, think about how residents can actually use it.

A rooftop deck isn't just a rooftop deck. It can be a place to unwind after work, gather with friends before heading out, work remotely on a nice afternoon, or enjoy views of Pittsburgh.

Who benefits most?
Renters who enjoy entertaining, working outside, spending time outdoors, or having additional space beyond their apartment.

Outdoor options look different from one Walnut Capital community to another. The Commonwealth Building has a fourth-floor sundeck with lounge seating, grills, and a firepit, while Hot Metal Flats offers a large patio and grilling stations. Pearl Street Townhomes feature rooftop terraces, and select homes at Forbes Terrace include patios and private outdoor space.

Resident Lounges & Community Spaces

You may not think much about a resident lounge while apartment hunting.

But shared spaces can become an extension of your apartment.

They give residents somewhere to host friends, watch a game, work outside their unit, meet neighbors, or simply change scenery.

This can be especially valuable for renters in studios and one-bedroom apartments who want access to more gathering space without paying for a larger apartment.

Who benefits most?
Residents who like hosting, working outside their apartment, meeting neighbors, or having access to more space when they need it.

Where can you find it?
Hot Metal Flats includes contemporary lounge spaces and a recreation and game room, while Bakery Living offers lobby lounges, a media room, reservable social spaces, and study nooks. Walnut on Highland also features a party room, patio, recreation and game room, and reservable social spaces.

Package Rooms & Secure Delivery Areas

If you order groceries, clothes, household items, or just about anything online, package delivery is worth asking about before you sign a lease.

Apartment communities may offer package rooms, lockers, controlled-access delivery areas, or other systems designed to make deliveries easier to manage.

A good package setup can save you from missed deliveries and give you a predictable place to retrieve your orders.

Who benefits most?
Pretty much anyone who regularly shops online.

Questions to ask:
Where are packages delivered? Is the area secured? Will you receive a notification when your package arrives?

Package acceptance is available at communities including Bakery Living, The Washington at Chatham, The Commonwealth Building, Walnut on Highland, and Walnut Crossings, giving residents a designated process for deliveries instead of leaving packages completely up to chance.

Parking: A Major Amenity in Pittsburgh

Parking can have a much bigger impact on your day-to-day apartment experience than renters sometimes realize.

Depending on the Pittsburgh neighborhood, your options could include garage parking, surface parking, street parking, permit parking, or no dedicated parking at all.

If you drive to work every day, regularly leave the city, or don't want to search for a parking space at the end of the day, having convenient parking may be one of the most valuable amenities on your list.

On the other hand, renters who live in walkable neighborhoods or rely on public transportation may prioritize other features instead.

Who benefits most?
Daily drivers, commuters, households with multiple vehicles, and renters moving to neighborhoods where street parking can be limited.

Parking options vary throughout the Walnut Capital portfolio. Walnut on Forbes offers garage parking, Forbes Terrace includes reserved on-site parking, and University Commons has on-site parking available for an additional fee. Communities such as Bakery Living, Hot Metal Flats, Walnut on Highland, and Walnut Crossings also offer garage parking options.

Pet Amenities: Look Beyond “Pet-Friendly”

If you're moving with a dog or cat, seeing the words pet-friendly is a good start.

But it shouldn't be your last question.

For dog owners in particular, access to outdoor space, nearby parks, walking routes, elevators, and pet-friendly common areas can all affect everyday life.

A property may allow pets without necessarily being convenient for pet owners.

Who benefits most?
Anyone moving with a pet.

What to ask:
Are there pet fees or breed restrictions? Is there green space nearby? Does the community offer a dog run, pet washing station, or other pet-focused features?

Some Walnut Capital communities go beyond simply allowing pets. Bakery Living offers a pet relief area and pet washing station, while Hot Metal Flats has both a pet relief area and pet washing station. The Commonwealth Building offers a dog park and pet washing station, and select Hempstead Road Apartments include pet relief areas and access to a dog park.

Smart Access & Building Security

Another apartment feature that can make everyday life easier is how you actually enter your building and apartment.

Controlled building access, mobile entry systems, secure common areas, and guest access tools can make arriving home, letting in visitors, and managing deliveries more convenient.

This is especially worth considering if you live alone, frequently receive visitors, or prefer the flexibility of modern access systems.

Who benefits most?
Renters who prioritize convenience, controlled building access, and easy guest entry.

Where can you find it?
Access systems vary by property. Communities including Hot Metal Flats, Walnut on Highland, and Walnut Crossings feature advanced key-card access, while other Walnut Capital properties may use different controlled-access systems. Ask your leasing consultant how residents, guests, and deliveries access the specific community you're considering.

Location Might Be the Best “Amenity” of All

When comparing apartments, it’s easy to focus on what’s inside the building. But what’s right outside your front door can be just as important.

From grabbing your morning coffee and walking to your favorite restaurants to having easy access to grocery stores, parks, fitness studios, and public transportation, the right location can make everyday life a whole lot easier.

The best apartment isn’t just about where you live. It’s about the lifestyle that comes with it. When searching for your next home, consider both the amenities inside your building and everything the surrounding neighborhood has to offer.