WHAT MILLENNIALS WANT IN A HOME
E very generation has its needs, wants, and preferences. Millennials, seeking to establish households and create unique spaces of their own, are no exception.
But they’re not looking for the same types of domiciles or interior designs that their parents favored – home decorating trends they prefer are distinctive, home improvement and interior design experts agree.
“Millennials want spaces that are efficient in terms of use and energy. They aren’t interested in large, ornate houses in the suburbs. Rather, they prefer something smaller, more flexible, more personalized, and closer to restaurants as well as a location that’s close to work and things to do,” explained Marco Bizzley, a certified interior designer in San Diego.
Leonard Ang, CEO of iPropertyManagement, agrees: “Millennials are reaching a point where they are aging out of their starter homes and starting to look for better, longer-term options. This means they are being more thoughtful about decor and built-in features,” he says. “A lot of the changes we see with millennials boil down to their tastes and aesthetics rather than practical differences from previous generations. Like most generations, they are reclaiming styles from a few different past eras.”
In addition, they are prioritizing finishes and home accessories made from natural resources, including stone, wood, marble and fibers. “This cohort is finding creative ways to bring nature inside their homes. Being around nature improves their mood and alleviates stress and depression. Plus, it’s all about sustainability and preserving natural resources,” says Bizzley.
Multifunctional furniture is also hot, including wall-hanging desks that can be folded up easily when not in use, sofa beds, and ottomans with storage, he notes. Flexible indoor/outdoor spaces are high on the wish list for millennials.
“Open spaces became more prioritized because of the pandemic. People no longer want a divided room; they want everything from indoors to outdoors to blend seamlessly,” says Bizzley. “Millennials want to avoid closed-off spaces that bore them and will make them stir crazy.”
Ang cautions that millennials who don’t plan to stay put for long should be careful about endowing their homes with too many details that don’t enjoy universal appeal.
“Amenities whose primary function is aesthetic will be hard to sell to future buyers. Remember that tastes will inevitably change. If you are concerned about resale value down the road, focus on the practical in addition to the beautiful,” recommends Ang.