Decorating your home is like jewelry, but so are your walls, floors, and furniture. It can be a fun form of self-expression. Just like fashion, certain trends come and go in the world of interior design. Since Gen Z is all grown up and making money for themselves, they are bringing new trends in home decor.
Interior designer Reeves Connelly recently created a TikTok comparing Gen Z and Millennial home decor trends. He took inspiration from another video that likened Gen Z's obsession with checkerboard patterns to millennials' love of chevron patterns. He compared trends to see if they tended to be more consistent across generations.
The difference in aesthetics between Gen Z and Millennials can be found in the way they choose home decor.
Image credit: Kostiantyn Voitenko
“A few weeks ago, I saw a video that said this wavy checkerboard pattern is basically the Gen Z version of the chevron pattern.”
Image credit: reevcon
“Mushroom-themed decor feels like the Gen Z version of a millennial pineapple.”
Image credit: reevcon
“Gen Z chose decorations like seashells, while Millennials chose things like sea urchins.”
Image credit: reevcon
“Gen Z is obsessed with these colorful Assuline books.”
“It's the same with coffee table books. This Tom Ford book has sent every millennial over the edge.”
Image credit: reevcon
“The Squiggle Mirror has got to be the most coated piece of Gen Z furniture. And I feel like the Millennial version of that is this geometric hanging mirror.”
Image credit: reevcon
“This may be an exaggeration, but Gen Z's obsession with cowboy-themed decor gives off the same vibe as Millennials' mustache and top hat trends.”
Image credit: reevcon
“The way Millennials combined zebra print with neon colors is very similar to the way Gen Z styled cow print with pastels.”
Image credit: reevcon
“Every late millennial had Tumblr fairy lights, and Gen Z had neon strip lights. It's the same thing, just with a different font.”
Image credit: reevcon
“Someone needs to study the influence Mason jars have had on millennial culture. They were everywhere. And the Gen Z equivalent is like stacked ring cups.”
Image credit: reevcon
Reeves' video quickly gained popularity and now has more than 8 million views in less than two weeks.
@reevcon And maybe the cloud print is a Gen Z galaxy print — the OG video mentioning the checkerboard and chevron patterns is from @Sierra Campbell ♬ Original sound – Reeves Connelly
Image credit: Cottonbro Studio (not actual photo)
Millennials prefer minimalism at home, while Gen Z is increasingly leaning towards maximalism.
Interior design journalist Angelica Angeli writes, “Each generation does its best to be the opposite of what came before.” If Millennials aim for minimalism in their homes, Gen Z goes all-in on color and isn't afraid to clutter up their space with decorative items.
At the same time, although maximalist, Gen Z's interiors tend to be softer in terms of color palette, shape, etc. This is similar to what the commenter below said. Zoomer's interior is “Booba” and Millennial's interior is “Kiki.” This is a reference to experiments that study the relationship between sound and visual shape.
Connelly's TikTok is a clear example of this. The mushroom and clam themed decor uses soft edges and pastel colors. The gold-colored pineapple and the spiky sphere are a contrast, with bright colors and sharp shapes.
The same goes for bedroom comparisons. Both photos include animal print. Because, as Reeves says in the video, animal print is timeless. The difference is how each generation decides on style.
In this case, Gen Z chooses pastel colors, or soft pinks. Bedrooms are decorated in a millennial style with neon pillows and walls. The wavy mirror is also a calming color.
Image credit: Godisable Jacob (not actual photo)
The transition from minimalism to maximalism was not just a generational change.
It would be an oversimplification to say that Gen Z's interior preferences are the result of a desire to be different. There are other factors that influenced the younger generation to make certain interior design choices.
The main thing they look for in home design is satisfactory quality. Vintage show pony owner Johnny Carmack told Print Magazine why he likes living in colorful homes. “Like many people, I struggle with anxiety and depression, but waking up in a house full of color and things I love really makes life easier. I do crazy things around the house because it just brings me joy.”
To haters who say such interiors look childish, TikToker and DIY enthusiast Michelle Pham counters. She says, “As we grow up, many of the things we consider special are things we admired as children, so we try to recreate the idea of safety in our modern lives.''
The pandemic has also had a huge impact on the design choices of younger generations. As we've gotten used to staying at home all day, we've become more and more focused on making our homes as presentable and comfortable as possible.
Image credit: EKATERINA BOLOVTSOVA (not actual photo)
Is there really a trend? Isn't home decoration an expression of individualism?
Arlyn Hernandez interviewed Marco Zamora for Emily Henderson's blog. Zamora is a young interior designer who is popular on social media with over 500,000 followers. He debunked some misconceptions about trends people attribute to his Gen Z.
What he emphasized most throughout our conversation was the importance of sustainability. No trend of any kind equates to one of Gen Z's core values. “Buy vintage or already used pieces that fit with new 'trends' you want to try,” he said. “Trends tend to repeat, so you'll probably find something that's already in rotation.”
He also spoke about his generation's sense of responsibility regarding consumerism. “We try to understand what we're buying and how it impacts the environment. Especially when everything is brand new, everything is one trend or one style. If so, how much waste will you create if you decide to change your style?”
Zamora says trying to follow “trends” can result in a generic design. For example, he tries to incorporate Mexican traditions into his home decor. And the internet is very helpful in that regard.
“A lot of inspiration and different ideas all appear on your phone and it opens you up. You can put it together in a way that works best for you,” he added. “There are so many other things you can experiment with in unique ways. You can be very creative. Put your own spin on it and make it your own.”
Commenters noted other Gen Z similarities to Millennial home decor staples.
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