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Interior Design Trends for Different Generations: from Gen Z to Baby Boomers

Updated: Aug 13


There’s a reason why you’d feel different in your grandmother’s home as compared to your best friend’s place. For every generation, the home and its design are distinct. Generationally shifting needs and trends have a large say in these evolving interiors.  Each generation develops its own identity based on the needs of the time, cultural influences, and trends. This identity is reflected in the generational interior design, thus setting the homes of different age groups apart.  As a landlord, you have to design properties in a way that appeals to the specific target audience. In this article, we discuss how to create a home that appeals to different generations and shed light on the common trends found within each generational group, so you can design suitably for the target age groups of your projects!

There’s a reason why you’d feel different in your grandmother’s home as compared to your best friend’s place. For every generation, the home and its design are distinct. Generationally shifting needs and trends have a large say in these evolving interiors.


Each generation develops its own identity based on the needs of the time, cultural influences, and trends. This identity is reflected in the generational interior design, thus setting the homes of different age groups apart.


As a property developer, landlord or investor, you have to ensure your properties are designed in a way that appeals to the specific target audience. In this article, we discuss how to create a home that appeals to different generations and shed light on the common trends found within each generational group, so you can design suitably for the target age groups of your projects!


Interior Design Trends: Baby Boomers


Baby boomers are people born between 1945 and 1964, and are somewhere between 59 and 78 years old today. So, most boomers are heading into retirement, with their children having grown up and left home. They’re downsizing and reclaiming their home as a space just for themselves, with less consideration of the needs of others. This typically means they look at their homes as a space for tranquility and peace.  Creating a space that suits baby boomers means producing a peaceful ambiance with muted colours. This is because they provide a relaxing spot for the eyes to rest upon and generally create a more soothing environment. Think neutral earth tones to create a sophisticated look while inspiring a sense of relaxation.

Baby boomers are people born between 1945 and 1964, and are somewhere between 59 and 78 years old today. So, most boomers are heading into retirement, with their children having grown up and left home. They’re downsizing and reclaiming their home as a space just for themselves, with less consideration of the needs of others. This typically means they look at their homes as a space for tranquillity and peace.


Creating a space that suits baby boomers means producing a peaceful atmoshphere with muted colours. This is because they provide a relaxing spot for the eyes to rest and generally create a more soothing environment. Think neutral earth tones to create a sophisticated look while inspiring a sense of relaxation.


Boomers focus on quality and durability. This is because they hope to prevent frequent replacements and go big on comfort. So, it's important to prioritise comfortable and sturdy furnishings. They also look for easy-to-care-for interiors, achieved through, for example, easy-maintenance hardwood floors and houseplants that require less frequent watering.  Moreover, as eyesight weakens, boomers focus on sufficient lighting. A variety of task lighting in addition to ambient lighting will be important. For example, under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen and floor lamps in reading nooks.

Boomers focus on quality and durability. This is because they hope to prevent frequent replacements and go big on comfort. So, it's important to prioritise comfortable and sturdy furnishings. They also look for easy-to-care-for interiors, achieved through, for example, easy-maintenance hardwood floors and houseplants that require less frequent watering.


Moreover, as eyesight weakens, boomers focus on sufficient lighting. A variety of task lighting in addition to ambient lighting will be important. For example, under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen and floor lamps in reading nooks.


Interior Design Trends: Gen X


Gen X-ers are folks born between 1965 and 1980 (aged between 43 and 58 today). So, they’re somewhere in the middle of their careers, with busy and active families. As such, they prefer interior design that caters to the needs of their busy lifestyles.  Being a 70’s and 80’s child — the era when eclecticism was at its peak — the average Gen X-er gravitates towards eclectic and bold design styles. So, you can find punches of dark colours and statement decor pieces. Based on personal preference, a category of these people also opt for contemporary design styles with a twist of traditional. The latter may be obtained through hardwood flooring — also meeting their needs for durability.

Gen X-ers are folks born between 1965 and 1980 (aged between 43 and 58 today). So, they’re somewhere in the middle of their careers, with busy and active families. As such, they prefer interior design that caters to the needs of their busy lifestyles.


Being a 70’s and 80’s child — the era when eclecticism was at its peak — the average Gen X-er gravitates towards eclectic and bold design styles. So, you can find punches of dark colours and statement decor pieces. Based on personal preference, a category of these people also opt for contemporary design styles with a twist of traditional. The latter may be obtained through hardwood flooring — also meeting their needs for durability.


With children and pets at home, Gen X-ers look for furnishings that are sturdy yet comfortable. For similar reasons, they look for versatile spaces, obtained through multifunctional furniture and space-savvy trends.

With children and pets at home, Gen X-ers look for furnishings that are sturdy yet comfortable. For similar reasons, they look for versatile spaces, obtained through multifunctional furniture and space-savvy trends.


Interior Design Trends: Millennials


Millennials, born between 1981 and 1996 (aged somewhere between 27 and 42 today), have been raised in a time of globalisation. So, they are more conscious of the environment and their decisions impacting their surroundings.  This translates into eco-friendly interior design trends. Thus, creating a home that resonates with millennials means using plenty of reclaimed wood for decor, choosing sustainable materials, and opting for minimalism. Here are a handful of eco-friendly design tips to follow for a millennial-friendly interior.

Millennials, born between 1981 and 1996 (aged somewhere between 27 and 42 today), have been raised in a time of globalisation. So, they are more conscious of the environment and their decisions impacting their surroundings.


This translates into eco-friendly interior design trends. Thus, creating a home that resonates with millennials means using plenty of reclaimed wood for decor, choosing sustainable materials, and opting for minimalism. Here are a handful of eco-friendly design tips to follow for a millennial-friendly interior.


Open-concept layouts which became famous in the 1970s, also first emerged in the interiors of millennials, while the colour palettes are often neutral, with plenty of grays.

Open-concept layouts which became famous in the 1970s, also first emerged in the interiors of millennials, while the colour palettes are often neutral, with plenty of grays.


Interior Design Trends: Gen Z


Gen Z-ers (also called zoomers) were born between 1997 and 2012 — this means today, they are aged somewhere between 11 and 26 years old.  Because this generation has seen the most rapid rise of technology, zoomers often find themselves confined to their homes and stuck to their screens. This results in a lack of connection with Mother Nature — which is counteracted by creating this bond within their homes. As a result, you can find plenty of natural materials in their homes, including lots of natural light, wood, rattan, wicker, and plants.

Gen Z-ers (also called zoomers) were born between 1997 and 2012 — this means today, they are aged somewhere between 11 and 26 years old.


Because this generation has seen the most rapid rise of technology, zoomers often find themselves confined to their homes and stuck to their screens. This results in a lack of connection with Mother Nature — which is counteracted by creating this bond within their homes. As a result, you can find plenty of natural materials in their homes, including lots of natural light, wood, rattan, wicker, and plants.


Moreover, they believe in self-expression through murals and wall art, and a pop of personality with furnishings such as statement rugs, unique lighting fixtures, and accent pieces.

Credit: Emily Shaw


Moreover, they believe in self-expression through murals and wall art, and a pop of personality with furnishings such as statement rugs, unique lighting fixtures, and accent pieces.


Designing a Multigenerational Home


Oftentimes, you may have to design an interior for more than one generation — for example, if your client has a family of elders as well as children, or your property is first rented out by baby boomers and later by Gen-Xers.

Oftentimes, you may have to design an interior for more than one generation — for example, if your client has a family of elders as well as children, or your property is first rented out by baby boomers and later by Gen-Xers.


The trick to designing such spaces is picking elements from various generational trends, particularly the ones that everyone loves. Consider incorporating the following to appeal to various generations: Plants  Sturdy yet comfortable furnishings Multifunctional furniture Sustainable materials For more specific elements, such as a punch of the eclectic style, consider adding these in particular rooms. Create one room with an eclectic punch that can be used by Gen-Xers, while a more laid-back room with muted tones would suit baby boomers.

The trick to designing such spaces is picking elements from various generational trends, particularly the ones that everyone loves. Consider incorporating the following to appeal to various generations:

  • Plants

  • Sturdy yet comfortable furnishings

  • Multifunctional furniture

  • Sustainable materials

For more specific elements, such as a punch of the eclectic style, consider adding these in particular rooms. Create one room with an eclectic punch that can be used by Gen-Xers, while a more laid-back room with muted tones would suit baby boomers.


Our Final Thoughts


Interior design trends have evolved over the years according to the needs and preferences of the people, and as a landlord, you need to take care of these evolving preferences and trends while decorating your property. So, keep the above-mentioned tips and tricks in mind while designing your space, so it appeals to the audience you want to attract!


Need help designing your home? Book one of our Interior Design Gurus for a 30-minute video call. Transforming your home into a space you love shouldn't be a daunting task. With HiiGuru you can save time, avoid costly mistakes and bring your goals to life with experts by your side.




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