Who are Gen Z and how are they designing their home spaces?
Gen Z are those born from 1995 to 2010, or those who are 13 to 28 years old this year. This post is for those who are living in their own homes, who have carte blanche to change their bedrooms in their parents’ houses, who are renting an apartment, condo, or bed space.
The Gen Z interior style for their home spaces has been written about in this recent post. defining this group’s aesthetics as maximalist, colorful, and eco-conscious.
The Appeal of Natural Materials
Gen Z has to deal with a world of climate change issues, creatures getting extinct, eroding land, El Niño, La Niña, microplastic everywhere including the food we eat and the air we breathe, among many other issues.
It is not surprising that natural materials are a primary choice for things that they dress up their homes with. If you look at interior design images that cater to this generation, you will find that the home accessories of choice are earthenware, rattan furniture, wood, weaves. Handmade and craft things are considered valuable.
There is a love for vintage, retro, pre-loved things. Recycling and upcycling are not buzzwords to Gen Z, but the norm. Ethical concerns on how a product is made is important to them.
Check out more of these home accessories using natural materials in this post.
The Desire for Authenticity
Gen Z “are true digital natives: from earliest youth, they have been exposed to the internet, to social networks, and to mobile systems. That context has produced a hypercognitive generation very comfortable with collecting and cross-referencing many sources of information and with integrating virtual and offline experiences.” (Tracy Francis and Fernanda Hoefel, True Gen)
This generation prefers individual expression, customization, personalization. They say it with colors as seen by their preference for maximalism, which can be described as an extravagant and hyper-colored aesthetics.
Original artwork, murals, inspiring images, polaroids are placed on the walls to decorate a space. Colors, patterns, textures—all these are used to create a space that is unique.
Throwback with a Twist
From mid-century furniture to y2k, these design aesthetics are used by Gen Z to decorate their homes. They have no problems mixing and matching the different design styles and coming up with their own style.
Scandi may not work for this generation but Scandi maximalism does. They like the clean lines and elegant simplicity of mid-century furniture. Yet they love unique lighting, like fairy lights, colored bulbs, Moroccan or Turkish style lights, LED strips, salt lamps, neon signs, disco balls.
Gen Z loves nostalgic home decor like the 60’s psychedelic colors, the 70’s orange-green-brown palette, pile rugs, funky pieces.
Blurring of Gender Lines
Have you heard that there are more than 100 genders identified in 2023?
Gen Z are not concerned with pink-is-for-girls-blue-is-for-boys aesthetics, when androgyny (the presence of both feminine and masculine characteristics) is very much a part of their world. Even in the Paris Fashion Week of 2023, off-binary collections challenged the long-espoused gender binary system.
What matters to Gen Z in creating their homes is the comfort level more than the looks. As regards style, they go for their own expression of beauty.
Sustainability as a Standard
Gen Z has the drive to uphold sustainability and demands brands to do the same. The consciousness to go for something that does not harm the environment goes deep.
Sustainable materials in the building of their homes, alternative energy sources, smart homes, energy and water efficient home appliances, passive design—these are things that Gen Z homeowners care about.
Gen Z Style
The Gen Z style continues to evolve as technology continues to advance. The world we are in may have so many challenges but Gen Z uses their digital savvy and know-how to create a place that fits their needs and aspirations. Aside from self-expression, consumption is a matter of ethical concern for them.
Our study based on the survey reveals four core Gen Z behaviors, all anchored in one element: this generation’s search for truth. Gen Zers value individual expression and avoid labels. They mobilize themselves for a variety of causes. They believe profoundly in the efficacy of dialogue to solve conflicts and improve the world. Finally, they make decisions and relate to institutions in a highly analytical and pragmatic way. That is why, for us, Gen Z is “True Gen.” -Tracy Francis and Fernanda Hoefel
Subscribe to Let it B and know more about design trends.
