It’s a new generation in many exciting ways. Millennials have different goals, different lifestyles – and they’re definitely putting their different, individual stamp on home design. Now joining the homeowner ranks, millennials have preferences very distinct from those of Baby Boomers and Generation X. For that reason, this new, emerging – and dynamic – generation of home-buyers is having an immense influence on home-design trends.
Let’s take a look at five home design trends that millennials can’t get enough of:
It’s no secret that millennials love technology. In fact, they love it so much that they are willing to pay top dollar to have home amenities, such as voice-activated smart speakers, smart lightbulbs that you can control with a smart phone or tablet, or a high-tech countertop oven. Considering that millennials grew up in the technology era it is unlikely that this trend is going to fade anytime soon.
Reclaimed wood gives millennials the sought-after originality and uniqueness that they desire in their homes. Stikwood, based in the United States, is the world’s first sustainable wood-planking company that takes recycled wood and turns it into peel-and-stick natural wood siding. This product is a perfect fit for the residential design market – especially for those looking for a cost-effective way to differentiate their homes.
This might be the most characteristically millennial design trend on our list. Example: LED lights built into showerheads, fireplaces and toilet bowls. Yes, you read that correctly: toilet bowls.
As unconventional as all this sounds, these lighting fixtures have the ability to add a magical touch to standard household appliances. DreamSpa sells a chrome shower head that changes colour depending on the temperature of the water. Blue means that the water is cold (below 35°F); green means the water is warm (35°F to 43°F); red means the water is hot (35°F to 50°F); and flashing red is a warning and indicates that the water is scorching hot (above 50°F).
Widely now viewed as the “green generation,” millennials are always looking to implement environmentally-friendly solutions. In fact, a recent Nielsen study found that millennials are willing to go the extra mile and pay extra for sustainable products. For example: eco-friendly countertops and surfaces made from recycled materials such as quartz. Even better, these options are practical in that they’re affordable home design solutions.
Susan Matus, director of project development at Case Design/Remodelling in Bethesda, Maryland, says, “Environmental impact is driving the selection of materials, but they (millennials) are also concerned about durability and functionality of the things they buy. For example, a lot of people love the way Carrara-marble counters look, but they realize that it stains easily, so they are willing to turn to man-made materials that are similarly beautiful but are a better fit for their lifestyle.”
It doesn’t bother Boomers and Generation X to keep their blender on the kitchen counter. Nor to kick their shoes off by the front door – and let them fall where they may. Not so millennials. The new gen likes to have built-in organization systems for everything. Millennials want a clean, open-spaced look that is only achievable through a clutter-free environment.
Further reading on millennials and the home-design trends they can’t get enough of:
Read more Blogs