As millennials mature and improve their buying power, they begin to hold more influence over trends in the remodeling industry. There are over 83 million millennials in the U.S., and industry trends are starting to reflect the preferences of this demographic.
Megan Ray Nichols of Inhabitat shares some key design trends that are important to keep in mind when working with millennials.
1. Open Plan Floor plans are more open and efficient than ever before. A big kitchen still remains a prerequisite, but it should flow into the other rooms for easy entertaining. For this reason, almost half of millennials are keen on luxury kitchens with a preference for lounge furniture that serves more than one purpose.
2. Natural Materials and Features There is a hangover of the baby boomer rustic interior, but the youngest generation of homeowners are switching it up. We’re seeing more natural tones in today’s millennial homes such as reclaimed wood, neutral palates and barn doors. Scandinavian design is contributing to the pro-wood feel, but so is the tendency to bring the outdoors inside.
3. Tiles are Back One of the biggest changes identified as millennials interior décor is a preference for tiles. Subway tiles are dominating the market; whether they’re used as backsplashes or flooring, it’s the ultimate trend.
Since millennials have now occupied smaller homes, the financially savvy are more likely to have more room in the budget for the designs they want. That means more money is going into kitchen design and spa-like bathrooms.