Design and Gen Z: What Does The Future Hold?
Gen Z, the first true digital-native generation, is reshaping the landscape of interior design with an eye for sustainability, individuality, and tech-forward aesthetics. As they enter the housing market, their unique tastes and values are creating new trends that differ from those of previous generations. Here's a look at the defining characteristics of Gen Z’s approach to interior design, and the trends that are likely to shape the future of this dynamic industry.
1. Sustainability as a Core Value
For Gen Z, environmental consciousness is more than just a trend—it's a lifestyle imperative. Growing up amid climate change conversations and environmental crises, they are motivated to make eco-friendly choices, and this extends directly to their approach to design. Interior design trends for Gen Z are leaning heavily toward sustainable materials, upcycled furniture, and energy-efficient lighting. This generation is interested in brands that prioritize ethical practices, waste reduction, and transparent sourcing.
Repurposed & Upcycled Furniture: Thrift shopping and secondhand furniture are popular among Gen Z. Not only is this more affordable, but it also supports a circular economy, reducing waste by giving pre-loved furniture new life.
Eco-Friendly Materials: Materials like bamboo, reclaimed wood, recycled metal, and organic fabrics appeal strongly to this environmentally aware generation. Gen Z appreciates items with certifications such as FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and OEKO-TEX, which guarantee sustainable and non-toxic products.
Low-Waste Design: Gen Z is also drawn to brands and designers who adopt zero-waste practices, such as creating furniture from reclaimed or leftover materials, ensuring minimal waste in production.
2. Individuality and Personalized Spaces
Gen Z is known for their love of self-expression and personalized aesthetics. In interior design, this translates to bold, unique, and customized spaces that break free from conventional trends. Unlike previous generations who may have favored streamlined, "perfect" interiors, Gen Z values eclecticism and authenticity.
Mixing Styles and Eras: They don’t feel constrained by design eras, instead enjoying a mix-and-match approach that combines vintage pieces with modern or even futuristic elements. This generation often combines aesthetics, incorporating elements of mid-century modern, boho, and minimalism in a single space.
DIY and Customization: Gen Z values the power of DIY and customization, using art, wall decals, or personalized decor to create a space that reflects their personality. Popular on platforms like TikTok, the DIY culture allows Gen Z to create budget-friendly, bespoke items that turn their spaces into unique works of art.
Maximalist Minimalism: Gen Z is refining minimalism by adding character through small collections, decor accents, and curated color palettes. They are known for curating “microcollections” that reflect personal hobbies or interests, embracing minimalism’s clean lines but adding warmth and individuality through decor.
3. Tech-Enhanced Living Spaces
As digital natives, Gen Z integrates technology seamlessly into their daily lives. Smart home technology, once seen as a luxury, is becoming standard for this generation, who values convenience, energy efficiency, and connectivity.
Smart Furniture and Fixtures: Gen Z is drawn to tech-enhanced furniture, such as tables with wireless charging capabilities, smart lighting that adjusts to natural rhythms, and voice-activated assistants. These innovations align with their tech-savvy lifestyles, allowing them to control their environment with ease.
Virtual Reality in Design: With VR and AR tools now accessible, Gen Z is likely to make virtual space planning and visualization a standard step in the design process. These tools allow for experimentation with room layouts, color schemes, and decor without making permanent changes, which appeals to Gen Z’s love for customization and flexibility.
Work-From-Home Optimization: Given the rise of remote work, Gen Z seeks functional spaces that integrate technology without sacrificing style. Workspaces are evolving to accommodate screens, multiple devices, and lighting specifically designed for video calls, resulting in functional, yet aesthetically pleasing setups that fit within the broader design of the home.
4. Bold Colors, Patterns, and Experimental Decor
Gen Z has a fearless approach to color and pattern, embracing bold choices in their decor. Unlike Millennials who popularized neutrals and muted tones, Gen Z favors vibrant, eye-catching hues that evoke joy and creativity.
Color Therapy and Bright Accents: This generation is highly attuned to the psychological effects of color, often choosing bright, uplifting shades for their homes. Colors like teal, mustard yellow, lavender, and emerald green are popular choices. Rather than splashing bold colors everywhere, they balance them with neutral tones for a sophisticated yet energizing effect.
Statement Walls and Murals: Gen Z isn’t afraid to use walls as a canvas. Accent walls, wallpaper, and even murals are making a comeback. Removable wallpaper or decals that allow frequent updates are particularly popular, giving them flexibility in refreshing their space without a full overhaul.
Playful Textures and Patterns: Mixing textures like velvet, metal, rattan, and boucle adds depth and personality to their spaces. They’re also inclined to play with patterns—florals, stripes, and geometric designs are frequent choices that add visual interest to furniture, textiles, and decor.
5. Multi-Functional Spaces
Given the rise of remote work and online learning, Gen Z values spaces that serve multiple functions. Their interiors often include areas that can adapt to various needs, such as relaxation, work, entertainment, and fitness.
Modular and Convertible Furniture: Items like fold-away desks, modular seating, and convertible sofas are becoming essentials in Gen Z homes, allowing small spaces to function in multiple ways. Storage ottomans, wall-mounted desks, and shelving systems are also popular as they maximize functionality without taking up valuable floor space.
Zoning with Decor: Rather than rigid layouts, Gen Z uses rugs, furniture placement, and lighting to create “zones” within a room, allowing one space to serve different purposes throughout the day. This open but organized layout aligns with the generation’s flexible, on-the-go lifestyle.
6. Biophilic Design and Nature-Inspired Spaces
For Gen Z, nature plays a big role in the interior design aesthetic. Inspired by the biophilic design trend, which emphasizes natural materials, plants, and sunlight, Gen Z seeks to bring the outdoors in.
Houseplants as Decor: Known for their “plant parent” tendencies, Gen Z embraces greenery in their living spaces. From small succulents to towering monstera plants, they appreciate how plants improve air quality, boost mood, and bring life to a room.
Natural Light and Organic Shapes: Gen Z designs often maximize natural light, incorporating sheer curtains or opting for layouts that allow light to filter through. Organic, curved furniture shapes and natural materials like jute, wood, and stone evoke a serene and earthy atmosphere.
Indoor-Outdoor Living: Even in urban settings, Gen Z is finding creative ways to blend indoor and outdoor elements. Balconies with cozy furniture, potted plants, and outdoor lights are becoming common features in Gen Z’s urban homes, as they look for ways to extend living spaces outward.
7. What’s Next?
As Gen Z continues to influence interior design, we’ll likely see a movement toward more customizable, tech-friendly, and sustainable spaces that value individuality and multifunctionality. The future of interior design, driven by this forward-thinking generation, promises a shift away from rigid design norms to embrace a personalized and environmentally conscious aesthetic.
Whether through digital innovations or a renewed focus on eco-friendly practices, Gen Z is actively shaping interior design trends to be flexible, expressive, and mindful of the planet.
