All Facts, No Cap: Gen Z vs Millennials’ Interior Design Preferences

TL;DR – they may be wildly different, BUT have things in common.

If there’s one thing to say about millennials and Gen Zs, it’s that there’s no end to the topics that cause feuds – from light-hearted debates on skinny jeans and relaxed fit pants, to the more heated ones like attitudes towards work.

Even interior styles aren’t spared! It’s said that these two generations bring different perspectives to their homes, resulting in rather distinct spaces. We spoke to millennials and Gen Zs about their ideal interiors to find out if there’s actually a difference – and why.

Millennials prefer to play on the safe side

Generally recognised as those born between 1981 and 1996, millennials value simplicity and practicality with a touch of modern sophistication in their interiors.

Millennials love neutral palettes with pops of colour.

Millennials we spoke to love the idea of neutrals like beige, grey and brown as the foundation for their home for a sense of calm and timelessness. This, together with “pops of colour that are not too garish”, makes for the perfect combination.

Some like the “white-and-wood” look, for instance, for how it makes the house look bright, timeless and airy.

For millennials, subtle accents are the answer to creating visual interest.

A number of them also mentioned including subtle accents to make their spaces “visually pop” – like cabinet trimmings and fluted panels, or curves around their home. These subtle additions elevate the home’s aesthetic without overwhelming the space.

One millennial highlighted his interest in this revamped 5-room Punggol flat because it’s bright and spacious, and has a mix of organic textures like concrete and wood.

Gen Zs are big on striking and personalised spaces

Gen Zs – those born between 1997 and 2012 – are known for being digital natives with a penchant for individual expression.

According to Gen Zs, bold colours and patterns just hit different...

Unlike the muted tones that millennials prefer, Gen Zs embrace more bold and vibrant colours that make a statement. This comes through in their love for patterns and more daring accents too, like geometric wallpapers and stand-out textures.

As one Gen Z shared, while she likes minimalist and Scandinavian interiors, she feels that the look “melts together (and looks the same)”; another shared that “dull and neutral colours feel sad”.

…and unique features and customisation are always giving.

“Unique” and “distinctive” features rank high in Gen Z’s ideal interiors, reflecting their love for fun and emphasis on expressing individuality.

They don’t shy from reconfiguring spaces and experimenting, enjoying spaces like the home above where nearly all the walls were hacked and replaced with glass.

Finding common ground: interior choices millennials AND Gen Zs love

Before you get all up in arms to defend your interior choices, hear this out: despite their rather contrasting opinions on the ideal interior, millennials and Gen Zs have a few things in common – like their appreciation for cosy, open homes and flexible, functional spaces.

Cosy, open-concept layouts are perfect for relaxing in after a long day.

While definitions of what makes a space ‘cosy’ differ from person to person, one aspect that unites millennials and Gen Zs is an open-concept layout; they appreciate the spaciousness and how it breaks down the typical barriers in the communal spaces to encourage more interaction with family and guests.

They also opt for lighting, furniture and textures that create a warm and welcoming atmosphere in their homes so that they can relax when they get home.

Both generations value versatile spaces, with an emphasis on practicality.

Multi-functional elements are important to both generations – they prefer to have furniture and fittings that serve multiple purposes, such as seating and storage.

According to a Gen Z respondent, this home makes use of every space, like the curved kitchen cabinets that function as both storage and display.

They also prefer to have adaptable spaces: as one millennial respondent shared, she values “being able to adapt and change [her] space according to [her] needs”.

Similarly, a Gen Z respondent prefers to have “more loose furniture than built-ins” as they’re “easier to change up” in the future.

So… it looks like millennials and Gen Zs can be besties after all.

Is your dream home living rent-free in your head?

Ultimately, whether you’re a millennial or a Gen Z (or consider yourself a zillennial), renovating your home is less about generational trends and more about understanding yourself and your lifestyle needs.

If you’re letting your visions for your home live rent free in your head, share your renovation details and we’ll help you shortlist interior firms that can help bring your dream home to life!

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