A recent survey reveals Gen Z’s love for maximalist decor, favoring vibrant wallpaper, animal prints, and stained glass over minimalism.
Los Angeles: A new survey shows that there’s a thin line between what’s vintage and what’s just outdated in home design. The poll, which included 2,000 homeowners from different generations, found that 83% believe homes can easily lose their charm and become outdated.
While many people still love original features like hardwood floors (56%) and intricate woodworking (37%), they definitely don’t want popcorn ceilings or root cellars. Even some baby boomers admit that fully carpeted homes aren’t the best idea anymore.
Interestingly, Gen Z is really into bold styles. They prefer wallpaper (31%), stained glass (30%), and wood paneling (26%) more than any other age group. The survey, done by Talker Research for Realty ONE Group, aimed to highlight generational differences in home buying and ownership.
It seems that “farmhouse chic” is losing its appeal, with only 28% of Gen Z liking it, compared to 34% of baby boomers. Meanwhile, animal prints are a huge hit with Gen Z, being five times more popular than with baby boomers.
Even though most Americans lean towards minimalism, 38% of Gen Z loves bold colors and eclectic styles. Outdoor features like having a yard (57%) and a garage (54%) are still important to everyone, but Gen Z also values having a pool or hot tub (32%).
When it comes to community, safety (69%) and friendly neighbors (53%) are top priorities. Gen Z cares about access to shopping just as much as neighborly vibes, while millennials focus more on good schools.
Kuba Jewgieniew, CEO of Realty ONE Group, emphasizes the importance of working with a real estate professional to navigate the home buying process. Many buyers, including 35% of respondents, ended up purchasing homes in places they had never visited before.
The average home buying journey took about six months, from deciding to buy to moving in. A good number of buyers (29%) worked with a realtor right from the start, finding it helpful to have guidance through the process.
While some people wouldn’t change a thing about their home buying experience, others wish they had taken more time to explore options or been more realistic about their budgets.
When asked for advice on buying a first home, many suggested taking your time, focusing on needs, and hiring an inspector before making a purchase. In the end, 67% of respondents feel their current home is their “forever home.”
Jewgieniew reminds us that a real estate professional can help with the details of buying or selling a home, allowing buyers to focus on what really matters, like price, size, and location.
The survey was conducted by Talker Research, which surveyed 2,000 homeowners evenly split by generation, from November 15 to 19, 2024.
