Do You Decorate Like a Boomer or Gen Z? Designers Define All the Generational Styles

Interior design has a way of stirring up nostalgia. Think about it: you can probably picture your grandma’s living room setup or the posters on your bedroom walls as a kid. These familiar settings make us feel connected to the past. Sometimes, we even get nostalgic for styles we never experienced, like the intricate patterns of the Victorian era or the vibrant colors of Bauhaus. The past has a funny way of finding its place in our homes today.

As our tastes evolve, it’s no surprise that certain design choices end up defining a particular time and place. “There are such large generational shifts in music, culture, and politics,” says designer Melissa Oholendt of Oho Interiors. “It makes sense that interior trends would follow the same trajectory of having identifiable generational identifiers, too!”

Generation gaps might be inevitable, but there’s one thing we all share: a soft spot for specific design choices. Loving those styles back then was perfectly fine, and reminiscing about them now is just as great. Trends come and go, but good memories stick around. We chatted with three designers to break down the most popular styles from four generations. Ready for a nostalgic trip? Let’s dive in!

Baby Boomers

Born between 1946 and 1964, Baby Boomers grew up in an era that shifted mass production from wartime efforts to civilian life. Oholendt associates this generation with matching furniture sets. Picture those living rooms where every piece of furniture coordinated perfectly—totally a Boomer thing!

Generation X

If Baby Boomers were grooving to the Beatles, Gen X (born 1965-1980) was rocking out to Nirvana on their Walkmans. Oholendt gets serious ‘70s vibes from her Gen X friends—think lava lamps, shag rugs, and vinyl records as decor.

Designer Vasquez highlights Gen X’s love for industrialism, which aligns with their punk rock plaid fashion. “They were more interested in cities and less interested in suburbs,” she says. “So rather than faded white ‘shabby chic,’ they went with raw steel and all-black everything.” This generation was all about rebellion and eclectic vibes, mixing and matching different styles just to be unique.

Millennials

Millennials, born between 1981 and 1996, are the last generation to remember life without smartphones. Designer Vroom credits them for mainstreaming sustainable living and the “less is more” approach. But if we had to pick one defining look? Millennial pink.

“Teenage Melissa deeply wanted pink inflatable furniture that came straight out of the dELiA's catalog,” Oholendt recalls. “I think the popularity of that furniture translated for us all to have a deep love for all tones of pink as an adult. It’s all rooted, deep down, in the idea that a pink inflatable sofa would be the key to our high school social lives.”

Vasquez adds that the rise of the Internet made Millennial style harder to pin down. But beyond the pink hues, they brought in a “casual elegance” with a coastal California vibe.

Generation Z

Gen Z, born between 1997 and the early 2010s, is known for their effortless online presence and relaxed approach to social norms. Vasquez notes that Gen Z’s style is about being distinct from previous generations. “They want to define themselves and their aesthetic as entirely new and different,” she says. Think neon colors, candy-colored, bubble-shaped furniture.

Vroom points out that Gen Z combines Millennial sustainability with maximalism. They love vintage and thrifted pieces. On the flip side, Oholendt observes a more traditional twist with “moody academia”—dark paint colors, lots of books, and cozy lamp lighting. Overhead lights? No thanks!

Design trends evolve, and each generation brings something new to the table while borrowing from the past. As Oholendt says, “The popularity of cottage core definitely came from the tastes of the Silent Generation.” Design bridges generational gaps, but some things remain timeless. “I solemnly swear never to buy a matching furniture set. Love you, Baby Boomers.”

Ready to update your space? Share your design style and let’s create a home that’s uniquely you!