Bold and playful: how Gen Z redefines home decor

A vibrant blend of bold accent pieces and creative self-expression, proving that interior decor can be fun and distinctive – Dive into the latest Gen Z trends that are transforming our living spaces.

Quirky colourful decor, a personalised touch, bold accent pieces. Gen Z, born between the late 1990s and early 2010s, is a generation who’s not afraid to use colour or other ways of personal expression when creating their home interiors.

However, that doesn’t mean minimalism is out of style. The Gen Z approach to minimalism is more colourful and distinctive, but still uncluttered. Read on to see the key trends in Gen Z interior design.

Playfulness brings joy

Taking yourself too seriously is definitely not part of Gen Z interiors. The level of playfulness is something else when compared for example with the all-white, Scandinavian interior.

In the Gen Z style, every surface has a story to tell. Layering colours with gimmicky shapes, forms, and different materials will add joy and fun to the interior. This resembles an interior trend resurfacing at the same time with the Gen Z style: dopamine decor stands for focusing on evoking the feelings of warmth and happiness in a space.

As per the philosophy, the decor and interior should primarily make the homeowner smile.

Toned down maximalism

With the trend growing in popularity, Gen Z decor has toned down its maximalist side. Still, maximalism, in terms of colour, shapes and patterns, is characteristic for Gen Z interior. Pastels, neon hues or other bold colours provide the backbone for the playful and creative aesthetic. Patterns, such as stripes and checkers, play well together with pieces of art and other creative details adding visual interest.

Despite their penchant for style and aesthetics, comfort is key for Gen Z. Soft furnishings, cosy textures, and organic shapes create an inviting and comfy space for anyone who wants to join the trend.
Like in these image below, the organic shapes can be repeated in multiple objects, such as the staircase and the chair. When looking for something more subtle, try for example cushions, carpets, squiggle mirrors, and other decorative items.

Interesting shapes

Sustainability is a high priority for Gen Z, so eco-friendly products, recycled materials, and second hand furniture and other items are a prominent part of Gen Z interior design. To make the overall impression more interesting and to nail the Gen Z way, it’s worthwhile to mix vintage pieces with modern looking details. A mix of old and new, digital and analogue – such as books and printed photographs – is at the core of Gen Z.

Mixing contemporary with vintage

The matching of old and new can also be done in terms of colour. Vibrant and nostalgic pink, such as Bubba in Berlin plays nicely together with orange, modern black, and white. Peachy and contemporary Nude in Nizza, on the other hand, looks perfect with retro yellow, baby pink, and orange.