Though interior design may seem like just putting furniture in place or selecting colors, it also shares what is important to the people who live there. Generational behavior can help us see how people design their homes and communities. People from different generations usually embrace specific types of design which depend on the technology, economy and traditions of their time.
If your aim is to design for long-term use, ease or tradition, being aware of how everyone likes their home can make the result more comfortable and emotionally pleasant.
Baby Boomers and Their Design Approach
Baby Boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, are attracted to home styles that feel comfortable, steady and classic. Lots of these people were raised when being formal in the home was expected which shapes how they design their areas.
Common design characteristics:
- Formal layouts: Defined dining rooms and separate living areas.
- Warm tones and classic textures: Earthy palettes, wood finishes, and leather upholstery.
- Emphasis on comfort and stability: Plush seating, durable furnishings, and familiar aesthetics.
- Practical space planning: Ground-floor bedrooms, wider hallways, and aging-in-place features.
Many Boomers like to have rooms in their homes that have only one purpose. A room shouldn’t use one space for multiple functions, so you need a dining room for dining, a door for a study and walls to make a room serve just one purpose. People who choose this style usually care about comfort and honoring traditions which are often tied to years of owning a house and being a family.
Gen X Preferences: Blending Modern With Personal
Since Generation X was born between 1965 and 1980, they grew up in a time between old analog systems and new digital ones and that is often clear in their homes. Since they mix traditional and modern styles, their interiors are always unique, useful and personal.
Key traits of Gen X design:
- Open floor plans: Fewer walls, more connection between kitchen, dining, and living areas.
- Multi-functional rooms: Home offices that double as guest rooms or workout spaces.
- Vintage-meets-modern: A mix of heirloom pieces, flea market finds, and streamlined modern furniture.
- Smart but subtle tech: Hidden charging stations, smart lighting, and hybrid workspaces.
Gen Xers generally like designs that are flexible and tell stories. House designs show the influence of where they have lived, who they are related to and what they do in their daily lives. As they balance busy work lives, children, and sometimes caring for aging parents, efficiency inspace planningbecomes critical.
Why Generational Trends Matter in Design
Considering what different generations prefer means designers can make spaces that suit everyday living. These ideas allow you to find out what people like in a living room’s layout, what furniture appeals to them, what to use for storage and what makes them comfortable.
When designers pay attention to generations, they create opportunities for empathy, where design features meet people’s daily routines, practical needs and how they identify themselves.
Adapting Space Planning to Generational Lifestyles
Space planning is the strategic foundation of any interior design project. It determines how people move through and interact with their environment. Generational context shapes how clients think about space:
- Boomer homesmay prioritize clear boundaries and private zones: libraries, dens, formal dining, or master suites separated from communal areas. Accessibility and ease of use are key.
- Gen X spacesoften require flexibility — open kitchens that flow into entertainment spaces, kids’ zones that evolve into teen hangouts, or dining rooms that convert into creative studios.
By aligning spatial arrangements with lifestyle patterns, designers can support not just visual goals, but daily functionality and emotional wellbeing.
Procurement: Matching Pieces to Generational Taste
Once the layout is set, the next step is procurement — selecting furnishings and materials that match the space’s purpose and the client’s identity.
- Boomers tend to lean toward timeless pieces — cherry wood, detailed cabinetry, and high-end finishes. Their choices often focus on legacy and lasting value.
- Gen X might mix new with nostalgic, favoring reclaimed wood, industrial accents, modular sofas, or retro-inspired light fixtures that tell a story.
Procurement isn’t just about style; it’s about sourcing intentionally — finding pieces that reflect values, routines, and transitions, especially as people move into new life stages or repurpose rooms over time.
Design That Honors the Past, Adapts for the Future
A space is most successful when its story comes from a person’s personality, memories and how they live. If designers notice how generation shapes expectations about spaces, they can create homes that seem intuitive to the residents. A home can be comfortable and full of traditions or modern and suitable for today’s fast-paced life and good design can fit both situations.
Want to Learn More About How Generational Design Trends Can Shape Your Space?
Boomer vs. Gen X Home Design | Redfin
The experts in this roundup discuss how different generations have changed interior design’s layouts and finishes over the years. It is a good choice for anyone who seeks to learn about the link between design and changing cultures and lifestyle trends. No matter if you want to remodel or start from the beginning, these discoveries can help you shape good design decisions.
Regardless of whether you are starting out, redoing an old home or have a clean slate, knowing your tastes can guide you to design your home in your own way.
At Spazi Design, we don’t believe in trendy, one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, we embrace design that evolves with your story — including the one shaped by the generation you belong to.
