Gen Z v Millennial styling trends: How the two generations differ

When it comes to home styling choices, Millennials and Gen Z are locked in a design battle where only one generation can prevail.

The differences between these groups are more than subtle quirks – they’re glaring, sometimes cringeworthy declarations of who really understands style.

“I have never, in my four-decade career, seen trends move so quickly, and it’s driven largely by Gen Z,” says interior expert Melissa Penfold.

This rapid-fire evolution means the two generations are adopting very different approaches in their pursuit of the perfect home.

Millennials: The nostalgia enthusiasts who are almost “adulting”

Millennials love a piece with a past, Penfold says. “They’re very nostalgic.

“They love things from their parents, their grandparents, something with a story to tell. They like pieces they find overseas that feel like home.”

For Millennials, this sense of homeliness and comfort is central to the way they put spaces together.

“They go the extra mile and always make sure bedding is extra comfortable and cloud-like,” Penfold says. “They’ll always have flowers for no good reason. They love a well-stocked drinks table. They collect coffee-table books.”

Generally, Millennials tend to play it safe when it comes to styling choices, she adds: “They’ll opt for the rug in a neutral colour, with no pattern, that’s going to last forever.”

Penfold has noticed that Millennials carry a sense of perfectionism, perhaps more so than Gen Z. This reflects in Millennials’ desire for interiors that appear sophisticated and put together.

Forget the aesthetic: Gen Z wishes more Millennials would embrace dopamine decorating

What does Penfold love most about Gen Z?

“They decorate with what makes them happy,” she says. “I’m absolutely with them on this, because they take what resonates and leave what doesn’t.

“I think that’s the fun of design for everyone. That’s the hallmark of successful design, whatever age you are, whatever style you have.

“Embrace your style and creative liberty, whatever that might look like.”

Perhaps Millennials, with their need for everything to be polished and preened, could learn a thing or two from Gen Z’s blissful ignorance of traditional design rules. Just don’t expect them to ever admit it.

Gen Z: The Pinterest curators obsessed with personal branding

Gen Zs are defined by their desire to stand out – even if it means sacrificing timeless style for fleeting trends. Penfold says they are skilled curators with a sophisticated eye for mixing and matching.

“They love to inject their designs with personality in a way that older generations often shy away from,” she says. “They all have a personal brand they want to unveil to their families and friends on social media.

“They want bold colour choices and they want character in their home.”

When it comes to the specific trends that shape Gen Z’s approach to interiors, look no further than their digital shrine: Pinterest.

These self-proclaimed trendsetters represent 42 per cent of its global user base. According to Pinterest’s Midyear Trends Report, current trends are “deeply inspired by nature, evident in the rising popularity of rustic aesthetics and farmhouse cottage interiors”. The report also captured a 488 per cent increase in searches relating to “thrifted home”.

As trend forecaster Tully Walter has said, “there is almost a romance underpinned by the escapism of it all”.

‘There’s a fine line between collecting and a dog’s breakfast’: What Gen Z could learn from Millennials

The 70:30 rule has been a hallmark of Penfold’s advice for years: Dedicate 70 per cent of your interiors to classic staples, and 30 per cent to statement pieces.

“Like your wardrobe, your interiors should be based on a few timeless staples that can be mixed and matched,” she says.

“When we talk about classic staples, we’re talking about a great sofa, decent tables, a good mirror, elegant lamps and cushions. They’re the things you can take through life; they should be quality and fad-free.

“There is a fine line between collecting and hoarding a dog’s breakfast. You don’t want your room to look like a bazaar, so put a cap on the number of contrasting styles in one area.

“You want your room to look civilised, not like a busy nightmare.”

She suggests having a focal point – whether that’s a bold artwork, a rug or a vintage commode – and following a consistent colour scheme within a room.