Gen Z loves maximalist home decor – with wallpaper, animal print and stained glass galore

There’s a fine line between “old” and “obsolete” when it comes to homes, a new survey suggests.

That’s according to a survey of 2,000 American homeowners evenly split by generation. Results found 83% agree that it is easy for a house to lose its original charm and become outdated.

Many appreciate original hardwood floors (56%) and ornate, old-fashioned woodwork (37%), but they draw the line at popcorn ceilings (8%), root cellars (8%) and corners of telephone (8%).

Even 39% of young adults could admit that fully carpeted homes weren’t the best choice, and 16% of millennials are ready to ditch their namesake, the “millennial gray,” while 17% of Gen Z indicated him as a favorite. trend.

Wallpaper (31%), stained windows (30%) and wood paneling (26%) are also more popular with Gen Z than any other generation.

Conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Realty ONE Group, the survey sought to uncover key generational differences when it comes to the home buying and ownership journey.

“Farmhouse elegance” is declining in popularity with younger generations (28% for Gen Z and 34% for baby boomers), while “mid-century modern homes” are making their way to Gen X (25% ) and baby boomers (16%).

Animal print is more than five times more popular with Gen Z than with baby boomers (16% vs 3%), and it doesn’t look like nautical and beach themes (23%) or boho style (21%) are going away anywhere anytime as both still remain popular with the younger generation.

Overall, Americans prefer minimalism to maximalism (56% vs 23%), although 38% of Gen Z embrace bold colors and eclectic combinations.

Having a yard or lawn (57%), a garage (54%), an outdoor space such as a deck or patio (53%), and ample parking (34%) are all outdoor features that have withstood the test and ranked high on the importance list across the board.

However, having a place to set up a grill was more important to Gen X than any other generation (36%), while young adults say trees and shrubs are non-negotiable (42%), as well as a swimming pool or hot tub. hot for Gen Z. (32%).

When it comes to the community itself, most Americans prioritize safety (69%) and friendliness of neighbors (53%). Overall, access to shopping is tied to neighborhood friendliness for Gen Z (both 42%), while millennials look for quality schools (48%) over shopping options.

“One of the most critical aspects of buying a home, especially in this market, is working with a real estate professional who can help you identify your ‘needs.’ wants and find the perfect compromise, – said Kuba Jewgieniew, CEO and Founder of Realty ONE Group. “The same professional is a master negotiator, an expert on current trends and understands the different generations of buyers.”

When it comes to their current home ownership journey, 35% bought a home in a city or town they’ve never been to, and another 34% say it’s something they’d be open to.

In fact, the process took an average of six months from the time they decided to buy a home, to viewings, putting in an offer and the official transfer.

To find their current home, 29% worked with a realtor from the start, while 21% searched online in a target area. Of those who have worked with a realtor, most say they benefited from having them guide them through the process (57%) or found listings that worked (51%).

Although 29% of respondents say there is nothing they would do differently about the home buying process, 23% would take their time to consider all options, while 18% would be more realistic on budget and cost and 16% would not compromise on some things.

The survey also asked respondents for their most valuable advice when it comes to buying your first home. Those pieces of wisdom include: “take your time and don’t feel pressured to settle”, “focus on what you need and don’t allow distractions”, and “hire an inspector to look at the property”. before purchase.â€

At the end of the day, 67% of respondents believe their current home is their “forever home.”

“A real estate professional will take care of the intricacies of buying or selling your home so you can focus on what’s most important,” Jewgieniew said. “Certainly price (50%) is one of the top three non-negotiables, along with home size (41%) and location (39%) and your agent will help you sort those out to make it your perfect. man.â€

Survey methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 homeowners evenly split by generation (500 Gen Z, 500 millennials, 500 Gen X and 500 baby boomers); survey was commissioned by Realty One Group and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between Nov. 15 and November. 19, 2024.