Gen Z's Favorite Decorating Trends Are Surprisingly Retro, According to Designers

There’s a common saying that the generation before us paves the path for those who come next. And while that is certainly true in many cases, there are plenty of times when the next generation leads the way, setting in motion new trends and creatively reinventing the old ones. Case in point? Gen Z’s impact on design.

Now that many Gen Zers (aka anyone born between 1997 to 2012) are moving into homes of their own, we’re getting a good look at their influence on design trends and, let’s just say, the future is looking very retro. “Many of the design trends Gen Z homeowners are helping to resurrect remind me of my own ‘90s experience growing up,” says designer Nureed Saeed of Nu Interiors. “I kind of laugh thinking about how my 15-year-old self is cool again.”

If you're curious as to what the next generation is ushering down the pipeline, we’re here to decode all things Gen Z design. As with anything in design, we’re not saying any of the below ideas are new, per se—just that they’re reemerging fresh, with a confident Gen Z twist. Consider this your permission to adapt the below however you feel suits your personality best—which is really the most Gen Z approach of all.

Bold Colors

No, of course Gen Z did not invent color, but they’re at least partially responsible for everything looking brighter and bolder these days. Gone is the era of Millennial gray and in its place is a veritable rainbow of hues, from vibrant cherry red to acidic brat green. “Red is a big pop color for home accessories that I see my Gen Z clients loving,” says Saeed. “The purple of the ‘90s is also making a resurgence—I’m seeing a lot of purple kitchen cabinets a la the Friends kitchen, but done in a chic way.”

Thrifted and Vintage Decor

Our homes and the economy are undeniably intertwined, but that’s not the only reason that Facebook marketplace and the local flea market are the hottest places for Gen Z to shop. One of the first generations to be raised with a full purview into the impacts of fast fashion and climate change, Gen Zers are innately aware of their impact on the environment, making shopping secondhand a natural choice. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that this retro-loving generation has a soft spot for patina and a good furniture origin story, either.

Gingham

Gingham is another '90s home decor trend that's making its way back into our vocabulary, says Saeed, who credits the recent cottagecore trend for the resurgence of the country-chic fabric. That said, Gen Zers aren’t going full Laura Ingalls Wilder with their love of this classic print. True to their boundary-breaking DNA, they’re giving it a modern spin. “Instead of the all pale blue gingham wallpaper, matching sheets, and sunflower accessories of the '90s, they’ll opt instead for an unexpected pop of color, like a hot pink or bright green gingham fabric used sparingly in pillows or a window treatment against more modern solid colors,” Saeed says.

All Things ‘90s

You may have already picked up on it, but Gen Zers are in their ‘90s era of design. From plush fruit-shaped pillows and acid hues to mushroom lamps and squiggles that look right out of a Nickelodeon after-school special, there’s a '90s spin to current home decor offerings that is, frankly, hard to ignore. Let’s just hope inflatable furniture isn’t next.

Grandma Florals

Time to call up Mom and see if she still has your old Laura Ashley bedding set in the attic. According to designer Rosanna Bassford of Memmo Interiors, grandma florals are back in a big way with Gen Z. “Laura Ashley was huge in the '80s, with its floral prints gracing everything from clothing to bedding,” she adds. “Gen Z has brought the vibe back hand-in-hand with the cottagecore trend. These days, it has a similar European-inspired look, with petite floral prints at the center.”

No “Big” Lights

Gen Z is all about dopamine decor—aka, the idea that home decor should not only look pretty, but it should actually make you feel good, too. One sacrifice they’ve made in the name of good vibes? Overhead lighting. Rather than living beneath harsh and glaring overhead lights once the sun goes down, Gen Z dwellers prefer to exist amongst secondary lighting sources, turning to sconces, lamps, and even LED strip lights to set a glow.

Post-Modernism 

Truly, Gen Z has a design style all its own, but if we could peg it to one era, we’d say it leans towards post-modernism. Originally popularized in the 1970s and ‘80s, postmodernism puts a focus on bright colors, bold design, and sculptural statement pieces to create a standout aesthetic in any space. Just take one look at the Los Angeles home of Emma Chamberlain—aka the patron saint of Gen Z style—to get a feel for how this design era is influencing all the cool kids.