Ah, Gen-Z. The digital natives who can TikTok while eating avocado toast and designing their dream apartment—all before 9 a.m.
They’ve got a knack for taking trends to the next level, and their interior design choices are no exception.
Here are ten Gen-Z decor trends so irresistible, even Millennials (you know, the original avocado-toast demographic) are furiously scribbling in their Moleskine notebooks.
1. Neon Signs: Bright Ideas, Literally
Nothing screams vibes like a neon sign proclaiming “Good Vibes Only” or a cryptic “It Was All a Dream.”
Millennials may have pioneered the inspirational quote wall art, but Gen-Z took it, added electricity, and turned it into a certified glow-up.
Now, Millennials everywhere are Googling “custom neon sign Etsy” faster than you can say “mid-century modern.”
2. Checkerboard Everything: It’s Hip to Be Square
Move over, chevron. Gen-Z has brought back the checkerboard pattern, and it’s plastered on everything from rugs to throw pillows to coffee mugs.
Millennials, who once clung to subtle geometrics, are now questioning why they ever thought gray triangles were edgy.
3. LED Strip Lights: Because Overhead Lighting is Oppressive
Gen-Z has declared war on harsh overhead lighting. Instead, their spaces glow with LED strip lights tucked under beds, around mirrors, and inside closets.
Millennials are discovering the joy of adjustable colors and wondering why they spent so much on Edison bulbs when they could’ve had a purple-lit living room.
4. Maximalist Gallery Walls: A Controlled Chaos
Minimalism is out, and Gen-Z’s gallery walls are in. These aren’t just random frames; they’re chaotic yet cohesive collages of art prints, magazine cutouts, and maybe a rogue Polaroid.
Millennials, who once meticulously measured gaps between their three monochrome frames, are suddenly embracing the “throw it all up there” ethos.
5. Funky Mirrors: Objects in Reflection Are Cooler Than They Appear
Wave-shaped, squiggly, or surrounded by a fuzzy frame, Gen-Z mirrors are a statement piece, not just a reflective surface.
Millennials, still recovering from their obsession with round mirrors, are now splurging on ones that look like they belong in an art gallery—or an acid trip.
6. Clashing Prints: Because Matching is Boring
Why stick to one pattern when you can have five? Gen-Z decor effortlessly mixes florals with stripes, polka dots with paisley, and somehow makes it work.
Millennials, who grew up matching their duvet covers to their curtains, are scratching their heads and then diving headfirst into the clash.
7. Plant Parenthood: The Jungle Vibes Are Real
While Millennials walked so Gen-Z could run (remember when Millennials started the fiddle-leaf fig craze?), Gen-Z has gone full Tarzan.
Their spaces overflow with plants, from pothos hanging in macrame holders to monsteras the size of small trees.
Millennials, who once proudly displayed their single succulent, are now juggling watering schedules for their burgeoning plant families.
8. Vintage, But Make It Y2K
Gen-Z doesn’t just love vintage; they love their version of vintage. Think lava lamps, inflatable chairs, and glittery beaded curtains that scream early-2000s sleepover.
Millennials, once obsessed with mid-century credenzas, are now buying tie-dye bean bags and pretending it’s for “nostalgia.”
9. DIY Everywhere: Pinterest, But Edgier
Gen-Z is the DIY generation, but they’ve swapped Pinterest perfection for chaotic creativity.
From hand-painting murals to making their own headboards out of pool noodles (yes, really), they’ve turned crafting into a bold, slightly unhinged art form.
Millennials, who once followed IKEA hacks to the letter, are now embracing the beauty of imperfection—after watching 12 TikTok tutorials, of course.
10. Statement Rugs: Who Needs Wall Art?
Forget neutral rugs that blend in with the furniture. Gen-Z rugs are loud, proud, and demand attention.
Whether it’s a cow print, a bold abstract design, or a shag carpet in neon green, the floor is officially the new focal point.
Millennials, who once prided themselves on tasteful jute rugs, are now embracing the idea that their living room can double as an art exhibit.
11. Why Are Millennials Copying Gen-Z?
Perhaps it’s because Millennials, after a decade of succulents and subway tiles, are ready to shake things up.
Or maybe it’s because Gen-Z is just so darn confident in their aesthetic choices that it’s hard not to take notice.
Whatever the reason, Millennials are quietly rebranding their homes with touches of Gen-Z flair—and maybe even a neon “Good Vibes Only” sign of their own.
So, if you’re a Millennial feeling the itch to redecorate, go ahead. Just remember to credit Gen-Z when your friends compliment your fuzzy mirror.