I have been reading lately about the changing lifestyles that affect the consumer demands for comfort in their homes, and I am very fascinated by it. As an interior designer, its so important to know what these trends are that affect how I help my clients in planning their homes.
Each generation is readjusting their needs as a result of the recession we’ve experienced in the last few years.
- Baby Boomers are finding that they may just have to stay put in their homes, and consequently may need to reinvent the use of space for more efficiency. Many who may have thought about downsizing for retirement, simply cannot do that due to the changes they have experienced in their home values. They may be looking at ways to install in-law suits for their aging parents or opening up compartmentalized rooms to make bigger spaces for their extended family and hosting family gatherings.
- Gen X’ers are looking to make small spaces live large. They’ve learned from their parents that they don’t need the big houses with big upkeep and big monthly bills. Instead they put room function as the most important with open floorplans that can house multiple uses such as open kitchen /family room spaces that bring the outdoors in. They value the total exterior of their homes including front porches and backyard space
- Gen Now, the youngest group of homeowners, demand fluidity in their living spaces and will most likely influence the rest of us with their unique solutions to open-space living. They value their career and their passion for hobbies or outdoor activities and want their “shelter” to encompass all of their interests under one roof: work, play, social activities, family, function and storage conveniently and compactly.
Individuality, active pursuits, enjoying the outdoors, making way for family and casual entertaining seem to be a common thread in the desire for making our homes reflect who we are and what we value in our lives, regardless of which generation categorizes us. What I have found in this research is that now more than ever, we are affected by the changing world around us and its this rapid change that has affected our desire for a more functional living space.
http://www.pbid-interiordesign.com photography courtesy of Pinterest and selected to illustrate the design ideas suggested in this article.
