What’s On the Inside
Getty Images/Andreas von Einsiedel
Sad beige moms, and the desaturation from Millennial Pink to Millennial Grey. Life has lost its luster, hue, and tone. Can Gen Z bring it back?
At the start of November, a TikTok by Emma Ganzarain went viral wherein the interior designer revamped her boyfriend’s apartment. To any run-of-the-mill twenty-something who thinks beer cans are decorations, this would be a welcome touch of expertise. However, the video went viral for all the wrong reasons. Warm lighting and contrasting tones gave way to a cool, monochromatic interior, and commenters lamented how the personality of the space was stripped bare. This backlash occurs within the growing distaste for the standards of interior design of the last decade. From articles showcasing the greyification of our objects to Mina Le’s video essay discussing how “greige” aesthetics began and persist, our modern world has become a blank canvas, and not in a good way. Interior design trends move slower than fashion for multiple reasons. Furniture is more expensive and difficult to move, meaning purchases last longer. Decor elements are more readily available, but they still must fit into the style of furniture back at home. Furthermore, the trendsetters for home design are the wealthy, who often favor minimalist interiors due to the status they currently hold. So, when deciding how to style a space, it is easier to turn to unobtrusive elements that lend cohesion. Basic colorways like black, grey, and white are the path of least resistance while still providing the most bang for your buck and maintaining an on-trend home. But Gen Z might save us. Classic generational rebellion has seen the pendulum swing away from copy-pasted neutrals to bright, welcoming designs. Where greige interiors are cold, astringent, and lack individuality, young consumers are seeking personality.
Gen Z places greater value on thrifting unique pieces and upcycling, both in fashion and furniture. Niche aesthetics inform their interior design choices, leading to statement pieces like a checkered rug or homemade candleholders from used wine bottles (the classier cousin to beer cans). The result is a maximalist approach to life, with gallery walls and disorganized coziness. When looking for places to live, they also put this philosophy into practice. If affordable, they prefer spaces with details such as hardwood floors, exposed brick, or working fireplaces. And if the space is too greige, they are more than willing to use peel-and-stick wallpaper to liven up their rentals. Rentals—that's the issue. Gen Z has already shifted the tides of interior design, but the bare bones can’t be so easily changed. Rising prices for homeownership have led to concerns that most of Gen Z will rent for the rest of their lives. Most updated or new rental properties have gray vinyl flooring, cool-toned built-ins (e.g., cabinets), and beige walls. It is easier for property managers and landlords to turn to these types of interiors due to their affordability and neutrality. This affordability suggests that greige will be with us for a long time because it is the easiest for property owners to maintain for the greatest return. Since most rental agreements restrict major renovations, Gen Z will continue to battle the greige shadow of minimalist design for the foreseeable future.
