The conversation about the lifestyles or preferred lifestyles of today’s millennials is leading trends from real estate and development to interior design. The vocalization of the desires and needs is an enormous help to the market on all fronts. Rather than the market trends guessing about and driving the consumers – the consumers are speaking out and driving the trends.
I guess I’m not hearing anything new though. It seems that 30 years ago the wishes were similar- but there was no conduit to express the collective ideas and preferences. Upon graduation the want to stay connected to your peers, be close to bars and restaurants and fun shops was certainly a desire…but there was no platform to express those would-be market-driving desirable features. But what is happening is that the voice is more audible and the markets are responding . It’s an obvious result attributable to social media – fast, accessible voices sharing and communing about their lives and their dreams. Generation Y is telling everyone what will work for them and if you want their business – provide the products. After all, they ARE the Net Generation – living, eating and breathing and influencing all that bombards the screens from wrist watches to full mega monitors. The power of the internet.
They search and pin, collecting ideas and forming concepts about their interiors. Whether these interiors are in tiny urban condos or trendy lofts, suburban apartments or affordable houses, the trends are voiced. They prefer open plans, creative space-utilization, LED lighting, and all things tied to flat screen technology. But remember, there are practical things to consider in these millennial maisons.
When in a multi-unit building, rules apply – like certain percentages of flooring must be covered. Sound transmittance of hard surfaces must be minimized. This is true of other noise restrictions. Some places will not allow storage in parking spaces – which makes space-utilization all the more critical. Nor will they allow pets.
But the communal nature of this density housing is also great common areas to work and play. Office-like rooms for those who work from home but don’t want to be isolated in their unit. Swimming pools and workout rooms…lots of amenities – lots of style. 
This subject of interior design style for the millennials will continue next week…ideas and examples!
