Millennials. At 71 million strong, they’re impacting everything from the death of bar soap to the rise in frozen food sales. And no one seems to be keeping track of their needs and wants more than the housing industry. Due to their numbers and spending power, millennials are a primary target market for developers of both rental and for-sale housing.
This is a generation focused on health and well-being, work/life balance and working collegially rather than competitively. They prefer simplicity in their lives and lead a minimalist lifestyle, with few collectibles, and abhor clutter. Technology is an integral part of everyday life for this “Uber generation” that prefers to rideshare rather than drive, use Spotify rather than purchase CDs, and pay with their phone rather than a wallet.
These generational characteristics impact millennials’ choices in kitchen and bath design as well. And, now that millennials represent the largest share of home buyers at 36%, according to the National Association of Realtors, developers need to start paying even more attention to the design preferences of this cohort.
Why? Because kitchens and baths are so important to millennials that, according to a 2016 study by the National Kitchen & Bath Association, they outspend other age groups when remodeling their kitchens and bathrooms, spending an average of 17.7% more than the $19,155 typically invested in a kitchen remodel and a whopping 42.3% more than the $11,364 normally allocated to remodel a bathroom.
Here are three things to remember when designing kitchens and baths for millennials.
Technology is Essential
Millennials use technology to save time and money in every aspect of their daily lives – including the kitchen and bathroom.
This demographic loves to cook, and they’ve honed their skills by watching their favorite chefs on television or tablets, as opposed to prior generations, who learned at the side of their mothers or grandmothers. Millennials research everything, even cooking techniques and recipes, and gain experience by watching YouTube videos. Cooking is not viewed as a chore, it’s a form of entertainment and socializing. It’s also driving design trends in kitchens.
According to the 2018 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study, one in seven homeowners incorporates new electronics in the kitchen when they renovate. The most popular: televisions, docking or charging stations, wireless/Bluetooth speakers and home assistants like Amazon Alexa.
Appliance manufacturers are responding as well, and high-tech features, such as color touchscreen controls or built-in speakers, are included in 25% of new appliances, according to the Houzz study. Smart technology, which allows millennials to control appliances remotely, is also popular.
Even fixtures now include technology features. At 57%, more than half of the faucets homeowners select when upgrading are high-tech, per the 2019 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study. These faucets improve water efficiency and have features like no-fingerprint coatings or touch-free activation.
And since the majority of millennials take their cell phones into the bathroom, developers should consider integrating a charging station into a bathroom design, as well as larger countertops to provide more space, creating a “splash-free” zone. Great bathroom lighting and sufficient counter space is also important for the growing number of beauty vloggers who use their bathroom as their office. In 2018, beauty-related content generated more than 169 billion views on YouTube compared with 59 million views in 2016.
A Kitchen with Multiple Personalities
Nowhere is the desire for group activities and social interaction among millennials on display more than in the common spaces of today’s newest condo and apartment projects, where you find unlimited lounges and often multiple demonstration kitchens. So it’s no surprise that a layout that fosters socialization should also be evident in the kitchen design of individual units.
Not only do kitchen designs need to be open to living spaces to allow for an easy flow when entertaining, but they also need to serve multiple uses for millennials – from cooking and crafts to coding and cocktails. In fact, according to Remodeling magazine, almost half of millennials prefer luxury kitchens with lounge furniture that serves more than one purpose.
Many of the aforementioned activities can take place at a kitchen island, which remains a popular design choice valued by millennials. According to the 2017 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study, 49% of millennials opt for islands, compared to 36% of baby boomers.
Millennials also prefer having multiple work stations in their kitchens, to encourage collaborative cooking and socializing. Counter heights should vary to allow guests to remain at eye level when they’re sitting at a counter and chatting with someone chopping vegetables.
Make the Design Modern and Open
Perhaps more so than any other generation, millennials consider their homes to be a reflection of themselves. They look to express themselves in unique and authentic ways, including in their kitchens and baths, so finishes need to be modern, yet neutral enough that they will enhance any kind of aesthetic or personalization the resident brings to the space.
Perhaps more so than any other generation, millennials consider their homes to be a reflection of themselves. They look to express themselves in unique and authentic ways, including in their kitchens and baths, so finishes need to be modern, yet neutral enough that they will enhance any kind of aesthetic or personalization the resident brings to the space.
That neutrality is even evident in the kitchen and bathroom cabinet preferences of millennials. According to the 2017 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study, millennials are more likely to opt for Modern or Farmhouse styles, while Traditional styles are nearly twice as popular with boomers.
Now the largest generation in the workforce, millennials will no doubt influence kitchen and bath design for years to come. The only question now is if developers are prepared to meet their needs.
