Millennial home buyers — the generation once mocked for spending too much money on avocado toast — are now the nation's largest group of home buyers, surpassing baby boomers and Generation X.
According to new data from the National Association of Realtors, millennials (those born between 1981 and 1998) made up 43% of all U.S. home buyers in 2021 — up from 37% in 2020.
Around 66 million strong, millennial home buyers and their buying preferences are quickly becoming a driving force behind building and trends. This is a generation focused on customization, technology, sustainability and living a clean, minimal lifestyle, all of which is reflected in the layout and design of their homes and kitchens.
What millennials want
Ultimately, millennials want to create homes that express their styles, identities and values. What does that look like? Here are some trends in kitchen and home design for millennial buyers.
Party-ready kitchens
Millennials crave social interaction and space for group activities. They want open kitchens with easy flow for entertaining and socializing and multiple workstations to collaborate on cooking, prep and cleanup.
That includes large islands where they can prep and eat that avocado toast while mingling with family and friends. "Of the homeowners who upgraded or added an island, 39% went for one that, on average, measures over seven feet in length, an increase of five percentage points in 2022 compared with 2021," according to the 2022 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study.
Functional design touches
Even before the pandemic, many millennials were telecommuting for work or extending their days by working additional hours from home. So, when looking for their first homes or remodeling their existing ones, millennial home buyers put a premium on flexible, productive spaces that offer places to work, play and relax.
"This often means an open-concept kitchen with multi-purpose areas for social gatherings, entertainment, and perhaps space to function as a home office," notes Simply Kitchens, a national kitchen cabinet retailer. Built-in desks or workstations, coffee stations or wine zones, and separate walk-in pantries are functional design trends millennials have embraced.
Sustainability and energy-efficiency
Millennials are more eco-conscious than previous generations, and they seek out sustainable and energy-efficient lighting options that can be centrally controlled for ultimate versatility.
LED lighting throughout the homes and kitchens, decorative pendants made from recycled or sustainable materials over islands and under-cabinet lights for cooking and prep are all part of the ideal millennial home design. To create a mood for entertaining or to brighten up their Zoom calls, millennials want smart lighting options controlled via home assistants, sensors or apps.
Samsung understands the need to support millennials looking for sustainable and energy-conscious solutions for their homes — and we can help you show your customers you understand that, too! Samsung products have won numerous EPA and Energy Star awards, and we continue to find new ways to create more energy efficient solutions.
"Smart" everything!
This is the tech generation, and millennials expect to use technology to control most features in their homes through their smartphones, home assistants or tablets. That includes kitchen appliances with high-tech features, like Samsung's Family Hub™ refrigerators, which allow homeowners to look inside their refrigerators remotely, create shopping lists, send notes and sync family schedules, change the kitchen lighting, stream music and even see who's at their front doors — all from the refrigerator and app.
Customizable options
Millennials want their homes to reflect who they are and their unique personalities. The all-white and farmhouse-style kitchens that were popular with previous generations are giving way to more eclectic designs and bold, colorful design choices, according to a home buyer survey by private builder Ashton Woods.
"Around 60% of homeowners would consider colorful kitchen appliances to add a bold aesthetic element to the kitchen. Colorful appliances were most appealing to homeowners in the millennial and generation X cohorts," noted BuilderOnline magazine, which reported on the survey.
Millennials looking to customize their spaces have plenty of options, including Samsung's Bespoke appliances. This line allows homeowners, for example, to choose the colors and features of a refrigerator for custom kitchen looks that suit their unique homes and lifestyle.
Millennials will be the dominant home buyers for years to come. By understanding their patterns and preferences, builders can ensure their homes will stand out and attract this digitally native and socially-oriented generation.