A Reddit discussion on r/Millennials prompted users to speculate on signature 'old person' decor items that define their generation. BuzzFeed compiled 19 responses highlighting trends influenced by HGTV, IKEA, and pop culture collectibles. Commenters foresee items like gray walls and Funko Pops becoming hallmarks of millennial homes in old age.
In a thread on the subreddit r/Millennials, users responded to the question: "What will be our signature 'old person' decor?" BuzzFeed writer Siena Egiljum, based in Los Angeles, gathered responses that reveal how millennial tastes, shaped by media and affordable furnishings, might endure.
Many pointed to HGTV-inspired elements. One user, harla007, predicted: "All the walls will be gray. And real, hardwood floors. Obviously, we will only do stainless appliances and granite counters. All open concept. Think of everything we saw on HGTV growing up, LOL." Others echoed this with mentions of shiplap (johnj71234), subway tiles (aries2084), and open floor plans, which scrundel noted could frustrate future generations: "The next few generations are going to be pissed we tore down all the walls and nobody can find any privacy in their own home."
Collectibles and gadgets featured prominently. Funko Pops were likened to boomer knick-knacks by a commenter born in 1981, who also mentioned hoarding old band T-shirts. Difficult_Cake_7460 described cube storage units: "Cube storage things — Ikea mostly, but I have bootleg ones from Costco. I've already vowed to throw them away like 10 times, but always find a use for them." Additional items included fairy lights, salt lamps, movie prop swords like those from Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones (Tribblehappy), physical video games (Jimger_1983), multiple TVs (meowmeowroar), and McDonald's Disney cups.
Some responses highlighted disposability. Majestic-Lake-5602 observed: "So much of that classic boomer decor still exists because it was built to last, whereas a lot of our stuff is very disposable and short-lived. I almost think there won't be a distinctive millennial style because all of it will be in landfill." Other suggestions included geometrical wall art and chevrons with mint accents (a_mom_who_runs), words as art like 'Live, laugh, love' (anonymous), a box of cables (anonymous), old consoles (anonymous), and gray floors (anonymous).
The discussion, edited for clarity by BuzzFeed, invites further comments on evolving millennial aesthetics.