Double Play: Designs that appeal to both baby boomers and millennials

Today, baby boomers and millennials make up the largest demographic in the nation. Over the next decade, these two groups are expected to dominate the housing market as they prepare to buy new homes. As home builders, architects, and design marketers, we must be prepared to meet that demand.

By incorporating the design features these buyers are looking for, we can successfully appeal to both groups, providing them with exactly what they need, based on their similarities and differences.

Similarities:

• The desire to downsize. Millennials don’t have a lot of “stuff,” while boomers don’t need as much space anymore if they have empty nests. Both buyers are looking for a smaller home to call their own. Anywhere from 1,850 to 1,900 square feet is the medium size that attracts both types of buyers.
• Focus on a great kitchen space. Whenever a meeting is organized, everyone gravitates towards the kitchen. It is the “heart” of the home. Boomers and Millennials recognize this and are drawn to homes that offer a well-designed, open kitchen, optimized for entertaining guests and cooking together as a family.
• A large open room. These shoppers envision fun and social interactions happening in a central area. Both Millennials and Boomers are “experience-oriented” and therefore often entertain family, friends, children, grandchildren, or co-workers. Integrating the dining, living and kitchen areas for a space that can accommodate a variety of situations is ideal for both types of buyers.
• Outdoor living space that they love. Whether grilling outside on summer nights, playing in the garden, or enjoying the sunset with friends and family, Boomers and Millennials alike demand an outdoor living space and often they are willing to pay more than $ 5,000 for an improved outdoor area.
• Provide space for flexible rooms. Boomers are looking for an additional space that can change over time and adapt to their hobbies and interests. Millennials need a space that can accommodate the growing size of their family. Having this space available in your plans is ideal for both types of buyers.
• Pets need love too. For Boomers and Millennials alike, pets are members of the family. Both groups appreciate the special space for their pets, as well as the storage space for all their food, toys, and other necessities. A nook under the ladder for a pet bed or built-in storage space in the laundry room will catch your shoppers’ interest as they envision a comfortable area for their furry family member while keeping food and supplies out of the way. view.
• Be careful with the stairs. Many Millennials work around a fast-growing family with young children. Boomers are looking for a space that requires less physical maintenance so they can focus more on relaxing and having fun. For both lifestyles, stairs can be inconvenient. Therefore, consider avoiding the use of stairs in your floor plans whenever you can.

Differences:

• Independent living rooms. The boomers had formal living rooms in their former homes that were rarely used. Now, boomers don’t want or need that extra living area. Creates unused space that requires unnecessary maintenance. Millennials, on the other hand, want a separate living room to “show off” to guests. Although this could be considered a “formal” living space, Millennials will keep this area more informal than the Boomers’ previous formal living rooms.
• The great garage debate. Being environmentally conscious, Millennials tend to embrace public transportation and carpooling. They don’t necessarily need a garage for vehicle parking, although they can use it to store bikes, sports equipment, or garden supplies. However, they may prefer to have the square footage indoors, rather than in a garage. Boomers also use their garages for more than just cars. They can be used as a workspace, additional storage, or a place to store their golf clubs, skis, and other gear. Boomers often want a three-car garage, even if they are a one-car family.
• Energy efficiency. Energy efficient houses appeal to the postwar population, saving them time and hassle. In fact, 76% of them are willing to spend the extra cost on efficiency package upgrades that can save them at least $ 100 a month. Millennials feel that these types of options should already be included in the home and they will not pay more for this function.
• Storage. At this point in their lives, boomers are downsizing, but they don’t necessarily want to get rid of all the items they’ve collected over the years. 71% of boomers are willing to spend an additional $ 5,000 on an area designated solely for storage. Because experiences are more important than tangible items, less than half of the Millennial population is willing to pay more for storage in their homes.
• Rent, rent, rent. Great Start Site Awards are popular with Boomers. This is not the case for Millennials. With less money to spend, Millennials are more focused on being close to good schools, lush parks, and shopping, rather than having a home on a premium site within the community. Boomers have the means to buy a home with the best views, in a desirable part of town, or perhaps a good location on a golf course or near the beach.

Boomers and millennials have striking similarities and some differences, too. By paying attention to what they are looking for, architects, builders, model home dealers, and designers can offer homes that resonate with these buyers and help them visualize their dreams. When creating homes and communities to attract these two buyer segments and their similarities, it is indeed a double game!