young millennial workers sit around the office and chat From shopping styles to real estate to how we communicate, millennials are uprooting old traditions and sweeping in the new. This includes interior design. Less based on the conventional design styles of the past, millennial decor is instead a set of values: affordable, versatile, comfortable, and customizable — without compromising on style. Sound picky? WELL, This demographic is worth accommodating: there are around 79 million millennials in the U.S., and they account for 32% of all home furnishing purchases. Here’s how you can market your space towards them.

Create a Place to Live and Work

The line between home and work is becoming increasingly blurred, and millennial decor needs to accommodate both needs. To accomplish this, flexibility and versatility are key. Can the decor in your home or office be shifted to meet the needs of the day? What is an individual workspace at noon may need to become a conference table at 4 p.m., and then a group eating area later in the evening. Buying multiple small- and medium-sized tables will help you rearrange workspaces with ease. Clever storage spaces and ottomans that double as seating or desktop surfaces are another way to transition a room from work to home. Sectionals that can be easily rearranged can also work. Millennials are increasingly working remotely. A recent Gallup report found that 43% of the workforce is now remote, with millennials making up a large portion of that group. As such, millennials are turning coffee shops and coworking spaces into their offices. Restaurants and cafes that want to cater to this market should consider selecting more comfortable chairs, adding electrical outlets, or buying a large table where remote workers can cowork.

Compact is Key

Millennials aren’t interested in filling four-bedroom apartments with stuff they’ll rarely use. The trade-off is the need for compact but highly functional spaces. Demand for studio and one-bedroom apartments continues to climb across the U.S., with these layouts accounting for more than 54% of the apartment rental market. From there, an open concept is key. Millennials want to design their space, not fit it around an existing layout. If you’re building or renovating, consider creating an open-flow layout between the kitchen and living room. Instead of a wall, try adding storage-generous shelving or another piece of furniture that can be moved for both room division and function. Beds with built-in storage will also help minimize clutter in small spaces. Building Solutions recommends that apartments and offices create common spaces that can be customized for short periods of time. That means leaving a room free for hosting a Game of Thrones viewing party or an open exercise space where millennials can bring yoga mats, weights, and other workout gear of their choosing.

Incorporate Tech

Any room designed for millennials better be one with ample space for technology and all the accompanying accessories. Offices, businesses, and landlords should ensure a space is internet-ready, as this is one of the first needs of the millennial market. There should also be plenty of electrical outlets around. Ones equipped with USB charging ports are particularly valuable.

Make Instagram-Worthy Spaces

Millennial decor is always ready for a photoshoot. At-home lives are becoming less private, and millennials want to share every aspect of their life, from their morning routine to their beauty regime to their lunch prep (and the results). Instagram-worthy businesses, offices, and apartments incorporate plenty of natural light, color, mixed patterns, accent areas, and layers — aka a vase on a coffee table book on a nice table runner. For inspiration, we suggest following @roomor_ (gorgeous whites and woods meet interior garden) and @consortdesign (unique room arrangements in all styles). Speaking of Instagram, apartments, businesses, and coworking spaces targeting the millennial market should up their social media presence. Platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest are key at attracting this demographic, and business account features of each can convert photo viewers into buyers with just a few clicks and a small budget. Here are a few tips to make your space photo-ready. The best way to know if your interior design choices are a hit? Take to Instagram and survey the millennial market yourself — it allows you to A/B test design like never before. The Back Store offers furniture that balances modern style with comfort and function. Check out our inventory today to see how our pieces can fit your design goals!