Furniture trends baby boomers avoid, Digi Mart USA News: Baby boomers are often highly discerning about home decor because they have seen many trends come and go. Interior designers interviewed by House Digest say practicality and ease of use are among the most important considerations when furnishing a space for this generation.
Cara Woodhouse, founder and principal designer of Cara Woodhouse Interiors, says many of her boomer clients have little patience for ultra-low, sculptural furniture that sits close to the ground. She says boomers tend to favor a more comfortable seat height, proper support and generous proportions, while still appreciating architectural designs that are functional.
Artem Kropovinsky, owner of Arsight Studio, points to banquette seating as a poor fit because it offers limited back support and can leave the person in the middle stuck until others stand. He says boomers generally prefer traditional dining chairs that provide back support during longer meals.
Lisette David, lead interior designer at Modern Concept Interiors, says boomers tend to avoid overly bright colors and prefer neutral tones such as beige and brown. She notes that such neutrals can be layered with replaceable accents like throws and cushions and fit with calmer, naturally inspired palettes.
David also says some boomers find animal-shaped or highly sculptural furniture impractical, citing a horse-shaped lamp and a rabbit-shaped chair as examples. She adds that some boomers do not view such pieces as functional art.
Kropovinsky says solid stone coffee tables, which he notes can weigh around a hundred pounds, are difficult to move and can have rough angular corners. He adds that marble can stain if not properly maintained, and that many clients prefer an upholstered ottoman with a tray or a wooden table with soft edges that can be moved.
Woodhouse says many boomer clients are tired of boucle, which she describes as having been everywhere until recently. She says these clients want furniture that does not feel tied to one moment in time and are drawn to wools, velvets, linens, leathers and tactile performance fabrics.
Kropovinsky also says boomers often avoid high-gloss finishes, recalling how fingerprints and chips are hard to manage. He says they prefer wood with satin or matte finishes, which are easier to repair and feel warmer.
David says armless sofas can feel unfinished to boomers, who may ask where they can rest their arms, and Kropovinsky says heavily patterned upholstery is seen as a step backward, with a solid linen and accent patterns on smaller pieces preferred instead.
Woodhouse adds that boomers tend to recognize quality quickly and are less interested in fast, cheaply made furniture that looks good online but feels flimsy in person. The designers say boomers favor substantial construction, lasting materials and a curated mix of pieces that gives a room a collected, personal character rather than a matching showroom look.
