“The master baths, in many cases, are as large as the master bedrooms, and are equipped with soaking tubs, steam showers, two separate vanity areas, or two individual bathrooms,” Wedlick explains. “Baby boomers are independent thinkers. Often both spouses are, or have been, working, so at home they want to be together, but with amenities that don’t require them to compromise. They each want their own space in the bathroom.
“Often, they also request a home gymnasium or recreational outdoor spaces off the master bedroom and bath,” he says.
The desire for a resort-like atmosphere and amenities at home also influences the style of the dĂ©cor and furnishings. Because they’re not as concerned with the appearance of rooms for home resale, they feel free to experiment. “Boomers prefer an eclectic mix of styles that includes elements they can relate to and that reflect where they grew up,” Wedlick says. “If they grew up in the South, for example, they want the details of southern architecture included in their homes. If they admire Shaker furniture, they want Shaker accents.”
Binkley notes that baby boomers will set the trend for younger generations. “There is a trickle-down effect, including a desire for fresh, contemporary design — no nostalgia,” he says.
Remember the “in-law suites” of a decade ago? Those are “out” as far as boomers are concerned. “Though they are very family-oriented, baby boomers have no intention of having the kids move back in after college,” Binkley says. “Neither do they intend to create spaces in which their aging parents will live. They prefer to house them in a facility down the street; they have the income to take care of them in that way.”
Finally, regarding their preferences for eco-friendly environments, Wedlick notes, “Although baby boomers are concerned about green issues, they don’t want to compromise their amenities to achieve eco-friendly spaces. But they do want the best for the environment and their neighborhoods. They want to feel good about themselves.”
In summary, the next American home designed for baby boomers is all about capturing the “fun” in “functional” for this “feel-good, live-well” generation.
Wanda Jankowski is a design and building industry journalist based in New York.