10 Home Decor Essentials You'll Likely Find In Any Boomer's Home

Baby boomers, or simply boomers as younger generations call them, are people born between 1946 and 1964. In recent years, they've gotten a bit of a bad rap. Like generations before them, boomers have likely gotten a bad rap because younger people don't fully understanding their elders. Something that provides a peek into the subconscious of each generation, whether that's boomer, Gen X, or millenial, is their design style. Step into a boomer's house, and you'll notice a mix of comfort, personality, and nostalgia. It's almost like being teleported back in time. Often, boomer homeowners collect bits from each decade they've lived in, creating a sort of design time capsule. Large china hutches from the 1960s, warm midcentury modern furniture, floral patterned upholstery from the '80s, and polished brass lighting from the '90s all reflect the values boomers hold dear: warmth, durability, and family-centeredness.

However, tastes are shifting among younger generations. There were once big differences between Gen Z and millennial home decor trends. Millennials favored minimalism and neutral grays, while Gen Z leaned into bright colors and comfort. Now, millennials are rebelling — they're favoring the bold patterns and design styles Gen Z loves. They're also re-discovering the timeless appeal of the furniture and fixtures their parents and grandparents loved. Grandmillennial home design isn't just a style choice. It's a return to things that make a house feel like a home. Some boomer home features that will never go out of style, such as cozy throws, authentic midcentury modern furniture, and curated knickknacks, are proof that everything old really does become new again.

Large china cabinets or display cases are almost a staple in any boomer's home. More often than not, they're filled with treasures: a vintage china set passed down through the family, memorabilia from milestones, or carefully collected trinkets that each tell a story. These pieces of furniture are not only beautiful and sturdy, but they've often stood as silent witnesses to decades of family life. The challenge, however, comes later when a hutch is passed down to you. What do you do with such a massive, heavy piece that likely hasn't budged from its spot in years?

Polished brass table lamps had their big moment in the 1980s, showing up in countless middle-class homes. If you have boomer parents or grandparents, chances are those lamps are still around, complete with their accordion-style lampshades gathering a little dust. They were the perfect match for oversized cherrywood end tables. Many were touch lamps. They still bear the fingerprints of curious kids who couldn't resist turning them on and off.

For boomers, a matching living room set wasn't just an economical consideration. Buying all the furniture all at once often meant savings but was also a sign of maturity. Before steady jobs and homeownership, many people had a mix of hand-me-downs or pieces picked up during college. But once baby boomers bought homes and started families, a coordinated set of furniture signaled that they had officially stepped into adulthood.

Giant entertainment centers were a staple of the 1980s and 1990s. TVs were bulky until flat screens came along. If you were lucky enough, you had the latest movie-watching gadgets, such as a VCR and, later, a DVD player. You also needed space for the piles of VHS tapes and DVDs that they played. These oversized furniture pieces have since been scaled back thanks to streaming services and affordable flat screens. Of course, that doesn't mean your favorite boomer doesn't still have a full Matlock collection on VHS stashed away in the attic.

Expensive-looking window treatments with valances were once a hallmark of sophistication and elegance. You can still find large, elaborate curtains in, for example, the formal dining rooms of boomer homes. They're often in rich colors with satin-embossed designs. They're a hangover from the 1970s. The downside? These heavy drapes can make a room feel more closed-in than cozy, giving off a sense of formality rather than warmth and invitation.

Step into any boomer grandma's home, and you'll likely spot a fancy vase holding a dusty faux flower arrangement. The appeal was simple. A touch of beauty and nature without ever needing to be watered. It's a concept that many busy middle-class moms of the '80s embraced wholeheartedly. It's no wonder thrift stores are full of plastic bouquets of roses. For some boomers, plastic was a novelty when they were kids. They appreciated the practicality and versatility of anything made from the material.

Formal dining rooms were a big part of many middle-class boomers' childhoods. It's no surprise that they often carried the tradition into their own homes. This separate space was reserved for holiday meals, special occasions, and dinner parties, creating a sense of ceremony and togetherness. It was a place where families gathered and memories were made. Some boomers still value a formal dining room as a space that honors family traditions while evoking a comforting sense of nostalgia.

Some might say boomers prefer neutral and muted earth tones because they grew up surrounded by the psychedelic colors of the '60s and '70s. That may be true, but another big part of the appeal could be the calming, relaxing feeling that earth tones bring to a room. Whatever the reason, boomers tend to favor a more muted color palette in their home decor choices, creating spaces that feel warm, comfortable, and timeless.

Lace doilies and crocheted armrests are a telltale sign you're in a boomer grandma's home. They're not just decorative. They serve practical purposes, too. Doilies protect fancy wood tables from water rings left by vases, while crocheted armrests on sofas or chairs help prevent stains from constant use. They also carry a sense of nostalgia. Many women learned to crochet or make lace from their mothers or grandmothers — and if boomers are anything, they're nostalgic.

Tile countertops were popular in the early 1980s, right around the time many boomers were buying their first home. Back then, tile seemed like a durable and practical choice compared to other surface options. Plus, it offered flexibility. Homeowners could create unique kitchen or bathroom looks with different patterns and styles. Of course, the downside quickly became clear. The grout between those small square tiles was notoriously difficult to keep clean. It's no surprise this trend has since been replaced with sleek, low-maintenance slab countertops.