Driven by the unique experiences of their generation, Millennials’ décor choices, shopping patterns, and design influences are all different from those of earlier generations. The power of the Millennial in the next 5 years will impact design on all Americans. Here are three key elements influencing Millennials and design.

1. Diverse Tastes. Millennials have grown up in a period when US family structures are radically diversifying. According to Technomic, 41% of US Millennials are members of ethnic or racial minorities – more than any previous generation. Millennials’ design and home furnishing tastes reflect that. They are more willing to take risks- risk means something different to them- so they are comfortable with a variety of design styles and products.  They might need a design mentor  to help them focus.

2. Love Customization. Millennials have been said to have a high level of self-awareness and focus. They want to “understand their place in the world and what it means,” and are keen to customize everything. That’s right up our alley.

3. Always Connected. Compared to other generations, American Millennials are more likely to view technology as simplifying, instead of complicating, life and are more likely to text regularly, use social networking, and adopt an “always-on” lifestyle.  According to iProspect,  affluent millennials who refer to themselves as influencers, purchase products and services online on a daily basis, while Generation Xers purchase weekly and Baby Boomers purchase monthly. Is your online prescence Mobile?

Plus, •  Millennials will shift from conspicuous to conscious consumption.  Social, environmental, and ethical values will guide Millennials’ purchases , a characteristic already seen in their rent-rather-than-buy attitudes of the sharing economy.  Why buy a car when Zipcar will get you where you want to go without the hassles of car payments and maintenance?  Why buy an expensive dress you’ll only wear once, when RentTheRunway.com lets you borrow designer-brand fashion for a ‘one night stand?