Exactly who or what is Gen X? Generation X falls between Baby Boomers and Millennials. If you think of America as a family unit, Gen Z’ers are the youngest sibling, millennials the eldest, and baby boomers are the grandparents… making Gen X’ers the adults of the household.
If you were born between 1965 and 1980, you can proudly call yourself Generation X! You’re what Canadian publication MacLeans calls “the original latchkey kid,” and there are approximately 65 million of your generation nationally.
With boomers fast aging into the ‘senior’ category, Gen X is having its moment in the spotlight. In short, they’re reaching their prime working, earning, and living years, which means, of course, they’re also in the midst of their home remodeling years.
What The Data Shows
From keepingintouchwith.co.uk
Believe it or not, Gen X is reshaping the home remodeling market with their requests and preferences.
According to a survey conducted by Houzz, Gen X and Baby Boomers lead the pack when it comes to home renovations. Boomers set the pace at 50 percent of the market for home renovation requests, and Gen Xers are right behind them at 35.
Also according to Houzz, Gen Xers are far more likely to invest in a remodeling project that they’ve wanted for a long time, rather than plunging into a renovation on a newly purchased property. It seems that Gen Xers lean towards fiscal prudence, holding off on home improvement projects until they are financially comfortable enough to afford them.
Eighty-five percent of remodeling Gen X’ers are hiring professionals rather than committing to a DIY project, and they’re most often spending on specialty projects. Specialty contractors have expertise in specific areas of home renovation, often working on kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. Other specialties may include painting, tile, millwork, built-in cabinetry, or molding – cosmetic touches that often require expertise outside the contractor’s scope.
Business publication Ladders News observes that Gen X takes the same approach in business as in life. According to Ladders, Gen Xers are direct, diligent, collaborative, and work hard to maintain a comfortable balance between their work and home life. In addition, they seem to have a reserved relationship with technology; unlike their elders, they are capable of using technology, but unlike their younger counterparts, they aren’t as likely to be glued to their electronics 24/7.
The Gen X Lifestyle
From brandquarterly.com
So what can we glean from all of this information, especially as it pertains to remodeling?
To us, it points to the fact that Gen Xers appreciate the finer things in life. They have worked hard, saved judiciously, and are now ready to spend their hard-earned cash on high-quality home upgrades. They are now splashing out on selected luxuries, fine finishings, and upscale appliances, and chances are, they don’t have a gaggle of young children in the house. The style focus is more mature and refined, with all the fixings that you’d expect in a high-functioning adult’s home.
In keeping with the Gen Xers ‘hybrid’ relationship with technology, updating the home without going wildly high-tech may be preferable. You can enjoy traditional designs with contemporary sensibilities without straying into digital territory. Basement bars, modern kitchens with high-quality specialty appliances, spa-styles bathrooms, media rooms, and luxe master suites are all highly sought-after renovation projects that deliver on comfort, convenience, and luxury.
If you’re looking for an improvement project for the outdoors, you may enjoy a resort-style pool and hot tub, a new deck, or a barbecue and lounge area for entertaining guests. If you’re eco-oriented, energy-efficient windows, doors, insulation, and water features are a worthwhile investment. Not only do they help to reduce your carbon and water footprint, but they can also save you a significant chunk of change on your electric bill!
The Bottom Line
From Shutterstock
As a Gen Xer, you should be able to play just as hard as you work. Your home is your greatest asset, which means that you are investing in yourself when you invest in it. And if you are like most of our clients, you are diligent, hard-working, detail-oriented, involved, and collaborative, so you need a design-build team that is as committed to quality as you are.
If you live in Maryland or Washington, DC, think of Winthorpe Design & Build as your home improvement collaborator. Our passion for home improvement is surpassed only by the talent that surrounds us. We’d love to show you what sets our work apart from the rest. Connect with us today, and let’s talk about your ideas.
