A single photo could decide whether your listing gets a showing or gets swiped past. First impressions are digital, and staging has never been more powerful. According to the National Association of Realtors, 83% of buyers’ agents say staging makes it easier for clients to picture a property as their future home, and nearly 1 in 5 report that staging can boost offers by 1–5% compared to unstaged homes.
That’s not just cosmetic—it's a competitive advantage. And with Millennials and Gen Z now making up the largest share of homebuyers, the stakes are even higher. These generations grew up online, shop with their eyes, and expect every listing to tell a lifestyle story, not just display square footage.
In this article, you’ll discover:
- Who’s buying today and how generational preferences shape demand.
- What younger buyers expect online—from photos to floor plans to immersive tours.
- How virtual staging works as the bridge between Boomer-owned homes and Millennial/Gen Z buyers.
- Design and décor styles that resonate across generations, plus smart ways to highlight sustainability, tech, and multifunctional spaces.
By the end, you’ll know how to transform any listing—especially older properties—into scroll-stopping, offer-generating content that speaks directly to the next generation of homebuyers.
Who’s Buying Homes Today? The Generational Shift
Millennials and Gen Z are reshaping the housing market, but Boomers still play a major role. According to the 2025 NAR Home Buyers and Sellers Report:
- Boomers (ages ~61–79) dominate the selling side. Younger Boomers alone represent 31% of all sellers, and Older Boomers add another 22%. Together, they account for more than half of the homes coming onto the market.
- Millennials (ages ~27–45) make up the largest pool of younger buyers, responsible for nearly 1 in 3 home purchases (12% younger Millennials + 17% older Millennials). They’re also 19% of sellers, showing they’re not just entering the market—they’re moving up in it.
- Gen Z (ages ~18–26) is a smaller but growing force, currently 3% of buyers and 2% of sellers. As they age into their late 20s, their share is expected to rise quickly.
The takeaway: Boomers may still control much of the supply as sellers, but Millennials are the biggest demand driver—and Gen Z is right behind them. Real estate agents need to stage listings with younger buyers in mind, because they represent the future of transactions.
What Buyers Expect Online
Today’s buyers do most of their searching online, and what they value depends on their generation. According to NAR’s 2025 Home Buyers and Sellers Report:
- Millennials (ages 26–44) are the most visually driven buyers. 83–86% say photos are the most useful website feature, making high-quality, staged images essential. They also prioritize detailed property information (74–79%), want floor plans (54–55%), and are the most engaged with virtual tours (36–47%) and videos (31–33%). This shows they don’t just want pictures—they expect immersive, transparent experiences that help them imagine how a home works for their lifestyle.
- Gen Z (ages 18–25) is still a small share of buyers, but their digital expectations mirror Millennials. For them, staged photos are a baseline, while interactive features like videos, maps, and tours will only grow in importance as their share of the market expands.
- Gen X (ages 45–59) also ranks photos as highly valuable (83%), but they lean slightly more toward floor plans (61%) and virtual tours (42%) than younger groups. This reflects their focus on practicality—understanding layout and flow before scheduling a showing.
- Boomers and the Silent Generation (ages 60–99) value photos too (63–79%), but less than younger buyers. They are less engaged with videos (21–25%) or interactive maps (13–23%), relying more on traditional listing details like property info (63–77%) and agent contact information (48–55%).
Using Virtual Staging to Attract Millennial & Gen Z Buyers
Millennials and Gen Z now make up the largest share of homebuyers, and their expectations are reshaping how listings are marketed. They want spaces that feel modern, authentic, and flexible—homes that match their lifestyle and look great online. For agents and marketers, that means virtual staging isn’t just an option—it’s the fastest way to create photos that stop the scroll on Instagram, TikTok, and listing sites.
Showcasing Smart & Sustainable Living
Younger buyers are looking for more than just square footage—they want homes that are efficient, tech-savvy, and move-in ready. According to NAR’s 2025 report:
- Green and energy efficiency matters to 20% of buyers aged 26–34 and 23% of buyers aged 35–44, compared to just 10–12% of buyers over 60.
- Smart home features are also more appealing to younger buyers, with 12–18% of Millennials (ages 26–44) citing them as a reason to purchase a new home, versus only 5–9% of older buyers.
- A major driver: 49–50% of Millennials buy new homes to avoid renovations—they want polished, move-in ready spaces that already feel modern.
- Just as important, today’s buyers value authenticity—spaces that feel natural and lived-in rather than overly polished or artificial. Overly staged rooms can feel fake; instead, subtle styling cues make a listing relatable and trustworthy.
The takeaway: Virtual staging can spotlight these priorities by visually adding eco-friendly touches (like natural materials, plants, or sustainable finishes) and smart tech cues (like digital thermostats or sleek charging stations). By staging Boomer-owned homes with these younger preferences in mind, agents can make listings feel future-ready—and more attractive to Millennial and Gen Z buyers.
Generational Dream Home Preferences
The following insights come from a recent survey conducted by 247 Blinds, which asked buyers across generations about the features of their dream homes.
Quick Summary:
- Millennials = social, aspirational, modern spaces.
- Boomers = practicality, comfort, light, and accessibility.
- Gen Z & Gen X = bookends of the trend—Gen Z values affordability and functionality, while Gen X leans toward family-friendly practicality.
Millennials: Social & Modern Living
Millennials (ages 27–45) are drawn to homes that blend modern layouts, multifunctional rooms, and spaces for entertaining.
- 42% prioritize number of bedrooms and 41% want outdoor space, underscoring the need for space and flexibility.
- They place less emphasis on traditional features—only 10% care about bay windows and 9% about conservatories. Instead, they prefer open layouts and informal living spaces.
- Lifestyle-driven staging resonates: Millennials want kitchen islands (29%), pools (18%), or games rooms (8%)—features that support socializing and “staying in as the new going out.”
- They’re also more tech-savvy, expecting homes to feel efficient, connected, and storage-friendly.
- Beyond home offices, buyers also respond to staged workout corners or creative nooks. Since COVID reshaped daily routines, more people expect to exercise, create, and unwind at home.
Virtual staging should highlight open floor plans, social kitchens, flexible guest/office rooms, and subtle tech cues to match Millennial aspirations.
Boomers: Comfort, Light & Accessibility
Boomers (ages 61–79) approach dream homes with a focus on comfort, relaxation, and ease of living.
- Their top priorities are outdoor space (57%), natural light (51%), and practical additions like garages (28%) and conservatories (21%).
- 32% rank master en-suites highly, far more than Millennials (9%), reflecting their focus on comfort and privacy.
- They’re less interested in novelties—swimming pools, bars, and saunas rank low—preferring instead spacious, sunlit rooms designed for leisure.
- Many Boomers dream of building from scratch or customizing homes, but when selling, their properties often need a style refresh to appeal to younger buyers.
Virtual staging can modernize Boomer homes, updating dated layouts and finishes to showcase the modern, multifunctional appeal Millennials are seeking.
Gen Z & Gen X: Contextual Trends
- Gen Z (18–26): Function over luxury. Their biggest priority is number of bedrooms (53%) and affordability, with little interest in luxury extras.
- Gen X (45–59): Practical family living. They favor outdoor space (53%), natural light (45%), and garages (28%), blending function with modest luxury.
Generational Décor & Design Styles to Stage For
Beyond functionality and lifestyle, each generation has distinct interior design aesthetics that can be highlighted through virtual staging. Incorporating these style cues helps listings feel authentic and tailored to buyers’ expectations:
Gen Z: Bold & Eclectic
Think vibrant, expressive spaces with funky textures, LED light strips, and playful motifs like mushrooms or retro patterns. They respond well to upcycled or sustainable décor and a maximalist “organized chaos” that reflects individuality. Virtual staging can play with bold wall art, colorful accent furniture, and layered décor elements that suggest affordability, fun, and personality.
Millennials: Minimalist & Modern
This group favors a clean look—grey and warm neutral palettes, natural wood accents, and subtle earthy touches like crystals or greenery. They’re drawn to uncluttered, tech-ready spaces, often inspired by Scandinavian or Japandi influences with sleek lines and airy layouts. Virtual staging that integrates foldable or multifunctional furniture, bamboo flooring textures, and smart-home details (like sleek thermostats or motorized blinds) will speak directly to their values of efficiency, style, and sustainability.
Gen X: Custom & Contemporary
Staging that emphasizes durability and luxury appeals here—showcase kitchens with high-end appliances, large entertainment setups, and spa-like bathrooms. Gen X also appreciates semi-open layouts that balance family togetherness with defined “zones” for work or relaxation. Mid-century modern pieces, muted palettes with metallic accents, and practical multi-purpose furniture (like sofa-beds or storage tables) can be layered in to reflect their preference for both functionality and sophistication.
Baby Boomers: Comfortable Luxury
Downsized but sophisticated, Boomers lean toward earth tones, muted neutrals, and uncluttered layouts. Marble accents, comfortable kitchen seating, and practical storage solutions resonate with their desire for both ease and elegance.
They also value traditional furnishings with personal history—handcrafted wood, framed family portraits, and defined-room layouts (a formal living room, a separate dining room, a private bedroom). Staging that incorporates recliner-style seating, subtle lighting cues, or safe, accessible design (like wide pathways or slip-resistant flooring visuals) will align with their priorities of comfort, nostalgia, and practicality.
The takeaway:
Virtual staging that layers in these décor preferences—whether Gen Z’s funky flair, Millennials’ Japandi minimalism, Gen X’s balanced functionality, or Boomers’ comfortable tradition—can transform listings into spaces that feel instantly relatable to targeted buyers.
Closing the Gap With Virtual Staging
Virtual staging is about showing buyers the potential of a space in a way that feels authentic, modern, and aligned with their lifestyle.
Millennials and Gen Z want homes that look good online, feel move-in ready, and support flexible living. Boomers, on the other hand, still prefer comfort, light, and practicality—features like outdoor space, natural light, and accessible layouts.
The challenge is that Boomers own much of the current inventory, while it’s the younger buyers who drive demand—and they shop with their eyes first.
As an agent, your edge comes from presenting every property in the best possible light—fast, affordable, and realistic. That’s exactly what virtual staging delivers. From scroll-stopping listing photos to social-ready visuals for Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest, it’s the bridge between today’s sellers and tomorrow’s buyers.
Ready to turn your listings into buyer magnets? Explore how VirtualStaging.com and VirtualStaging.ai can help you create stunning, affordable, and realistic staged images—faster than traditional staging.
