8 Household Items Baby Boomers Keep That Gen Z Would Never Purchase
Image Credit: aletia via 123RF Photos
For Baby Boomers, the items in their homes are often imbued with sentiment and a sense of tradition. For Gen Z, however, these items appear outdated, impractical, or unnecessary, as their approach to living spaces is more minimalist and tech-driven.
This stark taste contrast has led to a clear divide in the household items each generation gravitates toward. Here are eight items still found in Baby Boomer homes that Gen Z would never buy.
Wall Clocks
In the Baby Boomer era, wall clocks were not just functional; they were part of the home’s decor. A large, ornate clock hanging on the wall was often a focal point, and many families relied on them to manage their schedules.
For Gen Z, however, smartphones are always within arm’s reach, making analog clocks feel redundant. The convenience of digital timekeeping has made traditional wall clocks a thing of the past, serving no purpose beyond aesthetic nostalgia.
Cable Boxes and Satellite Dishes
For Baby Boomers, the cable box and satellite dish were once the gateway to entertainment. The process of watching television involved cable subscriptions, channel flipping, and troubleshooting connectivity issues. However, the advent of streaming services has completely transformed the way we consume media.
Gen Z, who have grown up with smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs, find the old-school cable setup cumbersome. With services like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ offering on-demand content with a simple click, the idea of a cable box seems like a relic of the past.
Doilies and Table Runners
Once a staple in many Baby Boomer homes, doilies and table runners were the finishing touches that adorned dining tables. These delicate pieces of cloth served both as decor and as protection for the table’s surface. For Gen Z, however, they appear outdated and unnecessary.
Today’s focus is on simplicity and functionality, and a clutter-free dining table is far more appealing. If a table needs decoration, it’s more likely to be a centerpiece like a vase or a modern runner.
Matching Furniture Sets
Baby Boomers often invest in matching furniture sets, treating them as prized possessions to maintain over time. These coordinated pieces, including identical nightstands, dressers, and armchairs, were once seen as a mark of financial stability and good taste. For Gen Z, however, mismatched furniture is not just acceptable; it’s desirable. Thrifted furniture offers a unique, eclectic vibe, allowing for creative expression without spending large sums on uniformity.
Framed Family Photos
Family photos have long been a way for Baby Boomers to showcase their lineage and preserve memories. Framed photos of children, parents, and grandparents are often prominently displayed around the home. However, Gen Z’s approach to memories is far more digital. Photos are stored on smartphones, in cloud albums, and on social media platforms.
Framed family portraits seem outdated when compared to the ease and accessibility of digital photo storage, with Gen Z opting for contemporary art or abstract prints instead.
Fresh Flowers and Potpourri
Baby Boomers are known for their love of fresh flowers and potpourri, bringing nature’s beauty indoors. A vase filled with vibrant blooms or a bowl of aromatic potpourri was once a go-to for elevating a room’s ambiance. Gen Z, however, tends to gravitate toward low-maintenance options such as scented candles and diffusers. Flowers are beautiful, but the short lifespan and maintenance involved don’t align with Gen Z’s need for practicality and ease.
Physical Calendars
The physical calendar is a fixture in many Baby Boomer homes, often hung on the wall and used to track appointments, birthdays, and special events. For many Boomers, there’s a sense of nostalgia in writing down important dates by hand, and these calendars also served as decoration. Gen Z, however, relies on digital calendars on their smartphones. The ability to sync schedules across devices makes paper calendars feel outdated and unnecessary in today’s connected world.
Old Recipe Books
Recipe books were once a staple in every Baby Boomer kitchen. These treasured books, often passed down through generations, contained handwritten notes and personal recipes for family favorites. For Gen Z, however, cooking is a much more digital endeavor. Social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube offer endless cooking tutorials, and food blogs provide a wealth of recipe inspiration. Gen Z may find themselves looking up recipes on their phones rather than flipping through a dusty old cookbook.
