Staging for Gen Z: A Realistic Look at Attracting Today's Renters

Staging for Gen Z in rentals is a recipe for long-term success. This strategy holds true even in high-demand markets like Miami, where tenants can be less selective about vacant units due to competition and scarce housing supply. Use these six tips to make your vacant rentals as appealing to Gen Zers as possible.

1. Incorporate Smart Devices

Gen Zers are digital natives, and many expect modern technology embedded into their space. Investing in smart devices is low-hanging fruit. These electronic gadgets help younger tenants automate daily tasks and remotely control aspects of their homes.

Focus on smart devices that Gen Z renters will most likely not bring when they move in. Prioritize smart locks, doorbells and surveillance cameras for security, and smart plugs, lights and thermostats for energy efficiency.

2. Use Sustainable Decor

Gen Z is the most passionate generation about environmental conservation. Younger tenants are conscious of what they consume, make life decisions based on their values and are vocal about their advocacies. Embracing sustainability is an effective way to appease their frequent climate anxiety and earn rosy reviews.

Go with natural materials like bamboo, rattan, cork and ethically sourced wood, and organic textiles like chemical-free linen and cotton. Furnishings and decorations made with recycled content also fit the bill. Dried flowers and preserved moss add life to the space without harming the environment.

3. Value Authenticity

Members of this generation appreciate originality and genuineness. Growing up in the era of social media has made them skeptical of polished advertising, sensitive to misinformation and disinformation, and excellent at spotting insincerity.

When staging for Gen Z, lean into their desire for authenticity by choosing handcrafted items over mass-produced ones. You don’t have to buy expensive artisanal artworks. Thrift stores are full of rare, affordable home-decor gems that lend more character to condo rentals.

4. Decorate With Retro and Vintage Items

Decorative items screaming of the past are a source of comfort for Gen Z, which perceives the world as volatile and uncertain. Younger people yearn for a simpler world and a time with slower technological changes and less uncertainty.

Upgrade to retro home appliances to evoke nostalgia without sacrificing performance and convenience. Vintage items make desirable accents and focal points, and knowing the stories behind them is a huge plus.

5. Leave Room for Personalization

Gen Z loves self-expression. Many younger adults enjoy indoor hobbies like gaming, meditation and baking, so an empty, nondescript room or corner where they can pursue personal interests is a big draw.

Give Gen Zers the space they need to enjoy what they love. For example, a fitness enthusiast who wants a home gym needs an area with enough space to work out safely and get proper ventilation. On the other hand, a crocheter requires ample room to keep supplies and crafts in tamper-safe storage boxes.

6. Outfit With Multipurpose Furniture

Multifunctional pieces support the dynamic lifestyles of Gen Zers and add more flexibility to smaller rentals. Select pieces with hidden storage compartments, like beds with built-in drawers. Convertible futons and recliners are useful for sitting and sleeping, while drop-leaf tables that can fold onto the wall or have foldable tops to save space.

Nail Staging for Gen Z With These Ideas

Successfully staging rental units for Gen Z involves understanding what makes this generation tick. This generation be as complex as its older counterparts, but these tips can definitely make your listings more appealing.

Evelyn Long is a writer that specializes in housing market trends. She is also the editor-in-chief of Renovated Magazine, where she writes essential resources for renters and homeowners. She has contributed to several other publications like the National Association of Realtors and Realty Executives.