Home Décor and Furniture: Everything that the Youth Wants

As Dhaka urbanises at breakneck speed, its young generation keeps up by becoming increasingly self-sufficient; moving out of homes alone, or as couples, quietly redefining familial structure. As they settle into new homes, they look away from the sprawling homes of the yesteryears towards the sustainability, functionality and individuality of today.

The recent growth of the Bangladesh furniture industry has been phenomenal, valued at over Tk 25,000 crore (approximately USD 2.3 billion). The impressive figure is largely courtesy of the rising demand for modern, space-efficient furniture among the ever-growing urban population of the capital.

According to architect Sarawat Iqbal Tesha, the young, modern home seeker of today searches for affordable, flexible, and sustainable housing options, like co-living spaces or compact apartments near urban amenities. "They prefer multi-functional, compact, stylish, and eco-friendly furniture that allows for comfort in smaller living areas," she shares. "Minimalist designs that maximise space are also highly valued. But above all, the youth of today love to have their own identity and personal expression in their own spaces."

True enough, neighbourhoods such as Niketan, Bashundhara, Mirpur and parts of Banani continue to see a rise in the number of younger residents, looking for smaller, more functional apartment alternatives to the spatial, sprawling homes of the bygone era.

This segment of the market is — in one word — aware.

They are brutally conscious about the rising costs of land, and invests in more than one basket of eggs. A word with Pinak Pani Saha, designer at one of Bangladesh's leading design-driven furniture brand — told us that keeping the limited square feet they have at their disposal in mind, this young segment looks for furniture that is efficient and versatile, such as dining tables that can be tucked away, sofas that serve as beds and slim wardrobes that organise small apartments without making them look cluttered.

Wood has always been a popular choice when it comes to furniture bases, but the young buyers of today prefer to go for sleeker, more minimalistic designs over the chunkier pieces that were at the heart of home decor back in the day. Pieces that offer clean, stylish wooden pieces, are popular with this set of consumers for that very reason.

This generation of home owners may be budget conscious, but it is definitely not one to skimp on aesthetics. When compact spaces need décor as an avenue for self-expression, cushions, throws, rugs, and artwork all become tools to fuel emotional grounding. The spunky, gutsy, and design savvy youth of today loves contemporary designs with traditional accents, and does not mind experimenting — be it pastels or bright colour palettes, wood or terracotta.

Furniture designers now offer a number of lucrative bundles and pay packages, combining essential items for living, dining, or sleeping — all space-efficient and stylish. In order to cater to every wallet, they have come up with bundles as low as Tk 50,000, making it less burdensome to make an immediate purchase, and simplifying the process of setting up a first home.

As young home owners make their refreshing furniture preferences heard loud and clear, devouring the unique options that the modern marketplace has to offer them, the CEO of ISHO, Rayana Hossain, advises them to curate, rather than to follow, to pour their souls into creating spaces that feel personal and lived in.

"Start with pieces that tell your story — through colour, material, silhouette, or functionality," she advises. "Something that feels inherently yours, not just something you own."

Photo: Courtesy