Critics are having a field gray dunking on millennials yet again — this time for favoring “cold, dreary” color schemes in their homes.
TikTok users have dubbed the dark, monochromatic home decor trend “millennial gray” as a dig at the group of adults generally born between the early 1980s and the late 1990s.
The once-popular furnishing movement is now catching the ire of Gen Zers, who seem to overwhelmingly favor bright, colorful and maximalist decor.
One TikTok user complained that millennial gray has seeped so deeply into most homes and apartments that they were finding the color scheme in every rental unit they viewed.
“What the f–k? What the f–k? What the f–k is this world? What have they done to us?” user earthboundrituals posted in a video.
The neutral toned-trend gained traction over the past decade in what House Digest theorizes was a direct response to the maximalist, Tuscan-inspired home decor style that preceded it.
Millennial gray represented the opposite of the loud and overbearing 2000s trends and represented a cooler, sleeker style of a new generation, according to the outlet.
But home designer Loren Kreiss posted that the trend had never been fashionable and was on its way out.
In a video, he claimed the color can negatively impact moods and attitudes.
“Millenial Gray is finally being recognized as the cold, dreary it’s always been and it makes perfect sense why,” Kreiss said.
“Can you think of anything you love in nature that’s gray? The color gray conjures up images of prisons, pigeons, rain clouds and reptiles. Doesn’t sound very warm and inviting, does it?”
The designer encouraged millennials to ditch the color in favor of lighter, taupe shades that illicit feelings of comfort instead.
If TikTok is any indicator, plenty of millennials are heeding the advice.
User lyssielooloo said that switching the monotone scheme of her home for new colors was the “best decision” she had ever made.
She said she first swapped out her light gray couch for a green sectional, paving the way for the introduction of a non-matching red carpet, a random assortment of pillows and varying pillow shapes and textures.
Another TikTokker, DJ, said making the switch from gray to a swath of colors was a “solid choice”
“Why was I so afraid of color? Don’t be afraid to mix and match & just fully express yourself,” she wrote.
“RIP — here lies millennial gray & the insecurity to be yourself.”
Other millennials, however, admit they’ve given in to the trend, but don’t seem to show any signs of changing.
Nikki Ruble showed off her gray baby chair, backpack coffee mug, towels and more, writing that she didn’t even realize how deeply she had “fallen victim” to millennial gray until the hashtag started trending on TikTok.