It's hard to deny that there's a dominant Airbnb aesthetic, and that it shares many genetic traits (mid-century modern furniture) with the "hip" interior design

It's hard to deny that there's a dominant Airbnb aesthetic, and that it shares many genetic traits (mid-century modern furniture) with the "hip" interior design that seems to have taken over at least the urban Western world in the last 15-20 years. But first, even as this aesthetic is becoming passé, we should recognize its massive penetration into our commercial lives as a huge achievement (one certainly assisted by technology and a more mobile, wealthier society). The coffee shops, restaurants, and department stores that served most of our parents 30 years ago had terrible design even when they could be said to have design or style at all. Second, I don't think most design trends emerge as sudden and radical departures from the norm, especially when it comes to commercial endeavors that can't afford to be too risky or off-putting. But when we look back at the style of the mid-2010's from 15 or 20 years from now, I doubt we'll agree that it simply stagnated. It will have evolved into something noticeably distinct—humans are creatures of fashion—though the degree of cultural and regional diversity we had before modern telecommunications and travel is probably not coming back.