Filling your house with things that you love and that make you happy is always the perfect way to turn it into a home but sometimes, we tend to focus more on trendy interior design details than personal touches.
The end result is a home which ends up looking stuck in time full of dated features that no one has thought about twice and we have found the worst 20 offenders. If you have these elements in your home, it’s about time to think about a much-needed update.
Tiled Countertops
Take a walk around any home in the 70s and you will find an abundance of these countertops and that too in every colour imaginable. And of course, since it is the 70s the colours palette is one which is jarring at best.
While having tiled counters in bathrooms and kitchens seem like a sensible choice, this is one element which ends up transferring even the most modern homes into the bygone era. A classic alternative would be to use an engineered stone or even wood.
Shag Carpet
Another 60s/70s staple which has been the bud of many jokes is the Shag carpet. Once considered the height of modern design, this unhygienic addition is one which all homeowners should run away from.
While comfortable, Shag tends to hold on to dirt and debris. And will require you to spend an ungodly amount of time vacuuming. Instead, rip out the carpet and replace it with hardwood floors to seamlessly update your home.
Wood Panels
Unless you are living in a cabin in the woods, head to toe panelling covering your room is never acceptable. Not only is it an outdated feature, but the excessive wood tones also tend to darken even the brightest of rooms.
While we would recommend that you spend a day or two and remove the panelling altogether, a quick way to disguise it is by painting it. You might need a coat or two but the end result will be well worth it.
Linoleum Floors
Ah! Introduced as a staple for the modern home, these durable floors were everywhere and while they were practical, the interior design choice definitely didn’t age well. Nowadays, all anyone will see are your linoleum floors, despite how updated the rest of your home might be.
For anyone living with linoleum floors who is ready for a change, we suggest that you replace the flooring with matching hardwood throughout your home to create a cohesive and contemporary look.
Granite Floors
Yes yes, we know that we mentioned how one should remove your tile counters and replace them with granite but let’s do the opposite for your floors! Granite floors were all the range once.
And while they are very expensive, they are definitely not worth it. Granite floors are notoriously hard to maintain and show wear and tear easily. It’s well worth your time and money to update them to tile, for a practical and cleaner option.
Tiffany Lamps
Who remembers the craze for Tiffany lamps? We understand the appeal of the lamps since there is a lot of work and craftsmanship that goes into a Tiffany lamp but the only reason you should still have one in your home is if you have an original piece.
Any Tiffany Lamps sourced from your big box stores which were made with poor materials just to emulate the popular design aren’t really adding anything to your home except proving to everyone how your home is still stuck in the past.
Millennial Pink
While most of the trends on our list are decades old and it’s no surprise that they date a home, this one is rather new. Just a couple of years ago, Millennial Pink was all the range. From home appliances to decor. People painted their entire homes with the shade.
And if you are one of them, it is time to change it. While Millennial Pink is beautiful, when used excessively the softness of the shade gets lost. It is best to use the colour in small amounts and stick to a neutral base.
Wood Signs
There was a time when you couldn’t walk into a home without being met with a few wooden signs scattered around and while once, the decorations felt like an easy way to showcase your values nowadays it is just a dated addition to any home.
Especially, the more basic signs which read “Home” and ” Family”. It’s time to put these in storage but if you love a good wooden sign, buy seasonal ones which will help add some joy to your home without making it feel like it is stuck in time.
Futons
This Japanese invention which became popular in the U.S in the 70s is practical and space-saving, so we understand why you might still be attached to yours. But if you are over 18, it is about time to sell your Futon and get “grown-up” furniture.
Futons aren’t only untrendy but anyone who visits your home and sees it probably assumes that you are still living in the past and aren’t ready to be an adult yet. So, show them that you buy buying a “normal” couch like the rest of us.
Big Box Furniture
We aren’t going to minimize the ease of big box furniture stores and how one can find anything and everything in one. Plus, they are very budget-friendly. But despite all these pros, these massive store’s furniture has one major con.
They aren’t unique. The standard, clean and basic styles that most of these stores carry don’t allow you to express your personality. You can smoothly find cheaper options at vintage or second-hand stores, which have the same benefits while still letting you show off your unique taste.
Nautical Patterns
Bringing nautical elements into a home close to the ocean makes sense and even is expected but the same can’t be said about your standard suburban home. A home should be full of photographs and personal touches, not anchors and seashells!
And if you feel like your home must have a nautical moment or two, carefully add them with balance in mind. For example, if you are adding a beach painting skip the anchor lamp next to it and vice versa.
Edison Bulbs
A favourite of hipsters across the world and a must-have staple for every cafe, Edison Bulbs have dominated all spaces. And sadly, it is this overly commercialised aspect which is the reason behind its demise.
While we do agree that Edison Bulbs still have all the original old world charm but since they are seen almost in every corner of every city, adding one into your home doesn’t really hit the same spot.
Excessive Upholstery
Many people know that a beautiful upholstery can anchor a room easily and effortlessly but rather than show restraint and balance, they tend to add excessive upholstery into the room, thinking “the more the merrier”.
The opposite happens. Keep a sharp eye on balance, especially when you are incorporating detailed prints with upholstery. Stick with a simple colour palette which helps complement the upholstery rather than fight it.
“Tuscany”
An Americanized version of original Tuscan interiors, this warm and earthy style was everywhere in its heyday but it is over. So, it is about time to put your oil bronzed fixtures into storage and adopt a more current approach to your home.
You can still enjoy the style if you like but we recommend you add authentic pieces from Tuscany or Italy, rather than mass-produced additions which usually came along with this dated trend.
Damask
The beautifully rich pattern is full of personality and is ideal for anyone who likes to make a statement. And of course, there was a time when Damask was everywhere, even in places where the pattern shouldn’t be.
The key to this classic pattern is again, balance. We know, we have said it so many times! But it is true with all elements in interior design. So, if you still love Damask, it’s time to get rid of the wallpaper and add the pattern through throw pillows!
Wallpaper Borders
A staple of the 70s, wallpaper borders especially in kid’s rooms were a fun way to add personality which kept both the kids and adults happy. But we are a long way from the 70s and are in the time of gender-neutrality.
No need to put pink everywhere in your girl’s bedrooms or cars and trucks in the boys. Give your children a neutral and safe space to decide what they want in their rooms. Plus, having minimal walls with no wallpaper borders allows the room to grow easily with the child.
Window Valances
There is a time and place for window valances and the suburban home isn’t one unless you have large windows with high ceilings. Window Valances usually tend to close a room and of course, they are an 80s trend that instantly ages your home.
Remove that valance and instead start your curtain from the ceiling, even if the window is situated lower. This is a modern style, which helps to make the room feel bigger while also giving you all the privacy you need.
Mason Jars
From food storage to wedding decor, Mason Jars were once thought to be a versatile addition to any space and we are so glad that it isn’t the case anymore. This 2000s decor piece even if we can call it that is done.
We recommend that any and all mason jars you use are only for food storage and not full of tea lights to provide “ambience”. Instead, add a few battery-operated candles and you will get the same look which won’t get dated in a few years.
Wicker Furniture
Made popular in the 60s, Wicker was everywhere and while we won’t diminish its practicality and price point, this trend is a forgotten one and only ends up ageing your home.
Don’t throw away all your wicker furniture though, move them outside onto your porch and backyard. That is the only space where wicker is accepted and originally meant to be, also the lightweight material is practically weatherproof.
Dusty Pastels
Every time the 80s is remembered, dusty pastels usually come to mind. So, if you want your home to seem contemporary, a good first step would be to get rid of this ancient colour palette.
You can still add pastels, just stick to one shade and bring lots of white and neutral colours into the mix to add balance. Also, a word to the wise, stay away from all the floral prints – no matter how beautiful you think they look.