14 Things That Make Your Home Look Out-Dated

January 21, 2022 7:00 am Published by Terry Paranych Real Estate Group

Home trends come and go – sometimes so quickly that, before you know it, you may find yourself living in a bygone era. Of course, home décor and style are a personal choice (if you like it, who cares?), but if you’re planning on upcoming renovations or improving your home’s resale value, it may be time to tackle these 14 dated home design elements.

1. Popcorn Ceilings

Popcorn ceilings were all the rage between the 1950s and 80s due to their textured look and ease of application (deemed an easier alternative to painting). However, their popularity waned in the 1990s after asbestos was found as a primary ingredient in many popcorn ceiling mixtures.

Note: Popcorn ceilings can be notoriously hard to remove and, in some cases, hazardous to your health. Be sure to contact a professional.

2. Old Hardware

Nothing says old-fashioned like gold-coloured faucets, clunky, brass light fixtures and old cabinet and drawer pulls. New hardware and fixtures are a quick and easy way to update your home’s interior without breaking the bank. Consider: Sleek chrome, stainless steel or black metal accents instead.

3. Heavy Drapery

The days of heavy curtains, fluffy valances and structured cornices are long gone. Not only do they make a space feel smaller and darker, but they also require a significant amount of upkeep. Ditch your outdated drapes in favour of bright and simple window treatments consisting of floor-length, lightweight (and light-hued) materials.

4. Analog Thermostats

Smart home technology has become less of a luxury and more of a standard. So, if you’re still using an old-school analog thermostat to heat and cool your home, it’s time for an upgrade. A new, smart home thermostat will bring you into the 21st century and amount to some significant savings on your utility bills.

Check out: The 7 Must Have Homeowner Apps

5. Linoleum Flooring

Versatile and affordable, linoleum was a staple in most homes right up until the 1960s, when low-maintenance vinyl took centre stage. Though still used in some cases, linoleum often comes across as inexpensive and outmoded compared to today’s other manufactured flooring alternatives such as vinyl plank, engineered hardwood, laminate, and more.

6. Laminate Countertops

Like linoleum flooring, laminate countertops (particularly Formica) were standard throughout the 70s and 80s, thanks to their affordability and easy upkeep. Though laminate has come a long way over the years (and is still offered as an option in new home builds), many homeowners are leaving this man-made material behind in favour of natural stone, marble and even wood.

7. Clutter

When it comes to modern home décor, less is more. Simplify and contemporize your living space by de-cluttering your home, taking special care to remove any excess bric-a-brac from tables, shelves, countertops and surfaces. Unnecessary kitchen appliances, knick-knacks, electrical cords and paperwork are all common clutter culprits.

8. Carpet All Over

Though carpet is still preferred in specific rooms such as the bedroom or basement, wall-to-wall carpeting is a thing of the past. Instead, we recommend opting for alternative forms of flooring (such as the low-maintenance vinyl plank and laminate mentioned above) while using decorative area rugs to add both style and comfort.

9. Built-In Corner Bathtubs

Bulky corner jacuzzi tubs may have been in high demand during the 1990s and early 2000s, but their popularity has certainly waned over the last 20 years. Contemporary bathroom design has instead moved towards freestanding bathtubs of all sizes and shapes due to their versatility and aesthetic appeal.

10. White Appliances

As white appliances were introduced nearly 100 years ago, it’s easy to see how they can date your home in a hurry. The same applies to the colourful kitchen coordinates of the 1950s and 60s, which saw vibrant hues of avocado green, eggshell blue and harvest gold. Unless “vintage” comprises a large part of your personal style, stainless steel is the way to go.

11. Frosted Glass Anything

From light fixtures to shower doors, nothing was safe from the frosted glass fad of years past. Entire walls, composed of obscured glass blocs, also made a decade-long appearance during the 1980s (glass blocs made a brief resurgence in 2019, only to be retired, once again). When it comes to modern-day glass fixtures and features, transparent is best.

12. Wallpaper Borders

Yet another hot home décor trend of the 1990s was the wallpaper border. While we agree with adding a little something extra to make your walls pop, this partly-papered approach is beyond passé. That’s not to say wallpaper can’t still be stylish, however. Consider picking an interesting print to apply as a mural or feature wall instead.

13. Oak Overload

Oak was extremely popular during the 1980s and 90s when golden-toned cabinets and accents (built-in shelving, mantles and trim) were customary to every new home build. Often accompanied by chintzy brass and/or gold hardware, the overstated oak of yesteryear has now fizzled out in favour of white, grey, black or other neutral-toned wood cabinetry.

14. Boundless Beige

Admittedly, neutral tones are the way to go when it comes to making your space look larger and brighter or if you plan to sell your Edmonton home. But rather than basic beige tones, which once reigned supreme, neutral paint choices have gravitated towards warmer beiges (which include undertones of yellow or pink), taupes, greys and “greige” – a popular combination of both grey and beige.

Easy Tips to Keep Your Home From Looking Dated:

Keep It Neutral – Start with a neutral palette (i.e., anything you don’t want to replace as trends change) and work your way outward. Neutral selections may include items such as furniture, carpeting and flooring, cabinetry and paint colours.

Take Trends in Small Doses – When it comes to new home trends, baby steps are best. By taking it in small doses, you’ll be able to update your home’s décor without overinvesting in fleeting fads. For example, instead of wallpapering an entire room, consider creating a feature wall. Likewise, instead of replacing every cabinet in your home, try adding a fresh coat of paint and some new hardware.

Stick With the Classics – Subway tile, crown moulding, stainless steel appliances, and hardwood floors never go out of style. Integrating these home décor classics into your everyday design is a sure-fire way to keep things both timeless and relevant.

Incorporate Your Own Style – As mentioned above, home décor is a personal choice. By choosing elements that reflect your own tastes and preferences, your home will be on-trend to you – and that’s all that matters.

Embrace Change – Last but not least, it’s important to remember that design trends are just that – trends. For this reason, you’ll want to keep an open mind when it comes to changing things up. The trends you’ve adopted one week may be suddenly out of style the next.

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Tags: tips & tricks

Categorised in: Design & Decor

This post was written by Terry Paranych Real Estate Group