12 Home Features That Could Look Out Of Style
Home design trends change faster than we often realize, and features that were once considered stylish can quickly start to feel outdated. What looked modern a decade ago might now make your space feel stuck in the past.
While every home has its own character, this guide highlights common elements that may be aging your home and offers practical ideas to refresh your space though results can vary depending on your home’s layout, materials, and personal style.
1. Heavy, Dark Wood Paneling
Remember those dark, gloomy dens from the 1970s? Heavy wood paneling once signaled luxury and warmth, but now makes rooms feel small, dark, and trapped in another era.
If your walls are covered in this dated material, you have options. Paint is your friend here – a coat of white or light-colored paint can transform the space while preserving the interesting texture. For a more modern look, consider removing every other panel and replacing with drywall for a contemporary striped effect.
Many homeowners are now opting to remove paneling completely, but if yours is real wood rather than veneer, consider repurposing it elsewhere as an accent wall or furniture project.
2. Wall-to-Wall Carpeting in Every Room
There was a time when covering every square inch of floor with carpet was considered the height of comfort and luxury. Those days are long gone! Wall-to-wall carpeting throughout an entire home now signals outdated design thinking.
Modern homes typically reserve carpeting for bedrooms and perhaps family rooms, while living areas, kitchens, and hallways feature hardwood, laminate, or tile. This mixed-material approach creates visual interest and better defines different zones in open-concept homes.
If you’re dealing with wall-to-wall everywhere, start by replacing carpet in your main living areas with hard surfaces. You’ll find the space feels cleaner, more spacious, and much more current.
3. Shag Rugs or Outdated Area Rugs
Those ultra-plush shag carpets that were groovy in the 1970s now look more shabby than chic. Similarly, area rugs with dated patterns like country blue florals, mauve southwestern motifs, or busy Victorian designs instantly age your space.
Area rugs should complement your décor, not fight with it or scream about which decade your home is stuck in. Today’s trending rugs feature subtle patterns, natural materials, and colors that blend harmoniously with the rest of the room.
When selecting a new rug, look for timeless designs with subtle patterns or textures. Neutral colors with minimal patterns tend to stay in style longer, while still adding warmth and definition to your space.
4. Brass or Gold-Toned Fixtures
The shiny, lacquered brass fixtures of the 1980s and 1990s scream “outdated” in today’s homes. Those gleaming doorknobs, light fixtures, and cabinet hardware with their yellowish shine have fallen firmly out of fashion.
What’s interesting is that metallic finishes do cycle in popularity. Today’s trendy brass has a warmer, more muted appearance often described as “brushed” or “antique” brass. Modern homes also embrace mixed metals rather than matching everything.
Swapping out dated brass fixtures is one of the easiest and most cost-effective updates you can make. Consider matte black, brushed nickel, or oil-rubbed bronze for a contemporary look that won’t quickly go out of style.
5. Laminated Countertops from Past Decades
If your kitchen counters feature faux wood grain laminate or those speckled patterns popular in the 1980s, your kitchen is crying out for an update. Dated laminate countertops with visible seams and worn edges immediately age your kitchen.
Today’s homeowners prefer natural stone like granite or quartz, which offer durability and timeless appeal. Even modern laminates have dramatically improved, with realistic stone patterns and improved edge options that don’t scream “budget renovation.”
Replacing countertops can be a significant investment, but it transforms your kitchen instantly. If budget is a concern, consider starting with just an island update or investigate newer laminate options that mimic stone with surprising realism.
6. Built-in Entertainment Centers with Bulky Designs
Those massive built-in entertainment centers designed to house bulky tube TVs and extensive media collections now look hopelessly outdated. These wall-dominating units often feature elaborate crown molding, columns, and multiple compartments sized for VHS tapes and DVDs.
Modern entertainment setups are sleek and minimalist, with wall-mounted flat screens and streaming devices eliminating the need for extensive storage. Today’s built-ins, when used, feature clean lines and often float on the wall rather than extending to the floor.
If you’re stuck with a dated entertainment center, consider removing doors and some shelving to create a more open look. Paint it a color that blends with your walls, or remove it entirely for a clean slate that better suits today’s technology.
7. Floral or Heavily Patterned Wallpaper
Those small-print floral wallpapers or heavily patterned designs from previous decades can make your home look stuck in a time warp. Think country blue ducks, mauve roses, or busy damask patterns that were once the height of interior fashion.
Modern wallpaper trends favor bold, graphic patterns, subtle textures, or large-scale designs that create a focal point. Today’s papers are often used on a single accent wall rather than covering entire rooms, creating interest without overwhelming the space.
Removing old wallpaper can be a tedious job, but the transformation is worth it. If you’re not ready to part with wallpaper entirely, consider updating to a contemporary pattern on just one wall for a fresh, modern look.
8. Fussy Window Valances or Curtains
Heavy window treatments with swags, jabots, and multiple layers of fabric scream 1980s and 1990s design. Those gathered valances, balloon shades, and ornate draperies with tassels and fringe make rooms feel stuffy and dated.
Today’s window treatments embrace simplicity and function. Modern windows often feature clean-lined roman shades, simple panels hung from sleek rods, or minimalist blinds that disappear when not in use. The focus has shifted from elaborate window “outfits” to letting in natural light while maintaining privacy.
Updating window treatments is one of the most impactful changes you can make to modernize a room. Remove those heavy, fussy curtains and opt for simple panels or shades in neutral tones for an instant refresh.
9. Overly Themed Rooms
Those rooms decorated entirely around a specific theme like nautical, Tuscan, country farmhouse, or jungle often look dated and kitschy. When every element from the wallpaper to the throw pillows screams “beach” or “wine country,” the effect can feel overwhelming and stuck in a particular era.
Contemporary design favors subtlety, with themes suggested through a few carefully chosen accents rather than dominating every surface. A modern beach-inspired room might have a coastal color palette and one or two seashell accessories, not lighthouse wallpaper and rope-wrapped everything.
If you love a particular theme, try incorporating it through easily changeable elements like artwork or accessories. Keep larger elements like walls, flooring, and furniture relatively neutral to avoid dating your space.
10. Large, Clunky Ceiling Fans
Those oversized ceiling fans with ornate details, fake wood blades, and frosted glass light fixtures were once a staple in homes across America. Often featuring elaborate scrollwork, multiple light bulbs, and heavy, chunky proportions, these fans now look like relics from decades past.
Modern ceiling fans are sleek and minimalist, with clean lines and simple forms. Today’s designs often feature three blades instead of five, come in matte finishes, and incorporate LED lighting with streamlined fixtures.
Replacing an outdated ceiling fan is a relatively simple weekend project that can dramatically update a room. Look for fans with simple designs in finishes that complement your other fixtures for a cohesive, contemporary look.
11. Tiled Walls in Bathrooms with Dated Patterns
If your bathroom features 4×4 square tiles in colors like avocado green, harvest gold, or dusty rose, you’re living with a time capsule from decades past. These dated tile installations, often with contrasting colored borders or decorative inserts, immediately age your bathroom.
Today’s bathroom tile trends favor larger formats, subway layouts, or geometric patterns in neutral tones. White, gray, and black dominate modern bathroom designs, with interest coming from varying tile shapes and installation patterns rather than colorful tiles themselves.
While retiling is a bigger project, it dramatically transforms a bathroom. If a complete renovation isn’t in your budget, consider painting outdated tile with specialty tile paint or updating accessories, lighting, and hardware for a fresher look.
12. Decorative Room Dividers that Break Flow
Those ornate wooden screens, half walls with spindles, or built-in dividers with cubbyholes were once considered clever ways to define spaces. Popular in homes built from the 1960s through 1990s, these permanent or semi-permanent dividers now interrupt the open flow modern homeowners prefer.
Today’s homes embrace open concept living, with spaces defined by furniture arrangement, area rugs, or subtle changes in flooring rather than physical barriers. When separation is needed, contemporary solutions include sliding doors that disappear when not in use or glass partitions that maintain visual connection.
If your home features dated dividers, consider removing them entirely to create a more spacious feel. For load-bearing walls, consult a contractor about creating wider openings or using columns to maintain structural support while opening up the space.
