20 Outdated Décor Items That Make Your House Look Cheap
Have you ever walked into someone’s home and felt like you stepped into a time capsule? Some décor choices that were once trendy now make spaces look dated and inexpensive.
Refreshing your home doesn’t require a complete renovation – sometimes simply removing these outdated items can transform your space from tacky to tasteful.
1. Popcorn Ceilings
Remember those bumpy, textured ceilings popular in the 70s and 80s? They’re now the hallmark of an outdated home. Beyond looking cheap, they collect dust and are difficult to clean.
Modern homes feature smooth ceilings that create an elegant, spacious feel. If you’re stuck with this textured nightmare, consider scraping it off or installing ceiling panels for a fresh, contemporary look.
2. Wallpaper Borders
Those narrow strips of wallpaper running along the tops of walls were everywhere in the 90s. Floral patterns, country themes, or geometric designs – they all scream “budget renovation from decades ago.”
Today’s design aesthetic favors clean lines and uninterrupted wall spaces. If your rooms still sport these dated trims, grab a steamer and peel them away for an instant modernization of your space.
3. Glass Block Windows
Once considered the height of bathroom luxury, glass block windows now date your home faster than almost anything else. Their chunky appearance and distorted light pattern feel distinctly retro – and not in a good way.
Current designs favor clear, frameless glass for shower enclosures and slim-profile windows for exterior walls. Replacing glass blocks with modern alternatives instantly elevates your home’s appearance and increases natural light flow.
4. Vertical Blinds
Nothing says “cheap apartment” quite like those plastic vertical blinds that clack together and always have several slats missing or turned the wrong way. They collect dust in their tracks and yellow with age.
Swap them out for tailored curtains, roman shades, or modern horizontal blinds. Even inexpensive fabric panels look more intentional and upscale than these outdated window coverings that scream “I haven’t updated since 1992.”
5. Fake Fruit Displays
That dusty bowl of waxy apples and grapes hasn’t fooled anyone since the 80s. Artificial fruit displays collect dust and look increasingly unrealistic as they age and fade.
Fresh fruit makes a beautiful, natural centerpiece that changes with the seasons. If you’re not into perishables, try a simple arrangement of interesting stones, a low-maintenance plant, or an artistic bowl that stands alone without filler.
6. Bathroom Carpet
Carpet in bathrooms was somehow deemed acceptable in the 70s and 80s. Just think about what lives in those fibers after years near a toilet! Beyond the hygiene concerns, it’s impossible to keep clean and prone to mildew.
Replace it with ceramic tile, luxury vinyl, or even modern laminate designed for moisture-resistant applications. Your guests will no longer wonder what mysterious creatures might be living in your bathroom floor covering.
7. Tuscan Kitchen Overload
The early 2000s brought a wave of faux-Mediterranean kitchens with heavy wrought iron accessories, grape motifs, and walls painted in terracotta and mustard yellow. This theme quickly became overdone and now looks incredibly dated.
Today’s kitchens embrace cleaner lines and lighter colors. Swap the ornate details for simple hardware, replace dark granite with lighter countertops, and paint those yellow-orange walls a fresh white or soft gray for an instant update.
8. Wooden Toilet Seats
Oak toilet seats were once considered an upgrade from plastic, but they’ve fallen firmly into the outdated category. They’re impossible to thoroughly sanitize and often develop unsightly cracks and stains.
White plastic or resin seats offer a clean, fresh appearance that complements any bathroom style. For a small investment, this quick swap makes your bathroom instantly feel more current and hygienic.
9. Inspirational Word Art
Those giant “Live, Laugh, Love” signs and similar word art plastered across walls have become the punchline of home décor jokes. Mass-produced phrases that were once considered meaningful now read as generic and impersonal.
If you love text as décor, try vintage signs with specific meaning to your family, or a single framed quote that truly resonates with you. Quality over quantity applies perfectly to word art – less is definitely more.
10. Matching Furniture Sets
Walking into a bedroom with the identical headboard, dresser, nightstands, and mirror screams “showroom floor special.” These matchy-matchy sets lack personality and suggest you took the easy way out.
Designers now mix complementary pieces for a collected-over-time look. Try pairing different nightstands that share a color scheme, or refinishing just one piece from your set in an accent color for a more sophisticated, personalized space.
11. Overstuffed Recliner Sofas
Those bulky microfiber recliner sofas with cup holders and storage compartments might be comfortable, but they dominate rooms with their massive presence and screaming “man cave” aesthetic.
Modern comfort doesn’t require sacrificing style. Look for streamlined recliners or sofas with clean lines that still offer comfort without the bulk. Even on a budget, there are options that don’t overwhelm your living space with oversized cushions.
12. Silk Flower Arrangements
Those massive silk flower arrangements collecting dust on top of kitchen cabinets are instant time capsules from the 90s. The faded colors and dust-covered petals fool absolutely no one.
If you love florals, try a single stem in a simple vase that you can swap out seasonally. For low-maintenance greenery, quality artificial plants have come a long way – modern options in simple pots look much more realistic than their silk ancestors.
13. Tiffany-Style Lamps
Those colorful stained glass lamps had their moment in the 90s, but now they often look cluttered and clash with most contemporary décor schemes. Their busy patterns and heavy bases consume visual space.
Modern lighting favors cleaner lines and simpler shapes. A sleek table lamp with a drum shade or a minimalist floor lamp can transform a room from dated to contemporary while still providing the warm lighting you love.
14. Damask Print Overload
Heavy damask patterns on wallpaper, curtains, and upholstery were once considered elegant but now read as stuffy and outdated. When used throughout a room, these busy patterns create a visually overwhelming space.
If you love traditional patterns, try incorporating them in small doses through accent pillows or a single upholstered piece. Modern interpretations of damask with larger scale patterns or unexpected colors can also feel fresh rather than fusty.
15. Frosted Glass Cabinet Doors
Those frosted glass cabinet doors with swirly patterns were all the rage in early 2000s kitchens. Now they look as dated as the avocado appliances from the 70s they replaced.
Cabinet fronts with clean lines – whether solid wood, painted, or clear glass – offer a timeless appeal. If your budget doesn’t allow for replacement, consider removing the doors entirely for trendy open shelving, or replacing just the glass panels.
16. Bathroom Carpet
Those fuzzy toilet lid covers and matching bath mats were once considered a bathroom necessity. Now they’re recognized as dust traps that harbor bacteria and mildew in a high-moisture environment.
Opt for washable cotton bath mats that can be regularly laundered, and skip the toilet cover entirely. Your bathroom will instantly look more hygienic and updated without these fuzzy relics of bathroom décor past.
17. Fake Plants Coated in Dust
That artificial ficus tree in the corner hasn’t been dusted since the Clinton administration. Fake plants collect impressive amounts of dust and fade over time, becoming obvious indicators of neglected décor.
Real plants bring life and improved air quality to your home. If you lack a green thumb, try low-maintenance options like snake plants or pothos. Even quality silk plants need regular cleaning—a quick shower every few months keeps them looking fresh.
18. Hollywood Mirror Light Strips
Those bare-bulb vanity lights flanking bathroom mirrors scream builder-grade basic. Their harsh, unflattering light makes morning routines more depressing than they need to be.
Updating to sconces on either side of the mirror or a modern fixture above creates a more flattering light and elevates the entire bathroom. This small change makes a dramatic difference in both the appearance of your space and how you look in it.
19. Dated Doorbell Chimes
Those long, ornate doorbell chime boxes with their faux-wood paneling were standard in homes built from the 1960s through the 1990s. They stick out like sore thumbs in updated entryways.
Modern doorbells are sleek and unobtrusive, or even smart-enabled with video features. Replacing your dated chime box is an inexpensive update that visitors notice immediately when entering your home.
20. Chevron Print Everything
The zigzag chevron pattern exploded in popularity around 2010, appearing on everything from walls to rugs to throw pillows. Now it’s the unmistakable calling card of dated décor that was purchased during a specific trend cycle.
If you still love geometric patterns, try more timeless options like stripes, Greek key, or subtle herringbone. When trends are applied with restraint rather than covering every surface, they age much more gracefully.
