Old houses can be beautiful. Outdated houses, however, can make you feel like you’ve stepped into another time period. To keep your home from looking and feeling outdated, make sure you don’t have any of these things inside your abode.
10. White Appliances
Most of us probably still have white appliances in our kitchens. But, according to HGTV and Realtor.com, these appliances are making our homes look outdated. And, because of this, they can be a deal-breaker for potential homebuyers. So, what can you do? “Upgrading to stainless steel or black appliances can make a huge difference,” Will Johnson, a Realtor® and founder of the Sell and Stage Team in Hendersonville, TN, says, according to Realtor.com. Not only are they more streamlined, but they also add a touch of elegance to your kitchen.
9. Wood Paneling
Wood paneling was very popular throughout the ’60s and ’70s, so it goes without saying that this feature instantly makes your home feel very outdated. So, what can you do if you’ve got wood paneling in your home? Try painting it in a neutral or bright color, or bleach it. You could also dress it up with a luxe texture like marble. Or, you could try disguising it with a bookshelf. “Built-in bookcases help obscure paneling, while cute accessories turn them into a decorative backdrop,” House Beautiful magazine said on its website. Lastly, if your home has faux wood panels, just pull them off.
8. Laminate, Tile and Granite Countertops
If you ask most interior designers, they’ll tell you that laminate and tile countertops, which were popular in the ’70s, are no longer the “it” thing. But, what you may not know is that some people consider granite countertops to be outdated as well. “Busy granite instantly ages a space,” Southern Living magazine said on its website. “The dizzying pattern of the heavy slabs becomes an unwelcome focal point and usually overpowers the rest of the room.”
SOLUTION: Opt for marble or quartz countertops instead.
7. Popcorn Ceilings
You’re probably saying to yourself, “What the heck are popcorn ceilings? I’ve never seen anything like that before?” Sure you have. It’s those textured ceilings that look like cottage cheese. Ah, yes, now you know what we’re talking about. While this textured look was popular through the mid-20th century, today they “significantly date a home and look like a giant, messy project to potential buyers,” interior designer Emily Finch told Realtor.com.
By the way, you need to be very careful if you’re thinking about removing these ceilings. Some of them can contain asbestos, which can be potentially threatening to your health.
6. Heavy Window Treatments
There’s a reason why for some people the thought of bulky curtains and heavy valences conjures up images of dimly lit medieval castles. After all, heavy drapes were used over windows and even on walls at times back then to help keep warmth in. There was no glass covering the windows, only wooden shutters that let in drafts. So, you can see why they were so popular back then. But, unless you live in a very drafty house or castle, there’s no need for you to have heavy window treatments. Not only do they make your home look and feel outdated, they “can quickly overwhelm a space and make it feel claustrophobic,” Bob Vila says on his website. Plus, the upkeep is not easy. “The greater the surface area, the more dust chunky curtains will inevitably attract,” Vila said.
5. Wall-to-Wall Carpeting
Once upon a time wall-to-wall carpeting was a must-have in every home. But, nowadays people are turning their attention to hardwood floors. We’re not saying you can’t have any carpet in your home at all. Just don’t put it in every room. This especially goes for the bathroom. “The 1990s brought us so many fine trends, and carpet in [the] bathroom was one of them,” Justin M. Riordan, the founder of Spade and Archer Design Agency in Portland, OR, told Realtor.com. Today, it’s best to invest in a bathmat. As for the rest of your home, limit carpeting to the bedrooms, and use hardwood for the main floor of your home.
4. Linoleum Floors
Yes, linoleum floors were all the rage 15 years ago or so, but having them will totally make your home look old and outdated.
SOLUTIONS: Opt for a classic stone-look tile for your kitchen and penny rounds for your bathroom. Or, you could just go with hardwood. You could also opt for laminate flooring. It can be placed over existing linoleum floors, so you don’t have to worry about having to pull anything up. Whatever you choose just make sure you go with materials that are neutral and appealing to a wide range of people, interior designer Sacha Nizami told Realtor.com. That way you can ensure that your home remains as up-to-date as possible.
3. Gold Hardware and Fixtures
Everyone loves gold, right? That depends on where the gold is used. For example, having gold hardware and fixtures in your home can be a turnoff to potential homebuyers. “Gold can give a home an outdated, ’80s feel,” Johnson said, according to Realtor.com. Instead, replace it with something that has a contemporary appeal, like brushed nickel, for instance. Or, if you insist on using gold, go for the newer versions, which “are more muted in tone and feature rounded or geometrically inspired silhouettes instead of the clunky shapes of 20 years ago,” Vila said on his website.
2. Pine Furniture
There used to be a time when pine was the wood of choice for furniture. Today, however, it can make a home look old and outdated. This includes pine kitchen cabinetry, too. We’re not saying you can’t use pine at all, just don’t get crazy with it and have everything in pine. It’ll be too overwhelming if you do it that way. Mix it up a bit instead and use other attractive wood choices like walnut, acacia, and teak.
TIP: Hickory cabinetry can set your kitchen back a few years also.
1. Chevron Wallpaper
Take HGTV’s advice and rip this stuff off your walls immediately! Yes, Chevron wallpaper might have been very stylish back in 2011, but it’s just plain tacky today. In fact, get rid of everything in your home that has a chevron pattern — throws, pillowcases, or whatever it may be. And, while you’re at it, get rid of that 1990s wallpaper border you’ve got up. Use a bright accent wall, stylish wallpaper, or crown molding to make your walls a bit more interesting.
CONCLUSION
Have you recently made any upgrades to make your home look more contemporary? Tell us about it in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
