12 Things That Make Your Home Look Dated—And How to Fix Them

Heavy fabrics, ties, fringed trim and roller shades belong in the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. Dirty blinds or cracked blinds also make a home look dated.

If privacy isn’t an issue, try letting your view take center stage. But, if you need some privacy or light diffusion, try some modern shades or hang some horizontal blinds. If you prefer curtains, make sure they are lightweight.

Whether it’s flowers, bunnies in baskets or busy patterns, nothing makes a home look dated quicker than wallpaper. And learn simple ways to remove wallpaper here.

There are some fun wall designs that can bring your home to the present day. So try bold patterns, stripes and faux finishes. Here are some Trendy Paint Patterns to Spice Up Walls.

Are your walls hunter green, olive, gold or mauve? These paint colors make your home look dated. It’s time for some new paint! Worried you’ll mess it up? Paint a Room Without Making a Mess.

Light wall colors today work to make your home look more spacious and clean. Try grays, tans and off-whites. Also, try these 10 Interior House Painting Tips and Painting Techniques for the Perfect Paint Job.

Shiny brass or gold light fixtures make your home look dated and are a sign it’s time to update your lighting. Learn tips on How to Hang a Ceiling Light Fixture.

When it comes to today’s light fixtures, the options are endless. Modern, industrial and classic looks come in everything from bronze to graphite and nearly every color of the rainbow. Learn How to Connect Old Wiring to a New Light Fixture.

If you’re still using an old thermostat to control your home’s heating and cooling system, it’s time for an upgrade. An analog thermostat makes a home look dated. And a smart thermostat even helps with energy savings.

Smart thermostats come in a variety styles and are simple to install. Bonus: Some can be controlled via Wi-Fi.

Even if you’ve installed new kitchen cabinets, old hardware such as hinges and pulls can make a home look dated.

Today’s style is all about matching all your cabinet pulls and knobs. So try pewter, chrome or nickel. And learn How to Install Cabinet Hardware.

Photo: Courtesy of Ikea

Whether it’s your living room, basement or office, remove all the old knickknacks and decorations you’ve had on display for decades. This clutter makes your home look dated, and it doesn’t have to. Learn Storage Tips for Cutting Clutter.

Fewer decorations will make your home look up-to-date. And add some plants to make it feel fresh. These Clutter-Busting Strategies for Every Room can help keep your home clutter-free.

It’s hard to make a home look modern when it still sports paneling on the walls. Wood panels and dark rooms make your home look dated. And you can remove them and Build a Wainscoted Wall.

To upgrade your walls, remove the panels, repair or replace the drywall and paint walls a neutral color such as gray or tan. You can also paint the paneling. Try these tips for Preparing Walls for Painting: Problem Walls.

Popcorn, cottage cheese or textured — whatever you want to call it — has been over and make a home look dated for a long time. Discover 11 Tips for Removing a Popcorn Ceiling Faster and Easier.

 

You can remove the popcorn ceiling, or you can cover it with a new layer of drywall. Then bring it up-to-date with a couple coats of paint.

 

Tile countertops may have been on-trend in the ’80s and ’90s, but there’s a reason people rarely have them today. Tile counters make a home look dated and are prone to cracking. Also, keeping the grout clean is a tough job.

Whether it’s marble, granite, quartz, wood, stainless steel, concrete or soapstone, today’s trendy options are endless. Buying Countertops: Plastic Laminates, Granite, and Solid Surfaces.

Carpeting in the bathroom definitely makes a home look dated. And let’s not even think about how difficult it is to keep bathroom carpet clean and free of mold.

There are several tile options for every style, whether you’re going for a modern or classic look. Learn 13 Tile Tips for a Better Bathroom.

Linoleum and vinyl may have been popular 20 years ago. But now it often looks cheap and can be difficult to keep it looking clean. When something looks cheap and dirty it definitely makes your home look dated and it’s certainly time for an update.

Whether it’s solid, engineered, bamboo or cork, there’s a wood flooring option that will work for your room and your family. Bonus: Wood has never gone out of style.