Revamping the exterior of your home can significantly enhance its curb appeal. However, certain features can make a house appear outdated. Contractors and design experts point out that while some designs once seemed stylish, they may now clash with contemporary aesthetics.
Here, we explore 26 home exterior features that can date your home and suggest modern alternatives to refresh its look without compromising its character or charm.
1. Excessive Use of Brick Veneer
Brick veneer, popular in the ’80s and ’90s, now appears heavy and outdated. This once-trendy design can overwhelm a home’s exterior, detracting from its appeal. Consider replacing brick veneer with modern siding materials like fiber cement or stucco for a refreshed look. These materials offer a contemporary aesthetic and are more durable. Updating the siding can instantly modernize your house while maintaining its structural integrity.
2. Overly Decorative Shutters
Decorative shutters, once a staple in home design, can make your house seem stuck in the past. Ornamental shutters that serve no functional purpose add clutter rather than charm. Opt for minimal, sleek window treatments that enhance your windows’ natural beauty. Simplifying your shutter design can give your home’s facade a cleaner, more contemporary feel, aligning it with today’s minimalist trends.
3. Arched Windows
Arched windows, once considered a luxury feature, may now appear dated and out of place. These rounded designs can detract from a home’s sleekness. Switching to square or rectangular window styles can modernize your home’s appearance. This small adjustment improves both functionality and elegance by updating the appearance and enabling greater flexibility with window treatments.
4. Popcorn Ceilings on the Exterior
Popcorn ceilings, once a design standard, are now viewed as outdated and unattractive. Their textured appearance can make a home look older. Consider replacing them with smooth finishes for a cleaner, more contemporary look. In addition to improving the property’s appearance, this modification raises its worth because buyers frequently look for properties with contemporary features and lower upkeep requirements.
5. Dark, Heavy Wood Trim
Dark wood trim around windows and doors can create a heavy, old-fashioned appearance. This traditional style may overwhelm the facade. Opt for lighter wood or painted trim to rejuvenate your home’s exterior. These changes can make your house feel more spacious and inviting. Modern trim options offer a subtle yet impactful update, enhancing curb appeal and aligning with contemporary design trends.
6. Tuscan or Mediterranean Facades
Tuscan and Mediterranean facades, popular in the early 2000s, can seem ornate and out of place today. These elaborate designs often clash with modern architectural styles. Consider adopting cleaner, simpler lines to achieve a more contemporary look. Simplifying the facade can enhance your home’s character while ensuring it stands out for the right reasons, appealing to current design preferences.
7. Decorative Columns
Large, ornate columns were once symbols of grandeur but now may make a house seem dated. These decorative elements can overshadow your home’s architecture. Opt for simpler, straight lines and modern post designs to update the look. This change can create a more streamlined appearance, enhancing the overall aesthetic and ensuring your home feels both current and stylish.
8. Outdated Roofing Materials
Roofing materials like bold-colored asphalt shingles can easily date a house. These outdated colors and patterns detract from a home’s modern appeal. Consider upgrading to architectural shingles or metal roofing for a more contemporary look. These materials are not only stylish but also durable, providing long-term value and enhancing your home’s exterior aesthetic.
9. Too Many Competing Styles
Combining too many architectural styles, such as Victorian with Colonial, can confuse the design and make the house appear old-fashioned. A consistent style is key for a modern, cohesive look. Simplifying your home’s exterior elements can highlight its best features, creating a unified and appealing facade. This approach ensures your home stands out for its elegance, not its complexity.
10. Excessive Use of Siding with Faux Finishes
Faux finishes like stone or brick siding, if not realistic, can date a home. These materials often lack the authenticity of their real counterparts. Opt for real materials or newer, more realistic alternatives to enhance your home’s appearance.
11. Carriage-Style Garage Doors
Carriage-style garage doors, with their rustic charm, may now appear outdated. These doors can overpower the facade, making a home seem old-fashioned. Consider replacing them with sleek, modern garage door designs that complement the home’s architecture.
12. Overly Ornate Entry Doors
Ornate entry doors, once a mark of elegance, can now appear outdated. Their intricate designs may clash with simpler, modern facades. Consider opting for a simple, contemporary door design that complements the overall aesthetic. In addition to modernizing the entrance, this renovation improves functionality and security, giving guests a favorable first impression.
13. Textured Stucco Finishes
Textured stucco finishes, popular in past decades, can make a home look dated. Their rough appearance may not align with today’s sleek design standards. Opt for smooth, modern finishes to refresh your home’s exterior. This change can create a more refined and polished look, enhancing curb appeal and ensuring your property stands out in a positive light in the neighborhood.
14. Mixed Material Exteriors
Mixed material exteriors, while meant to add interest, can sometimes appear disjointed and dated. This approach may confuse the architectural intent. Streamlining your home’s exterior with a single, cohesive material can create a harmonious and modern look. Simplifying the material palette ensures a clean and elegant facade that aligns with contemporary design trends.
15. Outdated Exterior Paint Colors
Outdated exterior paint colors, such as pastels or overly bright hues, can make a house appear stuck in a different era. These colors often clash with modern palettes. Refresh your home’s exterior with current, neutral tones to achieve a timeless look. This simple update can dramatically enhance curb appeal, giving your home a fresh and inviting appearance that resonates with contemporary tastes.
16. Excessive Ornamentation
Excessive ornamentation on a house’s exterior can lead to a cluttered, outdated appearance. These decorative elements, once charming, now distract from the home’s true character. Streamlining the design by removing unnecessary details can create a cleaner look. This approach highlights the home’s architecture, ensuring it appears fresh and inviting while maintaining its unique style and charm.
17. Awnings with Loud Patterns
Awnings with loud patterns can date a home, drawing attention for the wrong reasons. These bold designs often clash with a home’s modern aesthetic. Consider replacing them with sleek, simple awning designs that enhance rather than overwhelm. This change can improve the overall appearance of your home’s exterior, ensuring it aligns with contemporary design trends and remains stylish and functional.
18. Unkempt Landscaping
Unkempt landscaping can make a house appear neglected and outdated. Overgrown plants and outdated garden designs detract from a property’s curb appeal. Refresh your home’s exterior with tidy, modern garden designs that complement the architecture.
19. Peeling or Faded Paint
Peeling or faded paint can make a house look neglected and outdated. This unattractive feature detracts from the overall curb appeal. Applying fresh paint in modern color schemes can revive your home’s exterior. This simple yet impactful update not only improves appearance but also protects the building’s structure, ensuring it remains in good condition for years to come.
20. Old-Fashioned Mailboxes
An old-fashioned mailbox can subtly indicate that a house is not up-to-date. These small details, often overlooked, impact the overall aesthetic. Replacing an outdated mailbox with a sleek, modern design can instantly refresh your home’s exterior. This renovation not only improves curb appeal but also shows that the owner is meticulous, which may impress guests and onlookers.
21. Chain-Link Fences
Chain-link fences, once a utilitarian choice, can make a property appear outdated. These fences lack the charm and elegance of modern alternatives. Consider replacing them with wood or metal fencing options that add style and sophistication.
22. Unattractive Walkways
The external appearance of your house might be diminished by unsightly walkways, such as cracked concrete pathways. The allure of contemporary materials is absent from these antiquated designs. To create a pleasant path, think about upgrading with stone or pavers. This modification makes the entrance more aesthetically beautiful and welcoming while also improving utility.
23. Obsolete Lighting Fixtures
A house may seem old if its lighting fixtures are outdated. Lighting affects both safety and aesthetics, making it an essential component of the entire design. The façade of your house can be improved by swapping out outdated lighting fixtures for chic, contemporary ones. This update ensures that your property is always well-lit and welcoming by adding utility in addition to improving curb appeal.
24. Rusting or Obsolete Metalwork
Gates and railings made of rusted or outdated metal may greatly age a house. When ignored, these features lessen the desirability of the home. Think about swapping them out with sleek, contemporary designs that improve the outside. By adding durability and guaranteeing a new appearance, this renovation makes sure your house gives off a powerful, fashionable outside impression.
25. Outdated House Numbers
Outdated house numbers can subtly age your property. These small details are often the first thing visitors notice. Consider updating them with modern, stylish designs that complement your home’s exterior. This simple change can enhance curb appeal, ensuring your house not only looks inviting but also reflects current design trends, making a positive impression from the start.
26. Aged or Damaged Driveways
Aged or damaged driveways can detract from your home’s exterior appeal. Cracks and wear make the property look neglected. Resurfacing the driveway with modern materials can create a smoother, more attractive entry. This update not only enhances curb appeal but also improves functionality, ensuring a welcoming and durable surface for both residents and guests.