We’ve all fallen for a trendy home decor idea that didn’t age well – don’t worry, you’re in good company. Some decorating missteps are practically a rite of passage, showing up in living rooms, bedrooms, and entryways across the decades.
Designers have seen these common offenders time and time again, and they’re here to help you avoid repeating them.
No matter if we’re talking clunky furniture arrangements, overused color schemes, or decor that just doesn’t vibe anymore, it’s time for a stylish reset. Here are 10 outdated home decor mistakes almost everyone makes – plus 5 major no-no’s you’ll definitely want to skip.
1. Matching Furniture Sets
Remember when buying an entire bedroom set was the height of sophistication? Those days are long gone! Interior designers now cringe at rooms where everything perfectly matches.
Mixing different pieces creates a more collected, personal feel that tells your unique story. Try pairing that vintage dresser with a modern bed frame, or mix wood tones throughout your space.
2. Wall-to-Wall Carpeting
Walking into a home completely covered in wall-to-wall carpeting immediately screams last century. While cozy underfoot, this flooring choice collects dust, stains, and allergens.
Hardwood, luxury vinyl plank, or tile flooring with strategically placed area rugs offers a more modern approach. This combination provides warmth where you need it while being easier to clean and update as styles change.
3. Tuscan Kitchen Overload
Guilty of dark cherry cabinets, bronze fixtures, and faux-finished walls? You might be trapped in a Tuscan kitchen time warp from the early 2000s!
Today’s kitchens embrace lighter woods, clean lines, and minimal ornamentation. Consider painting those dark cabinets white or light gray, swapping ornate hardware for simple pulls, and replacing that textured backsplash with something sleek.
4. Mason Jar Everything
While Mason jars had their moment in the DIY spotlight, turning them into everything from soap dispensers to light fixtures has become the hallmark of dated farmhouse style.
If you love the rustic look, try incorporating actual antiques or quality reproductions instead. A vintage butter churn or authentic wood crate adds character without feeling like a Pinterest board from 2015.
5. Vertical Blinds
Almost nothing screams “apartment from 1985” quite like those plastic vertical blinds that clack together whenever someone walks by. They’re dust magnets and tend to break easily, leaving gaps that ruin the look.
Swap them for roller shades, roman blinds, or simple curtain panels. These options provide privacy while adding softness and style to your windows. Even inexpensive curtains from big box stores can dramatically update your space.
6. Popcorn Ceilings
Looking up should never remind guests of cottage cheese! Popcorn ceilings were popular decades ago for hiding imperfections, but now they’re just collecting dust and dating your home.
Having them professionally removed makes rooms feel instantly taller and more current. If removal isn’t in your budget, consider installing decorative ceiling tiles or wood planks to cover the bumpy texture while adding architectural interest.
7. TV Above the Fireplace
Mounting your flat screen above the fireplace might seem like a space-saving solution, but it’s actually a designer no-no. This position forces everyone to crane their necks uncomfortably while watching.
Your fireplace deserves to be its own focal point with appropriate artwork or a mirror above it. Place your TV at eye level when seated, either on a media console or mounted on a different wall altogether.
8. Heavy Window Treatments
Gone are the days of elaborate swags, valances, and heavy drapes with tasseled tiebacks. These fussy window treatments block natural light and collect dust while making rooms feel smaller and stuffier.
Embrace simpler window coverings that maximize light. Sheer panels, simple side curtains, or minimal blinds create a cleaner look that works in any style home. Your rooms will instantly feel more open and contemporary.
9. Wallpaper Borders
Those narrow strips of wallpaper running around the top of rooms were everywhere in the 80s and 90s. Featuring everything from country geese to Victorian florals, these borders now look hopelessly dated.
If you crave pattern, commit to full wallpaper on an accent wall or throughout the room. Today’s wallpapers come in stunning designs that can transform spaces. Alternatively, keep walls simple and add pattern through textiles and accessories.
10. Garage Door Panels
Those plain white raised-panel garage doors that dominated suburbia for decades instantly age your home’s exterior. As one of the largest visual elements on your house, an outdated garage door significantly impacts curb appeal.
Modern designs feature clean lines, interesting window arrangements, and carriage-house details. Even a simple paint job in a color that complements your home can dramatically update your exterior without a full replacement.
1. Over-Themed Rooms
From nautical bathrooms with rope everywhere to Tuscan kitchens that look like Italian restaurant sets, heavily themed rooms often feel forced and dated. When every single item reinforces a theme, it crosses into tacky territory.
Subtle is better! Incorporate elements you love more sparingly. A few carefully chosen coastal accessories will suggest the beach without drowning your space in anchors and seashells. Your home should feel collected, not decorated from a theme catalog.
2. Overstuffed Furniture
Those enormous, puffy sofas and chairs that dominated the 1990s make rooms feel crowded and heavy. Despite their comfort claims, they often swallow people whole and take up far too much visual space.
Today’s furniture features cleaner lines while still prioritizing comfort. Look for pieces with visible legs that allow light to flow underneath, creating an airier feel. Scale matters – choose furniture proportionate to your room size.
3. Bathroom Carpet
Whoever thought putting carpet in bathrooms was a good idea clearly never considered moisture, mildew, and hygiene! This 1970s trend thankfully disappeared from new homes, but many older bathrooms still suffer from this impractical choice.
Rip it out and replace with ceramic tile, luxury vinyl, or even peel-and-stick flooring if you’re on a budget. Your bathroom will look cleaner, feel fresher, and be much more sanitary.
4. Fake Fruit Displays
Those dusty plastic apples and grapes sitting in a bowl haven’t fooled anyone since the 1990s. Artificial fruit arrangements quickly become dust collectors that scream “outdated decor.”
Opt for fresh flowers, a beautiful houseplant, or an interesting sculptural object as your centerpiece instead. When you do want fruit on display, use the real thing – it’s both decorative and functional!
5. Word Art Everywhere
Nothing dates a home faster than walls plastered with phrases like “Live, Laugh, Love” or “Bless This Mess.” These mass-produced signs have saturated the market to the point of becoming visual noise.
Instead, invest in actual artwork that speaks to you. Whether it’s an original painting from a local artist or a beautiful photograph you’ve taken, meaningful pieces add genuine personality to your space without resorting to clichés.