Remember those home features we all thought were the height of luxury? Well, times change and so do our tastes in home design. What was once considered essential or stylish has now fallen out of favor with homebuyers.
Some outdated features can even decrease your home’s value when it’s time to sell. Let’s explore which once-popular home elements are now considered passé and how they affect property prices.
1. Formal Dining Rooms
Once the crown jewel of elegant homes, formal dining rooms are increasingly viewed as wasted space. Modern families prefer open-concept layouts where cooking and eating happen in the same area.
Homes with dedicated dining rooms typically cost $15,000-$25,000 more but may take longer to sell in today’s market. Many buyers immediately plan to knock down walls upon purchase.
2. Sunken Living Rooms
Popular in the 1960s and 70s, sunken living rooms created conversation pits that defined the space without walls. Unfortunately, that single step down has become a major safety concern.
Houses featuring this retro design element often sell for 5-8% less than comparable homes with level floors. Renovation costs to level these spaces typically start around $7,000, making them a deterrent for potential buyers.
3. Whirlpool Tubs
Remember when massive jetted tubs were the ultimate bathroom luxury? Fast forward to today, and they’re often seen as water-wasting dinosaurs that gather mold in unused jets.
Oversized whirlpool tubs typically reduce home values by $3,000-$5,000 compared to modern walk-in showers. Bathroom renovations often top buyers’ budgets when encountering these relics of ’90s excess.
4. Carpeted Floors
Wall-to-wall carpeting once signified luxury and comfort in every room. Now it’s seen as an allergen-trapping nightmare that hides years of spills and pet accidents.
Fully carpeted homes typically sell for $5,000-$10,000 less than comparable properties with hardwood or luxury vinyl. Buyers often calculate carpet removal costs ($2-$5 per square foot) before making offers, especially for dining areas and bathrooms.
5. Popcorn Ceilings
Spray-on ceiling texture was once the budget-friendly solution for hiding imperfections. Now it’s the first thing many homebuyers look up and grimace at during viewings.
Popcorn ceilings typically lower home sale prices by 3-5% compared to smooth ceilings. Removal costs average $1-$2 per square foot, rising if asbestos is present (common in homes built before 1980).
6. Outdoor Kitchens
Lavish outdoor kitchens with built-in grills, refrigerators, and countertops were once the backyard status symbol. In reality, they often sit unused while exposed to the elements.
Elaborate outdoor kitchens in unsuitable climates don’t boost home values despite $15,000-$50,000 installation costs. Buyers often view them as maintenance headaches, especially in areas with harsh winters.
7. Home Theaters
Dedicated home theaters with tiered seating and built-in equipment were the entertainment dream of the early 2000s. With streaming services and quality soundbars, specialized rooms feel like overkill.
Custom theater rooms recoup just 25-35% of their $20,000-$70,000 installation cost at resale. Buyers often plan to convert these single-purpose spaces into more practical areas like home offices or gyms.
8. Faux Fireplaces
Artificial fireplaces with no actual heating capability were once considered charming focal points. Now they’re viewed as dated decorative elements taking up valuable wall space.
Non-functional fireplace features don’t increase home values and may slow sales. Removal costs start around $500, with extra expenses for wall repairs and possible electrical work.
9. Built-In Desks
Kitchen desk nooks and built-in office stations were once considered thoughtful additions. Now they’re often awkwardly sized for modern technology and create dead zones in otherwise usable space.
Dated built-in desks typically reduce home sale prices by $1,000-$3,000. Removal and restoration costs average $800-$2,500, a minor but notable factor in buyers’ renovation budgets.
10. Wall-to-Wall Mirrors
Mirrored walls were the disco-era solution to make rooms appear larger and more glamorous. Today they’re immediately marked for removal by most homebuyers under 60.
Extensive mirror installations typically lower home sale prices by 1-3%. Removal costs average $3-$8 per square foot, plus additional expenses for wall repair and refinishing, creating immediate renovation costs for new owners.
11. Step-Up Bathtubs
Elevated bathtubs accessed by steps were the epitome of 1980s-90s luxury bathroom design. Today they’re viewed as inconvenient water-wasters with serious accessibility concerns.
Step-up tubs typically reduce home sale prices by $2,000-$5,000 compared to modern bathroom fixtures. Replacement costs start near $5,000, with plumbing and tile work often pushing renovations beyond $10,000.
12. Two-Story Foyers
Soaring entryways with chandeliers dangling from 20-foot ceilings were the hallmark of McMansions. Energy-conscious buyers now see them as heat-leaking nightmares with impossible-to-clean light fixtures.
Dramatic two-story foyers don’t increase home values but may extend time on the market. Energy costs rise by $200-$500 annually, a growing concern for eco-conscious buyers.
13. Indoor Columns
Decorative columns were once installed to create a sense of grandeur and classical elegance. Modern homebuyers see them as unnecessary obstructions in otherwise open floor plans.
Purely decorative columns don’t boost home values but can narrow the buyer pool. Removal costs average $500-$2,000 per column, with extra expenses if load-bearing.
14. Overly Themed Rooms
Remember Tuscan kitchens, beach-themed bathrooms, and princess bedrooms? Highly specialized room designs have fallen dramatically out of favor with today’s buyers.
Renovation costs to neutralize an aggressively themed room average $3,000-$7,000, factoring in new paint, fixtures, and potential cabinet refinishing.
15. Large Corner Bathtubs
Massive corner tubs with tiny jets once symbolized master bathroom luxury. Fast-forward to today, and they’re seen as space-hogging relics that waste water and gather dust.
Houses featuring corner bathtubs typically sell for $2,000-$4,000 less than those with modern bathroom layouts. Replacement costs start around $4,500, with extensive plumbing and tile work potentially pushing renovation expenses above $8,000.