Good home decor is subjective—and pinpointing “outdated” interior design isn’t as easy as pointing to an old piece of furniture or decor. For example, your mom’s old lamp from the 50s that you used to hate? Well, we call that mid-century modern now, and, in the right context, it could be the decor item that makes a room look cool and unique. Plus, with a rising interest in vintage furniture, “dated” pieces are in high demand—and they can help you add more charm and style to your home.
However, as Real Simple reports, there are certain design choices—like following trends too closely or furnishing your entire home with matching sets—that can make a home feel unintentionally dated.
Take Bedrooms, for example. While we can totally agree that themed bedrooms are without a doubt cute to boot, they don’t necessarily age well. “Overly themed or overly coordinated bedrooms can look outdated as design preferences change,” says Atlanta-based interior designer Jasmine Crockett, founder & CEO of JoyMeetsHome. Extravagantly themed decor, like nautical wallpaper and heavy use of floral patterns can quickly date a space, she says.
Another way people tend to overdo is by getting too “matchie matchie” with furniture sets. Matching furniture sets are an easy and efficient way to decorate any space, but their rigid uniformity could be holding your home back (in time, that is). “Matching furniture sets can give a room a predictable and outdated appearance,” says Crockett. Instead, mix up the shapes and textures of your furniture pieces so that you can avoid any excessive similarities.
Crockett suggests that people implement low-commitment elements of your fav themes to ensure that your space is both fun and fresh. For example, if you’re obsessed with “mermaidcore,” try opting for a couple accent pieces, like a pearlescent lamp or a aqua blue side table, rather than making over your entire space with ocean-themed decor.
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