Good home decor is subjective—and pinpointing “outdated” interior design isn’t as easy as pointing to an old piece of furniture or decor.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 magazine reports, there are certain design choices—like using the wrong kind of wood—that can make a home feel unintentionally dated.
Wait. There’s a wrong kind of wood? The short answer is, kind of. Though the 20th century favored a bevy of wood-centered interior design trends, this fad doesn’t feel quite modern enough for your home today. “1980’s oak and country pine pieces came in everything,” Paulson says. “Think dining room tables, hutches, hall trees, secretary desks, cabinets, bookcases, dressers etc. When you have these pieces repeated throughout your home or other matchy-matchy furniture, like all dark espresso furnishings for example, it screams yesteryears.”
An outdated type of wood grain in flooring can also unintentionally date your home. Flooring is an incredibly important aspect of any room—and not just because you need it to walk around. Because flooring reflects or absorbs light, which means it often dictates how bright or moody a room feels, choosing the right option can make or break a space. According to Paulson, it’s best to ditch yellow-gold hardwood floors, carpet throughout the home (use it sparingly in certain rooms or go for large area rugs), and linoleum and vinyl flooring. Instead, go for lighter, brighter wood and ceramic tiling to keep your home up-to-date.
—
Photo Credit: Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock.com