Whether you’re thinking about putting your house on the market or just want to make improvements, identifying features that may make your house appear outdated is an excellent first step. Modernizing elements that are out of style can be a good way to prioritize home projects and can also add appeal to your property. If you’ve lived in a house for a long time or are sentimentally attached, it may be a good idea to ask friends and family for their unbiased and honest opinions. These five features may be making your home look dated and tired:
1. Light fixtures
Start outside your home, and take an impartial look at the exterior lights at your entrances and garage. Are they in good condition? Are they in scale and proportion to their surroundings? Do they provide ample light? Are the fixtures similar to styles that you see in newer homes? If the answer to any of these questions is “no,” perhaps it’s time for a change. Do the same exercise inside your home, taking an inventory of ceiling fixtures and sconces, as well as kitchen and bathroom lighting. Florescent lighting and outdated overhead lights, in particular, can detract from a home’s good qualities. Changing out light fixtures is a relatively inexpensive, easy way to update a home while exercising your creativity and style.
2. Appliances
Older appliances that are visibly worn, dirty, or have outdated finishes and colors can detract from a home and possibly decrease its value. Colors such as harvest gold, turquoise, and avocado green can be dead giveaways that the home hasn’t been updated in decades. When replacing appliances, be sure to carefully measure cabinet openings, counter depths, wall spaces, ceilings, power sources, and door clearances for accurate fits.ENERGY STAR certified applianceshelp consumers save money on operating costs by reducing energy use without sacrificing performance.
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3. Wall and paint colors
While individual decorating tastes are varied and wide-ranging, some colors can make a house look stuck in the past. Paint is another relatively simple and affordable way to brighten a home, so if your walls are dark, dingy, or dated, make a change. Trendy wall and trim colors include shades of white, gray, cream, and beige, as well as muted blues and greens. When choosing paint colors, consider the amount of natural light each room receives as well as the lighting from lamps and overhead fixtures.
4. Flooring
Flooring is another aspect that can either age a home or make it stylish. Some flooring materials, like hardwood and marble, are timeless and can often be refinished instead of replaced. Consider replacing any dirty carpet, shag carpet, or tile flooring that is chipped, scratched, or in outdated colors. Old linoleum can be swapped for ceramic tile, hardwood, or today’s newer vinyl styles.
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5. Window treatments
Heavy, elaborate window treatments are often considered old-fashioned and fussy, and ornate shades and aluminum mini-blinds can look outmoded. Consider using lighter, sheer fabrics for draperies and simple rods, or choose woven wood shades, fabric roman shades, or interior shutters instead.
HSA Home Warrantycoverage is always a sensible home improvement that never goes out of style. With HSA, covered home system components and appliances are protected from many malfunctions caused by normal wear and tear for the duration of the contract, helping to protect your household budget from the costs of repairs or replacements. This type of protection can be especially beneficial if you have an older home and may be concerned about the age of covered home system components and appliances. Visitonlinehsa.comor call 800.367.1448 for more information.
FAQs
Chips, scuffs, and marks on the wall can quickly make your house look tired. Outdated paint colors from years ago — like a heavy beige or maroon — can instantly date your house. While certain wallpaper from years ago probably looked great at first, it might look tired and dated now.
What makes a house look outdated? ›
Chips, scuffs, and marks on the wall can quickly make your house look tired. Outdated paint colors from years ago — like a heavy beige or maroon — can instantly date your house. While certain wallpaper from years ago probably looked great at first, it might look tired and dated now.
What makes a house look old fashioned? ›
25 Old-Fashioned House Details Worth Keeping or Reimagining
- Dutch Doors. Dutch doors (also called stable, split or divided doors) originated in the Netherlands in the 17th century. ...
- Peg Rails. ...
- Telephone Niches. ...
- Leaded and Stained-Glass Windows. ...
- Transom Windows. ...
- Milk Doors. ...
- Apron-Front Sinks. ...
- Library Ladders.
Clutter and More Clutter
“Too many knickknacks clutter a room and make it feel dated. Choose just a few meaningful pieces that speak to your personality and style.” It's also fine to store items and rotate them in and out occasionally if you can't bear to part with them.
Is grey furniture going out of style? ›
Ultimately the consensus is that gray will never fully be out of style, but in 2024 there's a shift towards using warmer tones in our homes. 'For years grays have dominated the 'neutral' spaces in our homes, but warmer tones are making a comeback.
What makes a house old? ›
But with such a wide range of homes available – what defines an old house vs. a new house? In this article, we consider homes to be old when they are at least 50 years but no more than 100 years of age, while new homes have been constructed within the last few years.
What is a timeless look for a house? ›
Embrace natural materials in your finishes, fixtures and furniture such as timbers, stone, marble, cottons, linens and wool. It is balance that is the essence of timeless interior design. By embracing timeless designs in your home, you are transcending trends and fads that will become old very quickly.
How can I make my traditional house look modern? ›
Have fun with a new contemporary pendant or chandelier in your kitchen or dining room. Update your home with a splash of new metal colors such as polished chrome, brushed gold, or matte black. Mix textures of wood, metal and glass and play with scale to set the mood in a bedroom or entry hall.
How do you stage an outdated house? ›
Whole House Staging Strategies
- Deploy Depersonalization. If you want a bunch of prospective buyers to imagine themselves living happily ever after in your house, take yourself out of the place completely. ...
- Cut Clutter. ...
- Repair Problems. ...
- Paint in Neutral Hues. ...
- Strike a Balance. ...
- Know Your Buyers. ...
- Curb appeal:
- Kitchen:
Replace your flooring — Replace any shag carpet or grungy laminate flooring with something fresh and clean, like hardwood. Find new cabinets and countertops — Kitchens are the main entertaining spaces for many families. Consider putting cabinet and countertop upgrades at the top of your list.
Too Much Texture
However, some elements just aren't current enough for the here and now. According to Paulson, these include popcorn ceilings, heavily textured walls, dark wood paneling, and tiled countertops. “These elements can easily give a space an old-fashioned and outdated appearance,” says Crockett.
How often should you change your home decor? ›
Households Redecorate Every 3-5 Years on Average
While the average top-to-bottom redecorating session happens every three to five years on average, those in the 18-24 age bracket can open a tin of paint and roll out the wallpaper every few months.
What is the best date to list a house? ›
Nationally, the best time to sell a house is March if you're trying to sell quickly, while the best time to maximize profit is July. Zillow recommends listing your home for sale in March, but no later than Labor Day, based on historical market trends.
What home decor will never go out of style? ›
Natural Materials. According to Holt, natural materials will never go out of style. This is especially true when it comes to permanent fixtures. “Consider selecting hardwood flooring, natural stone countertops, ceramic tiles, and materials made of linen, cotton, or wool,” Holt says.
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