Overly Beach Themed
While an undercurrent of beach inspired decor can be absolutely stunning, going overboard (no pun intended) can make a room feel very tacky. You don’t want people to walk into the room only to feel like they reached a beach themed bed and breakfast. Try to tone it down if you want to keep some beach inspired decor.
Overly Beach Themed
Patterned Sofas
Let’s face it: it’s really hard to style a patterned couch, which is why you should probably stick to neutral and solid colors. The main issue with patterned couches is the fact that they rarely match the rest of the room and they will almost certainly go out of style within a few years. It’s better to invest in a couch that will last long-term instead.
Patterned Sofas
Too Many Framed Photos
While adding photos in frames to your home is a nice touch that will add warm memories and decor to room, make sure you don’t overdo it. While having a decent amount of framed photos in the room is totally fine, if they become so overcrowded that they’re covering one another, it can make the room feel overwhelming and uninviting.
Too Many Framed Photos
Floral Prints Everywhere
While floral prints can be done nicely, it is also very easy to overdo it and make your home feel outdated. The fact of the matter is that floral patterns feel very old fashioned, and unless they’re styled in a purposeful antique way, you’ll end up with a house that just feels out of style.
Floral Prints Everywhere
An Unorganized Mess
While this isn’t really an intentional decor, a lot of people’s homes end up in such a state. There’s really no way around it, having a messy house is just unacceptable. If you find that you have too many possessions, maybe it’s time to clear out some clutter. That makes keeping things in order much easier. If you haven’t used it in the past year, then you should probably toss it out.
An Unorganized Mess
Outdated Gadgets
This one goes along with having too much clutter around the house. We know that a lot of people keep old and outdated gadgets for nostalgic purposes, but the truth is that if these devices don’t work, then there’s probably no point in keeping them. They will just sit and accumulate dust and take up space in your house.
Outdated Gadgets
Rug Covers
We’re not really sure why these became a trend in the first place, but when this went out of style these should have just disappeared into thin air. These rug-like toilet seat covers are like a hotbed for bacteria and on top of that they look terrible. Do yourself a favor and if you still own one of these, get rid of it immediately.
Rug Covers
Honey Oak Cabinets
These honey oak cabinets used to be at the height of style, so we understand if you still have them in your home. However, perhaps it’s time to consider redoing them. You don’t even necessarily need to get new cabinets altogether, but you can do a basic facelift for them. Otherwise, your kitchen will without a doubt remain looking very outdated.
Honey Oak Cabinets
Hanging Teacups
While this was a cute trend for a while, it’s just not very practical. Let’s face it, hanging up delicate ceramic teacups and mugs, while it looks cool, is pretty precarious. It is so easy to have one slip and smash into pieces. You’re much better off keeping them standing up on a solid shelf instead.
Hanging Teacups
Doilies On The Table
Doilies are perhaps the best way to date yourself when it comes to home decor. These are simply so grandma-chic that it’s pretty hard to include them in a modern home in any way possible. You should use more up to date decor items for your tables. For example, there are plenty of lovely runners that you can use, including lacy ones that evoke the same style of doilies, but with a more modern twist.
Doilies On The Table
Overly Ornate Living Room
While we might all want to think we can live like royalty, the fact remains that most of us are not, which means we usually don’t have an entire staff on hand to maintain an ornate living room, or any other room for that matter. You can use some ornate decor items to accent your home, but there’s no reason to make your living room look like a museum.
Overly Ornate Living Room
Vertical Blinds
While having blinds in your home is great to block out the sunlight, try to avoid these vertical blinds that move around like wind chimes. They are incredibly bulky and there are much better options out there, especially for blinds that take up way less space and are a lot daintier.
Vertical Blinds
La-Z-Boy Chairs
While La-Z-Boy chairs were in their prime, it seemed like no house was complete without one. While we do admit that these are pretty comfortable, they are also pretty unsightly. There’s no way around it, these chairs are just so bulky and they offer little when it comes to home decor. There are much better looking options that are just as comfortable.
La Z Boy Chairs
Overly Antique
While having some antique pieces around the home can be quite charming, make sure that you don’t overdo it when it comes to these older items. If you have too many antique pieces in your home, you might end up looking like you live in an antique shop by mistake.
Overly Antique
Plastic Covers
It’s pretty unclear (no pun intended) why this became a trend in the first place. While we understand that people wanted to keep their furniture clean, but there’s simply no way this could in any way ever be comfortable. Isn’t the whole point of furniture to be comfortable? If you still have plastic on your sofa, please remove it immediately.
Plastic Covers
Pickle Jars On Display
While it is very admirable that you do your own pickling, perhaps the endless jars of pickled good don’t have to be on display. While having some displayed is nice in a rustic way, having countless jars of pickles out can make your home feel like the pickles aisle of the grocery store.
Pickle Jars On Display
Old Fashioned Fixtures
Here’s another one with quite an easy fix. You can keep your home looking pretty outdated by keeping old fashioned fixtures. Luckily you can quickly upgrade these and get your home looking up to date in no time.
Old Fashioned Fixtures
Farmhouse Decor
While the farmhouse look has been quite trendy as of late, it’s still important to keep things in check. As with any other trend, if go overdo it, your house will end up looking more like a museum than a home. Keep the roosters to a one or two minimum, please.
Farmhouse Decor
Fake Plants
While fake plants might seem like a good idea, there’s no avoiding the fact that they almost always end up looking cheap and tacky. If you don’t have a green thumb, you can get some low maintenance plants that are really difficult to kill. If you still end up killing those, we’ll consider making an exception for you with the fake plants.
Fake Plants
Matchy Matchy Everything
While you might initially think that everything matching will make decorating your home easier, the truth is that everything will end up looking very tacky. You can keep everything in the same color scheme, but avoid making everything be the same exact color. Monochrome is the way to go.
Matchy Matchy Everything
Heavy Tassel Curtains
These heavy tassel curtains were once very stylish, since many people believed they looked very upscale. While that’s not necessarily untrue, nowadays they just look old fashioned and overbearing. Instead, you can opt for lighter fabrics without the overly ornate draping.
Heavy Tassel Curtains
Tassels Or Fringes On The Sofa
The tassel trend continues! While having tasseled and fringed sofas were once all the rage, they are no longer considered very stylish. Once again, it’s better to go for simple, understated styles when it comes to furniture. This way your sofas will survive through the years without needing to be replaced because they’re out of style.
Tassels Or Fringes On The Sofa
Popcorn Ceilings
This is one that is just inexcusable. We will literally never understand why these were ever considered okay. Forget about stylish, who said that popcorn ceilings were a good idea ever? It might sound harsh, but these ceilings are really that bad. If you can, remove them from your home right now.
Popcorn Ceilings
Wood Paneling
Wood paneling was all the rage in the 70’s, and this trend took off like wildfire (not literally though, because…you know, wood). However, this is probably one of the prime examples of a trend that did not age well. Not only do you end up feeling like you are in a cabin instead of a house, maintaining these is a hassle.
Wood Paneling
Ruffled Shower Curtains
Ruffled shower curtains almost always looking like they’re from another century. It is difficult to make these look modern no matter how hard you try. Even the most talented interior designers will struggle with this one. Just get a normal shower curtain, okay?
Ruffled Shower Curtains
Sleigh Bed
Sleigh beds were very popular in the early 2000’s, but their popularity has seriously declined since then. We’re not really sure who thought it would be a good idea to make everyone look like they’re sleeping in Santa’s sleigh, but it somehow worked. Unfortunately, this style already looks quite outdated.
Sleigh Bed
Shag Carpets
Ah, shag carpets. Another classic 1960’s and 70’s decor trend that should have remained in those decades. These just look so terrible, there’s no excusing them in the year 2021 and beyond. If you still have shag carpets, then it’s time to upgrade to a new style.
Shag Carpets
China Cabinets
Nothing says antiquated like a china cabinet. While these used to be quite popular, they look very old fashioned and there’s really no way to make it look more modern. Instead, you can opt to use a more modern style of using floating shelves to display your dish ware sets.
China Cabinets
Wall To Wall Carpets
Another style that should remain in the past is wall to wall carpets. It will take a historian to explain why people ever thought this was a good idea, but here we are again. Any home that still has this trend is in need of a serious makeover, like, yesterday.
Wall To Wall Carpets
Gold Framed Mirrors
Gold framed mirrors are a bit tricky. They can very easily look old and outdated, however, you can style them in a way that looks up to date and trendy. Just make sure the rest of your home is up to date as well.
Gold Framed Mirrors
Outdated Wallpaper
In previous decades, it was popular to include bold and loud prints on wallpaper. Nowadays, we tend to shy away from these, since they can quickly become outdated. You can choose to keep one wall as a statement wall with the wallpaper, but under no circumstances should you wallpaper all four walls of any room.
Outdated Wallpaper
Baby Pink And Blue
Baby pink and baby blue should be kept to the baby’s nursery and nowhere else in the home. There really is no reason why your house should look like it’s made out of cotton candy. You especially should not have both in one room at the same time.
Baby Pink And Blue
Too Many Patterns And Colors
Having some bold colors or patterns in the room can help elevate a room. However, you need to be careful so you don’t overwhelm the room with too much. These loud patterns can quickly make a room feel crowded and overwhelming if there’s nobody in them.
Too Many Patterns And Colors
Tile Countertops
Tile countertops are not a good idea because they are annoying to maintain, and besides, they don’t look good. We’re not sure why this was ever done and if anybody ever really liked this style, but it’s safe to say that it is not a good choice.
Tile Countertops
Frames Hung Too Low
When it comes to adding framed art and photos to your home, it’s a great way to keep things interesting and inject your style to the room. Just make sure when you’re hanging the framed work that you’re not hanging it too low, which will end up looking very awkward.
Frames Hung Too Low
Too Many Pillows
While throw pillows are an excellent way to add some creativity and style to the room, it can be tempting to add more and more pillows until you’ve crossed the line of too many pillows. Don’t drown out the rest of the room with too many pillows. Besides, it will be annoying to keep them all in place.
Too Many Pillows
Cat Clocks
While cat clocks were a cute quirky item, perhaps it is time to move on from them. Unless you’ve found a way to get the clock to match the rest of the decor of the room, maybe it is time (once again, no pun intended) to get a more sophisticated clock to add to your home.
Cat Clocks
Linoleum Floors
Linoleum floors were a great cheap flooring solution, but the one downside is that, sorry to say it, they look pretty terrible. These are also pretty outdated, so if you’ve still got them, it’s time for an upgrade.
Linoleum Floors
Floor To Ceiling Mirrors
For some reason, floor to ceiling mirrors were quite popular for a time. A lot of celebrities included them in their homes, and they seemed to be in high demand. Once again, we don’t really understand the reasoning behind this trend, but we’re glad that they’ve fallen out of favor.
Floor To Ceiling Mirrors
Textured Walls
There’s no other way to put it, but textured walls are just so ugly. There’s really no reason to ever have a textured wall in your home. Ever. So if you do, time to smooth things out and keep your house looking elegant and up to date for good with smooth walls.
Textured Walls
Terrazzo
Although terrazzo was popular between the 1930’s and the 90’s in the United States, this design choice absolutely screams “office building,” which is the last thing you want in your home. While it has become trendy again, avoid this at all costs because it will certainly become outdated very quickly.
Terrazzo
Tiffany Lamps
Tiffany lamps used to be all the rage, however, these are really old fashioned. The thing is, Tiffany lamps are usually associated with dark 80’s bars, which is not the aesthetic most people are going for in their homes.
Tiffany Lamps
Futons
The main issue with futons is that they really make the room look like a college dorm room. If you still have a futon, it’s time to upgrade to a more sophisticated couch like a loveseat.
Futons
Tufted Headboards
Tufted headboards date back for centuries, which is probably why they feel so dated. It’s because they literally are! They really look so old fashioned. Opt for a more minimal look, which will last for years.
Tufted Headboards
Wicker Furniture
Wicker furniture is totally acceptable on the porch, but for some reason, people started to use wicker furniture inside their homes. This should be avoided as it is certainly very dated.
Wicker Furniture
Avocado Green
During the 1970’s, the avocado green color was truly a craze. Following the Vietnam War, this calm color was a popular choice Unfortunately, it looks a bit drab and is quite outdated at this point.
Avocado Green
Plaid Everywhere
Here’s another classic 70’s look that should have been left behind in the past. For some reason, it was popular to have everything covered up in plaid, which was truly overwhelming.
Plaid Everywhere
Glass Blocks
These glass blocks became a popular way to add in some glass to the bathroom without having to sacrifice your privacy. Now, these just look old fashioned.
Glass Blocks
Ruffled Bedskirts
Nothing screams “old fashioned” more than ruffled bedskirts, which is twofold: bedskirts are already quite dated, and the ruffles only make matters worse. These are very turn of the century.
Ruffled Bedskirts
Faux Fruit
For some reason, people thought that piling up fake fruits in a bowl would be a good decor idea. We must say, these were not a good idea in the past, and they’re certainly still not a good idea now. Instead, opt for fresh fruit that you’ll end up eating.
Faux Fruit
Heavy Headboards
Not only do heavy headboards add unnecessary weight to the bed frame, they also look very old fashioned. You can get more minimalistic ones, or beds without a headboard at all.
Heavy Headboards
Window Valances
A sure-fire way to make your room look like it’s from decades ago is to have window valances. Luckily, you can easily modernize the room by replacing them with floor-length drapes instead.
Window Valances
Colorful Cabinets
We’re not sure why orange or pea green cabinets were so popular during the 1970’s, but they were really not the best idea and should be kept in the past. It’s always best to choose a timeless cabinet style in order to avoid having to replace them.
Colorful Cabinets
Silk Bedding
Silk bedding almost always looks very dated, as if it has been lifted right out of an old music video. You can keep your silk pillowcases, but opt for a different texture for your duvet cover.
Silk Bedding
Zebra Rugs
Before cowhide was all the rage, zebra rugs were the most popular during the 1970’s. People felt this made their homes look more exotic, but these days, these tend to look more out of date and cheesy instead.
Zebra Rugs
Curio Cabinets
These cabinets were used to display people’s fine china and other bits and bobs. Not only is it outdated to place all these types of items on display, so are the cabinets themselves.
Curio Cabinets
Matching Carpet & Wallpaper
No other design choice screams out 1970’s than having your carpet match the wallpaper, especially if everything in the room is all the same color. It truly should never be replicated, as this looks way too overwhelming.
Matching Carpet & Wallpaper
Huge Leather Sofas
Oversized leather furniture was huge in the 1970’s, but these ended up looking quite bulky instead of midcentury sleek. It’s also important to choose high quality leather if you do choose it, as nothing looks worse than cracked leather.
Huge Leather Sofas
Platform Beds
These were wildly popular in the 1970’s and then had a resurgence during the 1990’s. The major drawback of platform beds is the risk of smacking your shins on the bed frame on a regular basis.
Platform Beds
Wood Countertops
If you want to be transported right back to the 1970’s, then having wooden countertops along with brightly colored bold cabinets is the way to go.
Wood Countertops