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We Brits can be very critical, especially when it comes to what passes for dated decor. Last month, a survey revealed that 62 percent of us judge the style of other people’s homes.
But what makes a house out of fashion?
“The problem with following trends in interior style is that they come and go, leaving some elements outdated,” says Melissa Denham, interior design expert at Hammonds Fitted Furniture.
We’ve spoken to interior designers and stylists to reveal the 24 telltale signs you’re living in a design time warp.
Fake plants
With their leathery leaves and abnormally bright bursts of green, artificial plants are a throwback to the style of synthetic spelled. “They are easy to spot instantly, taking away from a space’s vitality and making it look staged and dated.” says Stone Superstore interior designer and creative director Molly Woodward-Moor. Not to mention, artificial plants do not offer the benefits that typical houseplants do, such as cleaning indoor air and balancing humidity. Which, of course, is a concern of the moment.
If you don’t have the time or green fingers to do it for real, at least opt for dried flowers that have a modern touch. “Add pampas grass to give a rustic or bohemian vibe to your space, or herbs that offer greenery as well as a practical purpose in the kitchen,” says Molly. And no fake flowers, ever.
lace curtains
Once the epitome of elegant window dressing, today they simply look frumpy and overly fussy. “Outdated curtains and netting can really date your home, especially if they’ve seen better days and are looking a little dirty and dingy,” says Chloe Dacosta, design manager at Blinds 2go. “Investing in new window designs can dramatically revolutionize your space and make your home contemporary, without compromising your personal style.”
Chloe Dacosta, Design Director at Blinds 2go
Overly decorated curtains
Thick curtains in bold colors or bold patterns can make a room look busy and decidedly dated. No less important are brocade curtains in jewel tones or with floral motifs, or with ruffles and tassels, which can appear old-fashioned and formal. “Elaborate configurations of curtains with multiple layers, valances or trim, which were popular in the 1980s and 1990s, can make a space look cluttered and cluttered,” says Molly Woodward-Moor. If that weren’t bad enough, Molly adds, valances can also visually shorten the height of a window, making the room appear lower, dated, and less open.
Avocado baths
Colorful bathrooms recently topped a survey of items most likely to date in a home. And is it any wonder? Once you consider the experience of a luxury bathroom, just one look at this muddy green color scheme is enough to indicate that contemporary style has been thrown in with the bathwater. Today’s colorful bathrooms should be earthy tones and dazzling white.
Matching sets
There’s nothing like over-coordination to make a room look like it’s trapped in a time warp. So if your sofas, cushions and curtains have the same print or fabric, you better check the calendar. Especially since today’s interiors put more emphasis on contrast, texture and layering, rather than strict matching schemes.
Long pile rugs
The feel of shredded fabric underfoot was once considered the height of opulence thanks to its lush texture. Unfortunately, long hair isn’t just the design equivalent of the Middle Ages: it’s like a truculent stray dog that refuses to be groomed. It is a challenge to keep clean as these rugs easily trap dirt, dust, and allergens. (All equally outdated concerns.)
“Over time, these rugs can also appear worn or dull, adding to the sense of datedness,” says Molly Woodward-Moor. It’s time to send the long pile instead of the modern laminate or a wooden floor. If you want a rug, choose a low-pile one in neutral tones.
carpeted bathrooms
It’s hard to believe that a rug in the bathroom was once considered an absolute necessity. They are now out of fashion, not least because of modern concerns about their practicality in terms of hygiene (carpets can absorb moisture, leading to mold and unpleasant odors). “Today, the trend is to use hard floors in bathrooms, such as porcelain or ceramic, which are waterproof and easy to clean,” says Molly-Woodward Moor. Alternatively, opt for heated tile floors.
Wall to wall carpet
While during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s carpet was the preferred choice for every room, it now has a very dated look. Especially when you consider conflicting patterns and designs as you move from room to room.
“I’ve yet to see a ’70s-themed rug worth keeping,” says Nicola Paisey, founder of Maud Interiors. “If the floorboards underneath are in good condition, I recommend filling them, sanding them, and then varnishing or painting them to give them a fresh look.”
Frosted glass windows or doors
“Frosted glass, with its milky texture, can make spaces look dated, closed and boring,” says interior design expert Melissa Denham.
Instead, opt for fluted glass. Or, for a high-tech touch, smart glass, where you can control the opacity with a simple switch.
word art
Remember all those word-based artworks that screamed “Live, Laugh, Love” or even “Beware the Dog”? That’s all they should be: a memory.
“Today they seem cliché and kitschy compared to a more sophisticated piece of art that would accent the walls or mantel,” says Kate Conrad, lead designer at luxury home goods retailer Madison & Mayfair.
fake fireplace
The goal of a fireplace is for it to be dynamic, visceral and real. Once incredibly popular, illuminated orange logs are a relic of the past.
“Gas fires were popular since the 1950s, when the government clamped down on coal burning, causing deadly smog in that decade,” says Ryan McDonough, interior design expert at MyJobQuote.co. uk. “That’s why many houses from that era have false chimneys to house the gas fire.” Except now it’s 2024. Turn it off!
pine furniture
There is simply no need to clutter every room with pine furniture as it will make your home feel like it is trapped in a time warp. ‘Many pines are heavy, old-fashioned and crude. “You can now find wooden furniture with an elegant finish, in more contemporary tones and designs, and that can also perfectly balance traditional and modern preferences,” says Kate Conrad.
Textured ceilings
A quick look up will tell you if your home is up to date. Popcorn or textured ceilings are a classic sign of an older home, says interiors expert Liv Conlon, who runs ThePropertyStagers.co.uk. “A smooth ceiling finish with a fresh coat of white paint (or even a touch of color) can instantly modernize a room,” he adds.
The ‘great’ light
Illuminating a house by turning on the “big light” is something that belongs in the history books. A modern home will have a mix of light sources, perhaps some with stands for general lighting and table lamps or under-cabinet lighting to illuminate specific areas.
“Ambient lighting, such as floor lamps or wall sconces, creates a pleasant and welcoming atmosphere,” says Chloe Barrow, interiors expert at Laura James. “Ideally, you want to have one of each in each room so you can use it in the environment you’re trying to create, rather than just having the ‘big light’ on all the time.”
short curtains for bedroom
These add a touch of the old boarding house. If you want to sleep in a room that doesn’t scream memories of wet weekends in Blackpool, make sure the curtains reach the floor.
Excessive use of gray
While gray was once the preferred neutral for creating a calm, minimalist space, it has since become outdated and overused. “Not only is your color scheme old-fashioned, but it also makes your rooms feel cold and impersonal,” says Dreams interiors expert Whinnie Williams. Pass the brush.
Leatherette furniture
Not only does the smell of synthetic fabric induce the kind of motion sickness that comes with bad driving, but synthetic leather furniture is cold, squeaky, and a relic of the past. If the style of the piece is interesting, such as a 1970s swivel chair, consider reupholstering it to give it new life, says Nicola Paisey, founder of Maud Interiors. If not, head to the tip.
Built-in furniture and kitchen furniture.
Dated built-ins, 1980s MDF bedrooms and kitchen units with Shaker-style doors covered in plastic cladding will completely age in your home. Harsh but true. Although not everything is lost. “If the internal fittings are intact, consider making new doors and adding modern hardware for an updated look,” says Nicola Paisey.
wood chip wallpaper
It was very popular in the 1980s because it was inexpensive, covered many wall sins, and could be painted any color. Now it seems the money ran out during the house renovations. If you want to update, the document must be downloaded. But Ryan McDonough warns: “It can be tricky to remove and often the wall behind it is in poor condition, so it may be more cost-effective to hire a professional to rectify this dated decorative feature.”
Pebble Exterior
You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Then, pebbledash immediately shouts that time warped before his visitors have even gotten past the front door. Used to cover poor-quality brick in the 1920s, the revival of this technique in the 1960s and 1970s, along with stone veneer, resulted in houses that look dated today.
seasonal exhibits
Nothing screams last year (and more) than an over-the-top seasonal display. Based on traditional and repetitive decorations: how many pumpkins or snowflakes do you need? – barely fits in with contemporary updates on holiday themes. There is nothing to celebrate here.
Bamboo Placemats
There was a time when bamboo was considered natural and exotic, its texture and tone the symbol of elegant or solvent interior design. Today, these placemats are the canned fruit and crème of the modern table. Harmless but not particularly appetizing. The charity shop will thank you, though.
chintz
Bold floral prints in a mix of muted pastels and rich reds, greens and yellows may have been popular decades ago, but through today’s modern, minimalist lens, they’re an eyesore. Especially due to chintz’s association with Victorian or cottage-style interiors, as well as ruffles and heavy curtains. Don’t say it with flowers.
welcome mat
Not welcome. I’m sorry.