We Brits can be a judgmental bunch – not least when it comes to what passes for outdated furnishings. Last month, a survey found that 62 percent of us judge the style of other people’s homes.
But what makes a house old-fashioned?
“The problem with following trends for your interior design style is that they come and go, causing some items to become outdated,” says Melissa Denham, interior design expert at Hammonds Fitted Furniture.
We spoke 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 unnaturally bright bursts of green, faux plants are a throwback to the synthetic spelled style. ‘They are easy to recognize, detract from the vitality of a space and make it feel staged and old-fashioned.’ says interior designer and creative director at Stone Superstore, Molly Woodward-Moor. Not to mention that fake plants don’t provide benefits that typical houseplants provide, such as cleaning indoor air and balancing humidity. Which of course are the worries du jour.
If you don’t have the time or green fingers for the real thing, then at least go for dried flowers with a modern twist. “Add pampas grass for a rustic or bohemian vibe to your space, or herbs that provide both greenery and a practical purpose in the kitchen,” says Molly. And never fake flowers.
Lace curtains
Once the epitome of elegant window dressing, today they just look airy and overly fussy. ‘Old-fashioned curtains and nets can really date your home, especially if they’ve seen better days and are looking a bit dirty and dingy,’ says Chloe Dacosta, design manager at Blinds 2go. ‘Investing in new window coverings can dramatically revolutionize your space and modernize your home – without sacrificing your personal style.’
Chloe Dacosta, design manager at Blinds 2go
Overly ornate curtains
Thick curtains in bright colors or bold designs can make a room feel busy and decidedly dated. Not least brocade curtains in jewel tones or floral motifs, or with ruffles and tassels, which can look old-fashioned and formal. ‘Elaborate drapery arrangements with multiple layers, swags or swags, which were popular in the 1980s and 1990s, can make a space look cluttered and fussy,’ says Molly Woodward-Moor. As if that weren’t bad enough, Molly adds, valances can also visually shorten the height of a window, making the room feel lower, dated and less open.
Bathroom suites with avocado
Colored bathroom suites recently topped a list of items most likely to date a house. And is it a miracle? Once considered the luxury bathroom experience, just a glimpse of this muddy green color scheme is enough to indicate that contemporary style has gone out with the bathwater. Today’s colored bathrooms should be moody, earthy tones or dazzling white.
Matchy-matchy sets
There’s nothing like over-coordination to make a room feel like it’s stuck in a time warp. So if your sofas, cushions and curtains all have the same pattern or fabric, it’s best to consult the calendar. Especially as today’s interiors place more emphasis on contrast, texture and layering, rather than strict matching schemes.
Deep pile carpet
The feeling of shredded fabric underfoot was once considered the height of opulence thanks to its luscious texture. Unfortunately, shag pile isn’t just the design equivalent of the Dark Ages – it’s like a pugnacious mutt that refuses to be cared for. It is a challenge to keep clean as these carpets easily trap dirt, dust and allergens. (All equally old-fashioned concerns.)
‘Over time, these carpets can also look worn or matte, adding to the dated feel,’ says Molly Woodward-Moor. Time to send in the shag pile in lieu of modern laminate or hardwood flooring. If you want carpet, go for low pile in neutral tones.
Carpeted bathrooms
It’s hard to believe that carpet in the bathroom was once considered an absolute must. Now they are old-fashioned, not least because of modern concerns about their practicality in terms of hygiene (carpets can absorb moisture, leading to mold, mildew and unpleasant odors). ‘Today’s trend is towards hard floors in bathrooms, such as porcelain or ceramic tiles, which are water-resistant and easy to clean,’ says Molly-Woodward Moor. Alternatively, you can opt for heated tiled floors.
Wall-to-wall carpet
While carpet was the preferred choice for any room in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, it now has a seriously dated look. Especially when you look at clashing patterns and designs as you move from room to room.
“I have yet to see a 1970s patterned carpet 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 for a fresh look.’
Frosted glass windows or doors
‘Frosted glass, with its milky texture, can make spaces feel old-fashioned, closed off 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 coverage with a simple switch.
Word art
Remember all those screaming, word-based works of art that screamed “Live, Laugh, Love” or even “Beware of the Dog”? That’s all they should be: a memory.
“Today they seem cliché and corny compared to a more sophisticated work of art that would elevate your walls or mantelpiece,” says Kate Conrad, lead designer at luxury homewares store Madison & Mayfair.
False fireplace
The whole point of a fireplace is that it is dynamic, intuitive and real. Illuminated orange tree trunks – once incredibly popular – are a relic of the past.
‘Gas fireplaces were popular from the 1950s when the government restricted the burning of coal, leading to deadly smog in that decade,’ says Ryan McDonough, interior design expert at MyJobQuote.co.uk. “As a result, many homes from that era have fake fireplaces for the gas fireplaces.” Only now this is 2024. Turn it off!
Pine furniture
There’s simply no need to fill every room with pine furniture as it will make your home feel like it’s stuck in a time warp. ‘A lot of pine wood is heavy, outdated and clumsy. You can now find wooden furniture with a sleek finish, in more contemporary shades and designs – and which can also perfectly balance traditional and modern preferences,” says Kate Conrad.
Textured ceilings
A quick glance upstairs will tell you whether 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 pop of color) can instantly modernize a room,” she adds.
The ‘great’ light
Illuminating a house by turning on the ‘big lights’ is something that belongs in the history books. A modern home will have a mix of light sources – perhaps some with brackets 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 wonderfully cozy and inviting atmosphere,’ says Chloe Barrow, interior design expert at Laura James. “Ideally, you’ll have one in each room so you can use them for the environment you’re trying to create, rather than just having the ‘big light’ on all the time.”
Short bedroom curtains
These bring back a touch of the former guest house. If you want to sleep in a room that doesn’t bring back memories of wet weekends in Blackpool, make sure your curtains fall to the floor.
Excessive use of gray
While gray was once the neutral color for creating a calm, minimalist space, it has since become overused and outdated. “Your color scheme is not only old-fashioned, it also makes your rooms feel cold and impersonal,” says Whinnie Williams, interior design expert at Dreams. Pass the brush.
Faux leather furniture
Not only does the smell of fake fabric cause the kind of nausea caused by poor driving, faux leather furniture is cold, squeaky and a relic of the past. If the style of the piece is interesting, such as a 1970s swivel armchair, consider reupholstering it to give it new life, says Nicola Paisey, founder of Maud Interiors. If not, skip to the tip.
Fitted furniture and kitchen units
Distressed furniture, bedroom suites and 80’s MDF kitchen cabinets with Shaker style doors covered in plastic coating will totally date your home. Harsh but true. Although not all is lost. ‘If the internal fittings are intact, consider having new doors made and adding modern hardware for a refreshed look,’ says Nicola Paisey.
Wood chip wallpaper
This was very popular in the 1980s thanks to the fact that it was cheap, covered a lot of sins on your walls and could be painted in any color. Now it seems the money ran out during the renovation of the house. If you want to update, the paper must come down. 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 restore this dated decorative element.’
Pebble exterior
You never get a second chance to make a first impression. So Pebbledash immediately screams time warp before your visitors have even gotten past the front door. This technique was used in the 1920s to cover poor quality brickwork, but the revival of this technique in the 1960s and 1970s, along with stone cladding, resulted in houses that look dated today.
Seasonal screenings
Nothing screams last year (and more) than an over-the-top seasonal display. Relying on traditional and repetitive decorations: how many pumpkins or snowflakes do you need? – hardly any squares with contemporary updates of festive themes. There’s nothing to celebrate here.
Bamboo placemats
There was a time when bamboo was considered natural and exotic, with its texture and tone emblematic of smart or solvent interior design. Today, these placemats are the canned fruit and cream of modern table setting. Harmless but not particularly tasty. However, the thrift store will thank you.
Sits
Bold floral patterns in a combination of muted pastels and deep reds, greens and yellows may have been popular decades ago, but seen through today’s modern, minimalist lens, they’re an eyesore. Mainly because of 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. Sorry.