9 Home Decor Trends That Make Your Space Look Dated & How to Fix Them

Hey everyone, today I want to talk about some older decor trends that can make your home look dated. I'll also share some quick and inexpensive ways to fix these issues that you can easily do yourself.

If you're thinking about listing your place for sale and need to prioritize updating certain things but don’t have the budget to do everything, these are some of the top contenders I'd suggest updating to hopefully get a better sale price.

1. Faux Wood Paneling

Faux paneling is one of the biggest giveaways that a home is still stuck in the '70s. Even though the '70s are making a big comeback in the design world, faux paneling is not one of those things.

It usually looks flat and has that giveaway faux panel sheen.

Tearing out paneling isn’t for everyone, so my recommendation is to just paint it.

If you like the shiplap look, paint over it exactly as it is.

If you want to mimic drywall, fill each gap between the panels with spackling.

The crucial thing with painting faux wood paneling is to use the right kind of paint, otherwise, it will peel off or scratch easily. Check out my video on how to paint laminate for more details.

2. Glass Blocks

Some designers say glass blocks are '80s and should stay there, while others argue they’re timeless. I agree they can be magnificent in the right style of home and setting.

However, if you have the more common '80s-'90s type, updating the dated surroundings can help.

Brightening and freshening up the surroundings can make glass blocks less offensive:

Depending on their location, you can disguise them with sheer curtains, paint a dark trim around them, or even use special glass paint if you love color.

3. Tiled Drop Ceilings

These ceilings, often found in basements, can give off old-school travel agency vibes.

They hide wiring, insulation, plumbing, and sometimes cover damaged ceilings.

Fixing them can be tricky and messy.

If removing the drop ceiling isn’t an option, try painting everything a uniform color, covering each panel with wallpaper, or faking the look of a coffered ceiling with grid covers.

Swapping out old panels for newer, more modern ones can also help.

4. Popcorn Ceilings

Popcorn ceilings were popular because they were inexpensive, covered up flaws, and reduced noise. Heavily popcorned ceilings can make your home look dated.

Removing them yourself can be messy and labor-intensive. If you're ready to tackle this job, ensure your place doesn’t have asbestos before starting.

Alternatively, you can cover the ceiling with planks, though you’ll lose an inch or two of ceiling height.

5. Wallpaper Borders

Even though wallpaper has made a comeback, wallpaper borders are a no-go.

They date your home. If removing the border is too difficult, you can paint over it or hide it with molding.

6. Gigantic Mirrored Surfaces

Large mirrored surfaces like mirrored closets, mirrored walls in living spaces, and huge sheet mirrors in bathrooms can look dated.

They create the illusion of more space and reflect more light but can also create visual chaos.

If you like your mirrored wall, keep it.

Otherwise, break it up with thin wood strips or pieces of molding to create a grid look.

Consider replacing mirrored closet doors with simple panel doors.

For large sheet mirrors, DIY a simple frame around the existing mirror.

7. Dated Track Lighting

Track lighting is popular, but old fixtures from the '90s or early 2000s can look dated.

If you're happy with the amount of light, consider swapping out old fixtures for more contemporary ones.

8. Over Elaborate Curtains

Curtains can date your home if they’re too fussy or over-elaborate.

Ask yourself if your room really needs curtains.

If so, opt for clean, streamlined ones. The ideal curtains have thick, even folds, a classic pinch pleat, and melt into the rest of the decor.

They should add coziness, with panels similar to the surrounding wall color and maybe a linen-like texture.

For hardware, avoid thick curtain rods with scrolls or giant glass finials.

9. Vertical Blinds

Typically seen in front of sliding glass doors but also used on regular windows, vertical blinds are dated and can be a buzzkill.

You can replace the vertical panels with curtains or fabric panels using the existing hardware, or frame the window with a curtain rod and correctly hung curtains for a better look.

Some things in the home age better and more slowly than others, but truthfully, anything you do in your home will seem outdated sooner or later. Just remember, if you always do what you love, you’ll always love your home regardless of trends.