5 Design Choices That Make Your House Look Dated, According to Designers
Certain things are timeless. A little black dress. A recipe for the perfect juicy roast chicken. Beautiful jewelry. On the flip side, there are plenty of trends that come and go. The same holds true in terms of home design. Unlike these 11 types of antiques that will only get more valuable over time, certain design features can make your home feel dated—and not in a chic, antique-inspired sort of way.
“The line between tastefully vintage or antique and unpleasantly dated is subjective depending on the architectural style and individual taste,” confirms Leah Harmatz, founder of Field Theory Design in San Francisco and the designer of Hotel Lilien in Tannersville, New York. Still, there are some general guidelines that separate antique from antiquated.
Mixing your antique and vintage pieces with modern art and lighting can help a space feel current, according to Adrianne Bugg, principal designer for Pillar & Peacock interior design in Florence, Alabama (which she co-founded with Brandeis Short). The “something new” helps the “something old” feel fresh and part of the fashionable family.
How well a piece is integrated into the space can also make all the difference between tastefully vintage or antique and unpleasantly outdated, adds Kellie Sirna, owner and principal of Studio 11 Design in Dallas, Texas. If the touches feel intentional and complementary to modern elements, they can add character. Vintage art in a modern frame? So stylish. A well-maintained antique end table styled with a small stack of current coffee table books? Tres chic.
“However, if an element dominates the space or clashes with the overall vibe, they can feel out of place and create an outdated aesthetic,” Sirna says. (We’re looking at you, popcorn ceilings.)
You can never go wrong by choosing pieces that are classic and not trendy for just right now, Bugg adds. Below, we’re revealing the home furniture, decor, and design choices that are making your home look dated, according to designers.
Red, Orange, or Very Dark Wood
Trends move quickly in the TikTok era, but the ’90s-style wood cabinets and floors that are stained in reddish, orange, or extremely dark shades tend to feel behind the times, Sirna and Harmatz note.
“Many people today want to brighten up spaces, maximizing warmth and natural light. To do this they’re trending towards natural and organic materials and light-driven design aesthetics, like Scandinavian or Japandi,” Harmatz says.
These styles celebrate surfaces like bamboo, light beechwoods, white oak, or light walnut, and lean heavily into white elements to infuse a more airy and open aura.
“Even in darker natural woods, natural wood cabinets and millwork can feel modern and stylish as long as they don’t skew too red or orange-hued,” Harmatz adds.
Oak 3/4 in. Thick x 2-1/4 in. Wide Solid Hardwood Flooring
Stark, Minimal Interiors
Although they can look clean, “these spaces often come across as cold and uninviting,” says Sirna, and far from homey.
In recent years, homeowners have been shifting away from the industrial look and leaning into another Scandinavian concept: hygge. This design aesthetic is centered on creating comforting spaces that exude warmth and invite settling in, Sirna explains.
The 10 core principles of hygge can help inspire your interior design: atmosphere, presence, pleasure, equality, gratitude, harmony, comfort, truce, togetherness and, finally, shelter. Rugs, soft lighting, candles, art, throw blankets, and natural elements all hit the hygge target and say, “come in and cozy up.”
SFERRA Celine Herringbone, 100% Cotton Throw Blanket
Bouclé Fabric
When it comes to fabric choices for sofas, pillows, and window treatments, Sirna says it’s time to retire anything bouclé. Although it adds visual interest and texture to a space and as recently as last year was pegged as a quiet luxury mainstay, the looped yarn material’s curls and nubby rows can easily snag and tear with use over time.
“This textile is definitely losing its appeal compared to years in the recent past, primarily because it’s tricky to keep looking fresh, especially in high-traffic areas that get a lot of use,” Sirna says.
In its place, many people are gravitating toward smoother, easier-to-care-for fabrics that still bring that cozy vibe without all the upkeep, Sirna notes. Cotton, wool blends, and other textured fabrics feel more timeless, and come in a variety of solid colors and prints.
Jillien Harbor 20″ Throw Pillow Cover
Matchy-Matchy Furniture
It might be tempting to hit the easy button and invest in a coordinated set of furniture, but Harmatz believes that’s a lot to lock in with one click.
“Overly matchy, especially matching ornate furniture, can feel dated because people have moved toward creating homes that feel more liveable and comfortable. Homes are a reflection or extension of one’s individual style, and people are gravitating toward materials that have a more thoughtful, organic feel,” Harmatz says.
For a timeless and well curated home, opt for a mix of antiques, items collected during your travels, personal collections, and furniture from different styles and periods.
Billy Baldwin Style Linen Upholstered Slipper Chair
Granite Countertops
While granite isn’t as “out” as countertops made from laminate and tile, its heyday has passed. (Especially if we’re talking about the ultra-shiny brown or beige kind.)
True, granite is durable and fairly budget-friendly, but you have much more timeless, sturdy, and stylish options at a similar price point. Quartz, marble, porcelain, wood, and other natural stone countertops are all gaining in popularity.
As for Harmatz, she steers clients considering granite towards “natural stones with more interesting veining and movement, such as marble or soapstone.”
Silestone Quartz Countertop Sample in Ethereal Indigo
Karla Walsh is a Des Moines, Iowa-based freelance writer, editor, freelance writing coach and level one sommelier who balances her love of food and drink with her passion for fitness (or tries to, at least!). She has over 15 years of professional experience covering food, wine, travel, nutrition, health, fitness, psychology, beauty, relationships and beyond.
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