10 Home Trends That Instantly Make a Room Look Old

Some home trends age well. Others… not so much. The problem is, what looked fresh 10 years ago can now make a space feel outdated fast. If something feels “off” about a room and you can’t figure out why, it’s probably one of these tired trends dragging it down.

These are the design choices that make a room instantly feel older than it should.

Gray Everything

An all-gray room was everywhere a few years ago, but now it tends to feel flat and dated. Walls, floors, and furniture in the same cool gray make the whole space feel lifeless.

Swapping in warmer neutrals or even bringing back crisp white does wonders. It instantly freshens the space without needing a full overhaul.

Tuscan Brown and Heavy Wood Tones

Those dark brown cabinets, heavy wood furniture, and orangey granite scream mid-2000s. They weigh down the room and make everything feel darker than it needs to be.

If replacing cabinets isn’t an option, painting them or lightening up the counters and backsplash makes a huge difference.

Word Art and Cheesy Signs

The “Live Laugh Love” era had its moment. So did every farmhouse-style sign telling people to “gather” or “stay awhile.”

At this point, it tends to cheapen the look of a room. Swapping them out for actual art or simple framed prints looks way more polished.

Short Curtains Hung Too Low

Curtains that stop at the window trim instantly shrink the room and make it look stuck in the past.

Hang your curtains high and wide. Floor-to-ceiling panels make the whole room feel taller, brighter, and way more current.

Glass Block Windows

Glass blocks were huge in the ‘90s for bathrooms and basements. Now? They look bulky and way out of date.

Replacing them with clear or frosted modern windows cleans up the look. If that’s not in the budget, even a sheer curtain or film can help tone them down.

Heavy Scrollwork Furniture

Oversized wood furniture with scrolled arms, carved details, and heavy embellishments dates a space fast.

Switching to cleaner lines, even in wood, gives the room breathing space. You don’t have to go full modern—just less ornate.

Matching Furniture Sets

Buying a whole matching set of a couch, loveseat, and recliner (or bedroom set with the same bed, nightstands, and dresser) feels straight out of the early 2000s.

Mixing materials, shapes, and textures looks more intentional and modern. Keep what works but swap out a piece or two to break it up.

Beige Tile with Brown Grout

That builder-grade beige tile with muddy grout is one of the fastest ways to make a bathroom or kitchen feel older than it is.

If retiling isn’t in the cards, grout paint works wonders. A lighter or cleaner grout color can make old tile look surprisingly fresh.

Faux Finish Walls

Remember sponge painting, rag rolling, or that weird suede wall finish? Yeah, it instantly timestamps a room.

A crisp coat of flat or satin paint erases it fast. Modern paint colors in whites, creams, or even moody colors clean the slate.

Overly Themed Rooms

Whether it’s a full-on beach room in the middle of Kansas or a cabin theme with bears and pine trees everywhere, overly themed spaces feel dated fast.

Keep a few nods to what you like, but tone it down. You can love the coast without having seashells glued to every surface.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.