8 materials in your home that are making it feel older than it is

Shiny and heavy used to read “new.” Now, it often reads “older remodel.” If your rooms feel stuck in time and you can’t put your finger on it, it might be the materials stealing the show.

High-gloss everything

Glossy tile, shiny stone, lacquered furniture, and mirror-finish metal together can feel like yesterday fast. Balance any bright surface with matte paint, honed stone, or raw wood so the mix doesn’t glare. Sheen variety is what makes a room feel current.

Ornate, red-toned woods

Heavy cherry or orange-leaning stains can pull a space back a decade. You don’t have to replace them—repeat the tone in two small places so it feels intentional, then counter with mid-tone oak, walnut, or painted pieces. A textured runner and warm bulbs help too.

Busy speckled counters

Old granite patterns fight every plate and pillow. If replacing isn’t happening, choose wall paint that calms the undertone and switch to matte hardware and fabric shades. Keep counters styled with fewer, larger items so the speckle isn’t the star.

Tiny, shiny mosaics

Glass mosaics and high-contrast micro tile read fast, not tailored. A matte grout in a matching tone plus quieter surrounding finishes buys you breathing room. If you’re renovating, large-format tile with tight grout lines looks cleaner and ages better.

Builder chrome in a sea of brass

Mixing metals can work, but scattered one-offs look accidental. Pick two finishes per room and repeat them three times. If you’re transitioning out of shiny chrome, start with hardware and lampshades. Touchpoints move the needle more than you think.

Faux-aged everything

Over-distressed wood and faux patina paints can tip into theme. Bring in one honest material—real linen, unglazed clay, raw wood—and let it anchor the more decorative pieces. A few “real” textures calm a lot of pretend.

Matchy stone and tile

When counters, backsplash, and floor all shout, nothing lands. Choose one leader and let the others support it in tone or texture. Even if you can only paint the walls and change the bulbs, you can shift the read from “dated” to “quiet.”

Blue-white lighting on warm materials

Cool bulbs over creamy tile and wood create a clash that reads older. Warm bulbs settle undertones and make everything feel more intentional. Lighting is the cheapest renovation you’ll ever do.