Your home should feel fresh and welcoming, but sometimes little things in your decor can hold your space back from looking modern. Updating your style doesn’t always mean a full renovation; often, it’s about identifying habits or trends that no longer fit today’s design standards.
Knowing which old decor habits to avoid can help you create a space that feels updated and stylish without much effort. By recognizing these common pitfalls, you can easily make small changes that have a big impact on your home’s overall vibe.
Using outdated wallpaper with busy patterns or borders
If your walls are covered with wallpaper featuring busy patterns or floral borders, your space might feel stuck in the past. These designs were popular in previous decades but can make your home seem dated today.
Wallpaper borders, especially those from the ’80s or ’90s, tend to interrupt the flow of a room and draw attention for the wrong reasons. Instead, consider swapping them for bold accent walls or modern, subtle wallpaper patterns.
Updating your wallpaper doesn’t have to mean stripping it all away. You can refresh your room by choosing simpler, cleaner designs that suit current trends while keeping your personality intact.
Keeping popcorn ceilings instead of smoothing them
Keeping popcorn ceilings can make your home feel stuck in the past. While they were popular decades ago, they often clash with modern design trends.
You might think painting over popcorn ceilings is enough, but the texture still draws attention. Smoothing the ceiling creates a cleaner, fresher look that brightens up your space.
If removal feels overwhelming, there are easy ways to cover popcorn ceilings with materials like wood or fabric. But smoothing the ceiling or applying a flat finish will do the most to update your rooms.
Relying on vertical blinds rather than modern window treatments
If you still use vertical blinds, your space might feel a bit dated. While they are practical for large windows, they often lack the modern look many homeowners want today.
You can easily update your windows with options like Roman shades or sheer curtains. These styles add softness and a fresh, clean feel to any room.
Mixing drapes with inset shades also creates a more customized and stylish appearance. This approach helps your window treatments blend seamlessly with your home’s overall design.
Filling rooms entirely with generic big-box store decor
When you fill a room only with items from big-box stores, your space can start to feel bland. These pieces often lack personality because many others have the same ones.
Your home becomes less unique when you rely solely on mass-produced decor. Instead, mix in items that speak to your style.
Choosing a few special pieces or vintage finds can make your space more inviting. It helps your decor feel thoughtful, not just convenient.
