By Bash Kaif
Published on 09/12/25
Oh, friend, have you ever stepped into a room and felt like you’ve time-traveled to the 90s? I totally get it—design trends zip by faster than sugar ants in Texas invading your kitchen! Some small decor choices, like a toilet gurgling when showering, can scream “outdated” without you even noticing. I chatted with some pro designers to get the lowdown on six sneaky elements that age a room, and I’m sharing their fixes to make your space feel fresh and timeless. Plus, I’m weaving in your favorite home and garden tips like mums yellow, pergola with lights, and how to clean a fake leather sofa to keep it fun and relatable. Let’s revamp your room like we’re swapping ideas over a cozy coffee date!
Meet the Experts
- Rebecca Frye Jones, founder of a design studio, with a talent for timeless interiors.
- Emily Roose, head of her own interior design firm, passionate about modern elegance.
- Kristina Petit, creator of a design collective, known for fresh, stylish spaces.
1. Wall-to-Wall Carpeting (Outside the Bedroom)
The Problem
Okay, can we talk about wall-to-wall carpeting? It’s like stepping into a 90s time warp! Rebecca Frye Jones says carpeting everywhere but the bedroom flattens a room and feels dingy, like a lawn littered with little small dirt piles from voles in Michigan.
The Fix
Ditch the carpet for area rugs to add warmth and style, like planting part sun part shade perennials for a vibrant garden. Choose a rug in the right size—check king size bed rug dimensions or king bed rug placement for guidance—to transform your space, just like a green and white plant brings life to a corner.
2. Matchy-Matchy Furniture Sets
The Problem
Ever seen a living room where every piece looks straight out of a catalog? Total snooze! Jones says matching furniture sets lack personality, like a kitchen with cherry cabinets that hasn’t been refreshed.
The Fix
“Mix antique or vintage pieces with modern ones for a curated vibe,” Jones suggests. Hunt for unique finds on marketplaces or estate sales—think a quirky chair or a table crafted from red oak vs white oak trees. It’s like adding a backsplashes herringbone pattern to your kitchen or using an edge saw to build a pergola with lights for your patio.
3. Bulky, Old-School Built-Ins
The Problem
Those built-ins designed for giant, clunky TVs? They’re design dinosaurs! Jones notes they disrupt a room’s flow and scream “outdated,” like a dishwasher without a dedicated circuit struggling to keep up.
The Fix
Modern TVs are sleek and can blend into walls like art, so skip bulky built-ins. Opt for streamlined storage with a typical base cabinet depth for functionality, or hang a mirror to open things up, like a yellow kalanchoe plant brightening a room. Keep the flow smooth, like ensuring a side garage door seal keeps things tidy.
4. Over-the-Top Themed Decor
The Problem
I love a good theme, but going all-in with nautical or farmhouse vibes? It’s like overwatering a green peony! Emily Roose says extreme themes date a room instantly.
The Fix
Nod to a style subtly—like blue grasscloth wallpaper with a jute rug for a coastal feel, instead of seashell overload. It’s like choosing flowering plants for part sun to enhance your garden or using a peroxide bottle to clean a fake leather sofa without overdoing it. Balance it out, like measuring how much overhang for countertop seating for perfection.
5. Barn Doors (Unless You Live on a Farm)
The Problem
Remember when barn doors were everywhere? Yeah, they’re so last decade! Kristina Petit says unless you’re in a real farmhouse, barn doors make your home look stuck in the 2000s, like a golden monkey tail cactus outgrowing its pot.
The Fix
Swap them for sleek, modern doors that suit your style, like checking stair railing dimensions for a perfect fit. It’s as refreshing as planting shrubs that are drought tolerant or learning how to repel bees and wasps to keep your outdoor space inviting.
6. Too Much Gray Everything
The Problem
I used to adore gray, but it’s like it took over and won’t let go! Petit says overloading on cool-toned grays makes a room feel dated, like trying to paint over oil paint with latex without prep—it just doesn’t work.
The Fix
Embrace warm, happy hues inspired by orange tropical flowers or a lucy rose of sharon. Layer in cozy textures, like picking the right towel sizes or hanging a chandelier at the right height above a dining table (check how high to hang chandelier above dining table for tips). It’s like adding Persian flowers to your decor for a vibrant pop.
Final Thoughts
Clearing out these dated design choices feels like decluttering a closet full of old clothes—so liberating! Swap wall-to-wall carpet for a chic rug, mix up your furniture, ditch bulky built-ins, tone down themes, say goodbye to barn doors, and warm up those grays to make your space feel personal and fresh. It’s as satisfying as planting a columnar maple for a sleek garden or learning how long for caulk to dry before painting for a flawless finish. So, grab your design ideas, maybe even toss that old microwave while you’re at it, and let’s make your room shine like a pergola with lights at dusk!
Leave a Reply