4 min readWhether you frequently have guests over, are looking to sell, or simply want fresh interiors that are pleasing to your eyes, there are plenty of reasons to update a home.
“A dated home can give the impression that it hasn’t been cared for or thoughtfully maintained,” says Jodi Cook Monts, founder and principal designer of Cook Design House. “Spaces that feel worn or outdated often come across as tired and uninviting, which can affect not only how we feel in our homes, but also how others feel when they visit.”
Drew Michael Scott of Lone Fox says that when it comes to freshened-up interiors, we don’t talk enough about how important it can be for your mental health and well-being, since a fresh and inviting atmosphere can help you “feel at peace.”
“Living in a home you don’t love can make it harder to relax, feel inspired, and want to host your friends and family,” he points out.
Although there are some things that are glaringly dated (popcorn ceilings, anyone?), there are some aspects of our spaces that are “quietly” dating them, things that might be just under your radar. For a home that truly feels current and up-to-date, discover the things that are subtly aging your home—and what to do instead.
Outlet Covers
“Outlet covers are such a forgotten detail, but they can really make homes feel dated,” says Scott. “No new home has yellowed biscuit-colored outlet covers, so when you see them in a space, it instantly transports you to a decade-long past.”
Instead, Scott suggests priming and painting each outlet cover to match your walls and help them blend in.
“I also love a stainless steel cover because it gives a fresh, modern vibe,” he says.
Aging Cabinetry Profiles
Alexandra Azat of Plaster & Patina says that heavy, ornate, or overly traditional cabinet fronts can make kitchens and bathrooms feel visually dated.
“Updating cabinetry with simpler profiles, refined millwork, or a fresh paint finish can dramatically modernize a space while maintaining timeless character,” she says.
Recessed Lighting
Although it might seem like a mainstay in many homes, recessed lighting has had its day in the sun, and nowadays, it looks dated.
Instead, designer Kishani Perera recommends swapping out can lights for a pendant or flush mount fixture. And, “add petite lamps wherever you can,” she says.
Heavily Textured Walls
Heavily textured walls that showcase orange peel finishes, stucco styles, and Venetian plaster communicate a “dated” feel in most of today’s homes.
While updating these textured walls is “not a small project,” as Cook Monts says, she thinks that it’s worth it since these walls are often a telltale sign that a home hasn’t been updated in quite some time.
“If a remodel is already on your horizon, I would absolutely add smoothing the walls to the scope,” she says. “It’s a subtle change that makes a major impact, instantly giving a home a cleaner, more current, and elevated feel.”
All-Gray Everything
Cook Monts also says that the gray-on-gray-on-white trend has officially run its course.
“Today’s interiors are leaning warmer, richer, and far more layered,” she says. “If your home still features gray-brown flooring, gray cabinetry, white countertops, and pale gray walls, it may be time to warm things up.”
She says that the good news is you don’t have to renovate everything to make a noticeable difference.
“Refinishing wood floors in a rich brown tone and repainting walls in a warm neutral like Benjamin Moore’s China White can completely transform the feel of a home without requiring a major overhaul,” she says.
Worn Upholstery
Since “furniture often outlasts its fabric,” as Azat mentions, she says that pieces with tired upholstery, dated patterns, or bulky silhouettes can weigh down an otherwise beautiful room.
“Reupholstering quality furniture in textured neutrals or more tailored fabrics is an effective way to refresh a home while preserving comfort and craftsmanship,” she says.
Builder-Grade Hardware
“Basic chrome faucets, generic cabinet hardware, and standard builder-grade light fixtures can quietly age a space, even if the larger design elements still feel current,” Cook Monts says. “Swapping in more thoughtfully selected hardware and fixtures in finishes like aged brass, polished nickel, or matte black instantly gives a home a more elevated and intentional feel.”
Single-Color Kitchens
Perera defines single-color ktheychens as spaces “where the cabinetry matches the island and all of the hardware is uniform,” and it can feel dated.
As an alternative, she suggests “mixing it up.”
“I love to paint cabinetry one color, and do something entirely different with paint and hardware on the island,” she says. “Or paint your uppers a different hue than your lower cabinets.”
Matching Furniture Sets
“Perfectly matched furniture sets can make a home feel flat and overly staged,” Cook Monts shares. “Today’s interiors feel much more collected and personal. Mixing wood tones, incorporating vintage or antique pieces, and layering in varied textures creates a home that feels more lived-in, curated, and timeless rather than something purchased straight from a showroom floor.”
Accent Walls
Yes, we said it—accent walls have had a moment for a while, but currently, they may actually be quietly aging your home. In fact, Scott says that right now, making an accent wall feel fresh is a “near impossible task.”
“Just paint the accent wall back to the color of the rest of your room,” he says. “It shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours, and then you’re back to a nice blank slate to work with. Not only will it neutralize and freshen up the whole vibe of the room, but it also gives you more options to rearrange your furniture without having to take the accent wall into account.”
Trend-Driven Details
Even though trends are a great way to update a space, there is such a thing as too trendy, especially when it comes to your finishes and details throughout.
“Homes can quickly feel dated when they lean too heavily into short-lived trends,” Azat says. “Materials like overly gray flooring, high-gloss finishes, or heavily themed design moments often lose relevance quickly. Replacing them with natural textures, timeless materials, and a more curated palette helps create a home that feels enduring rather than trend-specific.”
