You love your house, but something about it just feels dated and you can’t figure out why. Does that sound like you? It also sounds like hundreds of other homeowners who can’t seem to find out why their home feels out of style. It’s okay, I’m here to help.
Because I’ve heard this topic a lot from friends and family, I decided to make it into a series. I’m going to help you identify not only what is making your home feel dated, but what to do to fix that. So if you’re interested, keep reading and if you know what’s dating your home but you’re not sure how to fix it, drop a comment below and I’ll help you solve it.
Ready? Let’s Dive into it.
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The #1 Reason Your Home Looks Dated
Those tile counters are dating your home and causing you a headache. Tile countertops not only scream “out of date,” but they’re also impractical. Food and germs get caught in the grout and make keeping them clean and presentable nearly impossible. They may even be considered one of the most regrettable design choices in history.
It seems a little extreme, but they truly do not serve a practical or aesthetic purpose. So what should you do instead? The good news is, there are a ton of options. The bad news is, it won’t be cheap or easy.
Update Your Tile Counters
Leave the tile for your backsplash. Instead of covering your counters with grout, move your tile to a place that gets a little less dirty and instead opt to keep your countertops a smooth surface. Use a solid slab on your counters which will not only update your home, but it will cut your cleaning time in half. If you’re looking for quality countertop options, check out a few of my favorite materials:
- Quartz
- Granite
- Marble
- Concrete
- Butcher block
All Grey Everything Is Out Of Style
Does your home still have a grey kitchen with grey floors and a grey bathroom? Then that could be part of the reason your home looks dated. All grey homes were a recent popular trend in modern farmhouse style and as they do, this trend came and went. Thankfully, as many might add.
Not only is the all-grey dated, but it leaves your home feeling dull and one-dimensional. It lacks any character and personality, leaving your house feeling less than a home.
Change It Up
Instead of all grey everything, add some depth by incorporating a new color. Soften the space with a warm white or bring a new dimension by incorporating a deep black. However you decide to mix it up, just make sure you add some variation. Don’t be afraid to go bold, you can always repaint it later.
Speaking Of Grey…
That tile that’s not quite grey and not quite beige in your bathroom is dating your home. For whatever reason, home builders in the 2000’s thought this greige tile was beautiful enough to put into every home and it quickly went out of style. I’m brazen enough to say it was never really in style. Regardless, if it’s in your home today it’s doing your place a disservice.
Replace It
Instead of greige, there are a wide variety of options to choose from. My personal favorite is a single slab creating a sleek shower look, but that’s not always possible for everyone. If you need some inspiration for non-greige tile options, here you go:
- large scale marbled tile
- small-scale ceramic tile
- subway tile (a classic)
- any porcelain tile
- a bold color tile
Carpet Doesn’t Belong Everywhere
I know carpet is so soft on your feet and so comfortable, but it’s just not meant to go everywhere. If your home has carpet in the common areas or really anywhere but the bedrooms, it’s dating your house. I know you love it, but if you want to update your house it may be time to let it go.
Besides, carpet carries germs and is much more difficult to clean. You may not know this, but carpet stores allergens, dirt, and grime that vacuuming alone can’t get out. Plus, if a liquid gets on it you have to really worry about mold and replacing your carpet.
If you need to have carpet anywhere, I think you should limit it to the bedrooms only. And if you can stomach it, I encourage you to continue your regular flooring into those as well and just add a rug under the bed for comfort purposes.
Add A Hard Surface
So if the carpet is making your home look dated, what should you use instead? There are a few wonderful options, but the best option is a waterproof hardwood or laminate option. If you can run the same flooring throughout most of the house, you will create continuity and make your house feel more up-to-date. You can also mix it up in your smaller spaces like bathrooms and laundry rooms with tile, bamboo, or other non-carpet flooring options.
