Everyone fears that their home may be the dreaded d-word: dated. Some interior design choices feel classic no matter when they’re made, and others can feel like a mistake in just a couple years. Whether you’re giving an older home new life or looking to reboot your own personal style, here are some trends that can be left in the past—and some alternatives that can make a space feel timeless.
Dated: Honey Oak
This orange stained oak is sure to take your home back to the ’80s and ’90s. The strong warm undertones clash with a lot of cool or neutral color palettes, making it less than ideal for many contemporary interior design trends.
Timeless: Walnut
Walnut has been a go-to in interior design for decades—and for good reason! It’s a deep rich wood with natural luster and movement thanks to waves and curls in the grain. It offers a touch of elegance to any interior whether your style is modern, contemporary or traditional.
Dated: Carpet Everywhere
Carpet can be cozy, but the homeowners of the past sometimes took it too far. As far as flooring goes, it’s among the more difficult to clean and can be the easiest to wear out. Rip it up and make the change to solid surface flooring.
Timeless: Wood Throughout
Wood floors offer durability and easy maintenance while adding warmth to any space. Plus, they can help visually expand and lengthen the rooms of your home. Wood floors are easier to care for than carpet and are more homey inviting than tile. This is an interior design staple that is not changing anytime soon.
Dated: Chevron
The 2010s saw every surface bedecked with this geometric pattern. Rugs? Walls? Furniture? Check. Check. Check. Adding a pop of pattern can be an easy way to infuse some character and personality into a space, but it’s time to leave chevron in the past.
Timeless: Herringbone
Still want a geometric vibe? Herringbone is your answer. It’s similar to chevron, but it’s already withstood the test of time. After all, it dates back to Ancient Egypt and the Roman Empire. Introduce it in a tile backsplash, or go with a patterned wooden floor.
