4 Small Things That Make Your Home Look Very Dated
Maybe you bought your home years ago, when styles and tastes were different. Or maybe you found the perfect home and put an offer on it, despite a few things in the house that bothered you. The truth is, you may be living in a house that is dramatically outdated—a fact that stands out to everyone who visits. Whether you plan to sell your home soon or stay for another thirty years, your outdated décor lowers its value and creates an eyesore for everyone who visits. Here are a few things that tell the world your home was built before the millennium.
Wood Paneling
Interestingly, wood paneling does have a place in today’s homes but only when done in a modern way. Contemporary wood paneling is designed to give a home a rustic look, similar to what would be seen in a log cabin. Contrast that with the basic wood paneling of the 60s and 70s and you may see why your wood paneling may make your home look more than a little dated. Often the best cure for outdated wood paneling is simply to cover it in light-colored paint as seen here.
Split-Level Construction
In the 1970s, split-level homes were all the rage. Featuring a main level that sat partway between the upper and lower floors, these homes were a unique design at the time. Today, not so much. There are a few fixes you can make to your split-level home to modernize it but may involve tearing down walls to create the open plan seen in most of today’s new homes. You can also focus on making small changes to the exterior.
Dark Cabinetry
Cabinets have endured many trends over the years, from extremely dark wood to whites, yellows, and greens. You can make small changes to outdated cabinets using paint, veneer, or by changing out your doors. Often the bold stylings of outdated cabinets are in the doors and type of wood, making it easy to make updates without completely ripping out your cabinetry and starting over. Even the right color of paint and some new knobs can make a big difference.
Patterned Wallpaper
Wallpaper had its place in history, from the ornate wallpapers of early 1900s homes to the bright painted wallpapers of the 1950s and 60s. Newer homes rarely feature wallpaper and if they do, it’s in the form of a subtle border. If you’re faced with a home full of wallpaper, you have quite a quandary on your hands. Removing wallpaper can be tricky but it can be done with the right tools and some hard work. In addition to reading over how-to guides like this one, you can ask the advice of your local hardware store expert to make sure you’re employing the right methods for your specific wallpaper type.
Your home is likely your most valuable financial assets. If there are elements in your décor that can reduce the value of that asset, it could cost you. By making a few simple updates, you can improve the look of your home and ensure it commands a higher price when you do someday decide to sell.
