As the tides of design trends ebb and flow, there are certain ones we fervently hope never resurface. Explore these antiquated design trends and discover their contemporary solutions.
Dated Trend: Popcorn Ceiling
This fad gained popularity from the 1950s to the 1980s, but nowadays, it's seen as a style mistake. Today, most homeowners prefer finding ways to eliminate this outdated ceiling feature from their older homes rather than adding it.
Solution: Smooth Ceiling
Opt for a smooth and tidy appearance rather than choosing popcorn ceilings.
Dated Trend: Block Tile
Although block windows in showers or above a bathtub offer privacy, they may not be the most visually appealing design element.
Solution: Opaque Window
An opaque window is a sleek and modern way to provide privacy in a bathroom with a window over the shower or tub.
Dated Trend: Carpeted Bathrooms
Carpeted bathrooms not only retain stains and bacteria but also lack aesthetic appeal. Let's pledge to keep this trend away from our homes for good.
Solution: Luxurious Stone or Tile
Opting for stone or tile flooring is a hygienic, low-maintenance, and aesthetically pleasing choice for bathrooms of any size.
Dated Trend: Sunken Living Room
In the 1960s and 1970s, sunken living rooms were trendy, but today we prefer single-level, open-concept homes with fewer unnecessary steps.
Solution: All One Level
The seamless flow of this open-concept living room and kitchen, thanks to the single level, contributes to the bright and spacious feel of the space.
Dated Trend: Clunky Sliding Glass Shower Door
These sliding glass shower doors not only lack aesthetic appeal, but their intricate parts also provide a breeding ground for mold and mildew.
Solution: Make it Seamless
The expansive glass panels in this shower create a seamless, clean, and airy appearance. Beyond the aesthetic appeal, the functional glass door serves to open up the limited space in the small bathroom.
Dated Trend: Pass-Through Window
While a small pass-through window might have seemed like a good idea a few years ago, now it appears diminutive and unfinished.
Solution: Open it Up
Open-plan kitchens are all the rage now, and rightfully so. Beyond the aesthetic appeal, an open-concept kitchen and living room provide an excellent design choice for both entertaining guests and spending quality time with family while preparing a meal.
Dated Trend: Small Closets
Older homes often come with small closets, but in today's era, everyone is seeking maximum closet space.
Solution: Ample Storage
A walk-in closet with generous storage ensures you can unwind at the end of the day, confident that there's ample space for everything from professional workwear to weekend adventure gear.
Dated Trend: Short Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets that fall short of reaching the ceiling are holding your kitchen back from reaching its full potential.
Dated Trend: Strip Lighting
The mirrored strip lighting is an '80s eyesore that should stay in that decade and not make a comeback.
Solution: Stunning Sconces
Nowadays, there's a plethora of sconce styles and finishes that surpass the dated '80s strip lighting. Choose a light fixture that elevates your style, such as this classic brass sconce.
Dated Trend: Heavy & Short Draper
The weighty drapery in this space not only brings it down visually but also darkens it, giving the dining room a cave-like feel. The low-hanging curtains further contribute to the illusion of shorter ceilings.
Solution: Lighten it Up & Take Them to the Ceiling
Opting for light and airy curtains in this living space adds an inviting and energetic atmosphere, elevating the overall design. Extend your curtains and curtain rod up to the ceiling, even if your window doesn't reach that high. This design trick creates the illusion of taller ceilings.
Source: HGTV.com by Lauren Fansler