by Katie Mientka
Trends come and go like the seasons – and sometimes more quickly! When it comes to your home, trends are like guests: welcome, but you don’t want them staying forever. Throw pillows, paintings, linens, curtains… these elements can be easily and relatively inexpensively switched out.
Core features, like flooring, ceilings, fixtures, appliances, and cabinetry, however, can make your entire space feel dated. Shag carpeting, dark wood paneling, and avocado green appliances are easy. What are some other signs your home could use an update?
Carpet Everywhere.
Carpet is a staple in many homes because it offers insulative properties, and can create a warm, cozy atmosphere. However, wall-to-wall carpeting often makes homes feel outdated. To keep your home looking fresh, clean, and timeless, opt for smoother surfaces like hardwood, tile, or LVP and add some color and warmth with area or throw rugs.
Lackluster Linoleum.
Linoleum was a favorite fifteen to twenty years ago. But these floors are not made to last. They can add a dreary, grungy flavor to your home.
Honey-Hued Cabinets.
Trendy in the 1980s and 1990s, honey oak and other warm wood cabinets turn your kitchen into a time warp. Sleek lightstained options will stand the test of time, create a light, airy space, and provide a perfect canvas for small updates that will keep your home fresh.
Beige, Anyone?
Beige has a solid track record as a go-to neutral. But if your walls and tile have pink, peach, or yellow undertones, it becomes instantly dated. Cooler neutrals like grey are a crisp alternative. If you do like a warm look, there’s always greige — grey with softer brown tones.
Popcorn is for the Movies.
Oh, that textured ceiling trend!
It’s not coming back. Ever. Replace this lumpy impossible-to-clean surface with gorgeous beams, coffered ceilings, or — if you don’t have the height — a ¼ or ½ inch of sheetrock. Your rooms will instantly look larger, brighter, and cleaner.
Brassy Gold Hardware and Fixtures.
Silvers and bronzes are much more contemporary. Unlike popcorn ceilings, though, gold is not going away. Modern gold fixtures are muted, less shiny, less brassy, and more enduring in their appeal.
All White Appliances.
It’s hard to keep spotless, makes a kitchen feel dated, and it’s a turn-off if you want to sell your home.
Lame-inate Countertops.
Laminate is an affordable option, but it’s not a long-lasting one in terms of style or practicality. Surfaces like granite, quartz, and stainless steel are more durable, sanitary, and aesthetically pleasing.
Ornate Railings.
Intricate, statement-making staircase railings were all the rage in the early aughts. It makes a different statement now: outdated. You cannot go wrong with simple, elegant, and timeless.
Take ACo’s online quiz at liveaco.com/love-it to find out if you love where you live, or if your home could use an update. Whether you need a little refresh or a complete remodel, an investment in your home’s beauty, style, and functionality will deliver returns you’ll love for years to come.
