18 Home Decor Items That Scream ‘Old Homeowner’

Written By Jill Taylor

Some of us have certain items in our homes that, let’s face it, do basically scream ‘older homeowner’. If you have any of the following 18 items in your home, you might be giving off that impression, so maybe it’s time for a home makeover!

Popcorn Ceilings

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Homes & Gardens pinpoints the mid-to-late 20th century as the peak of popcorn ceiling popularity. Nowadays, they’re not popular at all, so people who still have them in their homes may be giving the impression of being older homeowners.

Pastel Fixtures

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Mint green and pastel pink bathrooms from the 1950s are still loved for their vintage charm despite attempts by many to rip them out and replace them with boring, sterile, white bathrooms. For this example, we believe that being an ‘older homeowner’ is something to be proud of.

Laminate Countertops

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Using Formica and other laminate materials for kitchen counters was all the rage in the 1960s and ’70s. They’re durable, although they’re not as desirable as natural stone options. That being said, many still choose laminate due to its lower price.

Dark Wood Paneling

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A popular look for a cozy feel in the 60s and 70s was dark wood paneling all around your home. However, as time has gone by, this aesthetic actually makes rooms feel small and dated. As such, many older homeowners have been painting over these panels or removing them.

Oversized Media Cabinets

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Once upon a time, we needed massive media cabinets to be able to accommodate the size of the massive TVs and stereo systems we all used to own. But now, the size of these cabinets is obsolete because the electronics hardware itself is a whole lot smaller.

Chintz Wallpaper

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The fussy floral patterns of Chintz were popular in random periods throughout history but haven’t been mainstream fashion for at least 30 years. Country and Town House recently reported that it’s making a bit of a comeback, but for the most part, this type of wallpaper is stuck in the past.

Vertical Blinds

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Vertical blinds are still as functional as any other type of blind, realistically. But they are difficult to clean and can be prone to damage. As a result, many older vertical blinds look quite tattered and should probably be replaced by roller shades.

Word Art and Wall Decals

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‘Live, Laugh, Love’ and similar phrases were once trendy wall decals, but the younger generation has laughed at this kind of decoration too much for it to still feel current. It’s probably best to opt for some unique art or photography.

Tile Countertops

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Another type of countertop that was once very popular (particularly in the 70s) was tile. But people quickly began to realize that grout lines are hard to keep clean and can begin to look old quite fast. Instead, modern kitchens favor seamless surfaces like solid quartz or granite.

Linoleum Floors

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According to Forbes, lino flooring has been popular in the past because of its durability and cheap installation. However, people have been opting for different materials throughout time, meaning that lino floors are typically left in homes that haven’t been updated for a while.

Wallpaper Borders

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Wallpaper borders were in fashion as decorative trim for a brief period in the 1990s. But this trend didn’t last long, and now these types of borders feel quite dated. Perhaps you should replace them with crown molding or an accent wall.

Pine Furniture

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Pine smells great and lasts well, so there’s no need to get rid of it altogether despite the fact that it’s slightly out of fashion these days compared to the 80s and the 90s. You can actually just refresh these pieces with paint or by mixing them with more modern decor in your home.

Crochet Blankets

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There’s nothing quite as cozy as a nice crochet blanket, although they can appear a little dated if organized as a centerpiece in your home. Recently, many owners of these items have been balancing them with more contemporary textiles for a fun, modern twist.

China Cabinets

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Once upon a time, a good cabinet was an essential piece of furniture in the home for everyone to display fine china. But now, the idea of displaying china in this way is out of fashion and out of date. Instead of using the cabinets for china, why not display something unique?

Velvet Paintings

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Velvet paintings are most associated with the Kitsch movement of the 1970s, says ArtRKL, and they haven’t really been repopularized since then. Sure, some people still buy them for a vintage aesthetic, but they’re not going to come back into mainstream fashion any time soon.

Tiffany Style Lamps

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Tiffany-style lamps are well-known among the older generation for their stained glass and intricate designs. Many still believe them to be beautiful, and beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but the mainstream view of them these days is that they look heavy and overly ornate.

Ruffled Bed Skirts

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These bed skirts were once a bedroom staple for a romantic look. But there aren’t many people these days who’ll believe they were ever associated with romance! In fact, a lot of people look at them and think they’re fussy or outdated.

Macramé Plant Hangers

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This boho trend from the 1970s is still cool to some people who like a more vintage feel in their homes, so it can certainly still be pulled off if that’s what you want to go for. This is especially true considering the great houseplant comeback of the last few years.

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