10 Home Decor Choices That Make a Home Look Outdated

Designers reveal the telltale signs that your home is stuck in the past

Mar. 15, 2026 at 7:10pm

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From outdated granite countertops and orange-stained wood to old-fashioned cabinetry and wall-to-wall carpeting, interior designers share the top decor choices that instantly make a home look dated. The article provides tips on how to update these elements and bring your home into the modern era.

Why it matters

As design trends evolve, it's easy for homes to get stuck in the past. This story highlights the specific decor choices that can make a home feel trapped in a bygone era, helping homeowners identify problem areas and make updates to keep their spaces feeling fresh and current.

The details

According to Dallas-based designers Janice Burkhart and Noel Pittman, some of the biggest offenders include: Old World rustic styles with orange/gold tones, granite countertops, tile countertops, antiques that are out of scale with larger modern homes, orange-stained wood, travertine tiles, standard cabinet door overlays, outdated wallpaper patterns, and wall-to-wall carpeting. The experts provide advice on how to update these elements, such as reupholstering furniture, using quartz or soapstone countertops, and refinishing wood with a more modern stain.

  • The article was published on March 15, 2026.

The players

Janice Burkhart

A Dallas, Texas-based interior designer who specializes in helping homeowners update their outdated decor.

Noel Pittman

A Dallas interior designer who advises on how to incorporate antiques and vintage pieces in a modern way.

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What they’re saying

“The Old World looks with things like textured walls with golden tones, drapery that has an orange undertone, and all-brown furniture have got to go.”

— Janice Burkhart, Interior Designer (southernliving.com)

“I do love antiques and vintage, but scale is one thing that can sometimes make an antique look dated. People's houses have gotten subsequently bigger and bigger over the years but a lot of antiques are from when people had smaller homes.”

— Noel Pittman, Interior Designer (southernliving.com)

The takeaway

This article serves as a helpful guide for homeowners looking to update their spaces and avoid outdated design choices. By identifying the specific decor elements that can make a home feel stuck in the past, it empowers readers to make strategic improvements that will keep their homes feeling fresh and modern.