Certain home features may make your space look completely outdated and give visitors the wrong impression (and may not fully represent your personal aesthetic, either).
The living room, a prime gathering space in today’s home, is one space that you will want to ensure looks current. If it contains any of the below elements, which designers cite as outdated, it may be time for a bit of redesigning.
Oversized Fireplace Mantels
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Extremely sizable fireplace mantels are a thing of the past, Susie Novak, the founder of Susie Novak Interiors, says. Most people today will want to install a TV in the living room and over the mantel is the most logistical place to hang a screen. Therefore, a slimmer and shorter mantel is key, she explains.
If you wish to install a mantel simply for the look, go for it—many people today are happy to incorporate decorative fireplaces into their homes, even if they’re nonworking. Whether it’s adding some candles or some of your favorite artwork, you can easily bring some personality into this space.
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Super Expensive Rugs
Gone are the days of treating your living room as an ultra-formal space that you rarely use, and part of that means skipping pricey rugs when furnishing this area of the home, Novak states.
“Go for an affordable option if it means you will use your living room more because you’re afraid to walk on an expensive rug,” she says.
This piece of advice is especially key if kids and pets spend a substantial amount of time in the living room or if you entertain often. No one wants to worry about wine spills, pet hair, and the like getting caught in the rug and being difficult to remove.
Look for rugs that are durable and easy to clean—there are many stylish washable options on the markets these days that can be great for active families.
Furniture Sets
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Designers will tell you time and time again to go ahead and skip the matching furniture sets that were popular in the past in favor of a more eclectic compilation of furniture. Paige Dick, the founder of Paige Designs, explains how mixing and matching pieces add more personality.
Parul Ghei, the co-founder of Studio Jai, agrees.
“Today’s spaces are increasingly reflecting personal style and individuality, rather than being filled with cookie-cutter pieces like identical side tables and coffee tables,” she says.
Instead, she encourages people to take the opportunity to weave in a variety of textures and materials into their space. The same goes with regard to seating, Ghei adds. The three-piece sofa can often be too predictable and will not contribute to a contemporary look.
“The trend now is to have coordinated pieces that vary in style—creating a curated, collected look rather than just the convenience of picking everything up at once,” Ghei says.
Even if it takes some time to furnish your entire room, that is a better route to take than buying everything from a singular big box store on a given day. Get creative and visit vintage retailers, boutique shops, and more to put together a unique combination of pieces that reflect your style.
Carpet
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Wall-to-wall carpet in the living room is going to make your space look dated, Dick adds, noting that it simply isn’t all that functional of a choice, either.
“Carpets often show wear quickly and are tough to keep clean, especially in high-traffic areas,” she says, noting that she would rather opt for hardwood floors with area rugs placed on top.
If you live in a rental space and cannot address the carpeting, note that you can work to disguise it a bit by laying down an area rug overtop. The rug is something that you can later on bring to your next space, making it a winning solution in more ways than one.
