4 Surprising Elements That Give Your Home an Outdated Appearance
Scrolling through home renovation content online can leave you feeling less than thrilled about your own humble abode. As you watch others tear out their old oak cabinets and enclose open floor plans, you might start to worry about your house looking, well, outdated. But in a world where trends are constantly changing, it's tough to know what's considered timeless and what's not.
That's where NeKeia McSwain, principal designer at NeKeia + Co, comes in. According to McSwain, outdated design is less about a home's aesthetic and more about an unwillingness to change. She says that flexibility of design and the courage to adapt your home to how you actually live will keep any space feeling fresh, regardless of the color of your cabinets. Here are four unexpected things that make a house feel dated, along with McSwain's suggestions for timeless alternatives.
7 Outdated Flooring Styles Designers Aren't Using in 2025## Builder-Grade Floor Plans
When building a new home, it's tempting to go with the flow and opt for the same generic floor plan as everyone else. But, McSwain says, if you want a home that truly feels special, you need to make intentional alterations to the floor plan that feel unique, not builder-grade. "A sunken floor or conversation pit is still part of an open floor plan, but it brings intentionality to the space," she says. Developers often design homes based on what's trendy now, not necessarily what's interesting or reflective of buyers' values. If you can "think outside the box" and alter the floor plan to reflect your own unique needs, your home will feel more lively and personal.
8 Easy Builder-Grade Home Upgrades You Can Do Yourself## Layouts That Don't Evolve With You
Homes should reflect our needs, which change over time. If you've got the same furniture layout for years, it's bound to feel stale to both you and your guests. Take some time to consider whether your current layout still meets your needs. "Maybe this is the time of year when you need more sunshine, so you move your couch closer to the window," McSwain says. Perhaps you've gone from married to single and need a guest bed in the living room. Regardless of the reason, being open to change and adapting your home to your current needs will keep it feeling fresh.
48 Living Room Layout Ideas That Make the Most of Your Space## Low Quality Furnishings
Designing for timelessness with low-quality furnishings is a recipe for disaster. Designers of cheaply-made goods don't necessarily prioritize flexibility or durability, which can make it hard to maintain a timeless look year after year. McSwain says that "timelessness should always be paired with quality materials." If you're on a budget, don't worry – you can still find great deals on secondhand furnishings that are well-made and built to last.
How to Decorate a Space You Actually Love Amid Constantly-Changing Home Trends## No Personal Touches
A house without personality is a boring house. If everything you have is brand-new, store-bought, and devoid of any character, your home might as well be a picture in a catalogue. To combat a cookie-cutter look, consider adding signs of life to your space, such as a cat tree or children's art. McSwain also suggests incorporating objects from your ancestral culture to infuse your home with history and personal meaning. "We can design the home of your dreams," McSwain says, "but there has to be some culture embedded in the space for it to become yours." Cultural objects can bring a unique and timeless flavor to your design, helping to combat any "outdated" or "too trendy" accusations.
"I designed a swivel chair that is inspired by black women's braided hair," McSwain says. "To me, that speaks to timeless design because it's a style that has been utilized for centuries." Incorporating pieces with personal meaning and cultural significance can help your home evolve with you over time and ensure that it remains fresh and relevant, no matter what's trending.
- Following NeKeia McSwain's advice, intentional alterations to a generic floor plan can make a house feel unique and special, avoiding a builder-grade look.
- To keep a home feeling fresh, it's important to adapt its layout to accommodate changing needs over time.
- High-quality materials are essential for creating timeless designs, as low-quality furnishings may not be flexible or durable.
- Incorporating personal touches and objects from one's ancestral culture can add character to a home and make it feel more like a reflection of the owner's personality.
- Timeless designs can be found in items with historical significance, such as McSwain's swivel chair inspired by black women's braided hair.
