With a recent uptick in home sales in the United States, it’s no wonder the remodeling industry is booming. Research from Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies reveals that stateside remodeling costs are likely to hit $250 billion by 2025. And while it’s nice to imagine that moving into a new home means you’re inheriting brand-new appliances, paint colors that suit your taste, and other stylish upgrades, that’s not always the case. In fact, many homeowners find that they’re saddled with the questionable decorating choices of the people who lived there before them, and many others just get used to their dated décor.
1. Popcorn ceilings
Popcorn ceilings were, regrettably, once in style. Unfortunately, today, they’re just as ugly—and hard to clean or paint— as they were 30 years ago, but a lot more dated looking.
“You have to feel sad for anyone with popcorn ceilings,” says New York-based interior decorator Denise Gianna. “Any highly textured element adds shadows and, especially on a ceiling, this ends up looking dark and low. Avoid popcorn if you can—but if you can’t, it’s easy enough and worth the cost to rectify with a good professional by scraping and skim coating the ceiling or, if the height of the room is sufficient, by covering it with one quarter or half-inch sheetrock.”
2. Wood paneling
Back in the 1960s and ‘70s, wood paneling was the hottest home design accent out there, adorning everything from recreation rooms to personal libraries to “man caves.” However, today, wood paneling is simply a sign that your house hasn’t been remodeled in decades.
“Fake, plasticky wood panelling has been out of style since the Brady Bunch was still seen in prime-time. Genuine wood paneling is lovely but really only appropriate in formal, masculine settings such as libraries, offices and court rooms. So, unless you have a serious commitment to a genuine 70s vibe or want to intimidate your family and friends, avoid or remove the wood paneling,” says Gianna. “A viable wood or wood composite option is barn board or wide board, painted or stained in pale, natural colors and applied horizontally or vertically depending on the style you want to evoke.”
