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Original poster

Does your house just look dated

112 replies

Wavymess · 04/05/2021 20:37

A few years after you moved in?

I’m just about to complete on a sale of a house that needs a full renovation. It’s my first time doing this and the whole house is going to be decorated all at once.

Styles come in and out, all grey is out in favour of all dark bold colours
And with regards to building and layouts an extension with an open plan kitchen/diner/lounge space and bifold doors is super popular right now, but will it be when I come to sell again

How do you stop your house being dated
Without having to just redo the entire house every 2 years?

OP posts:
MrsRLynde · 04/05/2021 20:43

What sort of house OP, from what era?

Didicat · 04/05/2021 20:47

Make it what your family needs/wants of it is to be your home. If you are doing it to flip and make money follow the trends.

Depends on how long you plan to live there?

Chicchicchicchiclana · 04/05/2021 20:49

Yes, probably dated but I don't have the money or inclination to update everything every couple of years - so it doesn't keep me awake at night.

Sleepingdogs12 · 04/05/2021 20:51

The best way is to avoid the obvious trends and go for something more classic and throw a few trendy accessories in if you want. But really you should do what you like yourself , and do the house in a way for your own comfort.

Cheesypea · 04/05/2021 20:52

I've been watching 20 year old episodes of the house dr. If it doesn't look dated then it's a classic.
I also think the mid 20th century modern look doesn't go out of style.

Gladimnotcampinginthisweather · 04/05/2021 20:54

I don't think you can really. We moved four years ago and did the bathrooms in what was a very contemporary style, and they do look a bit dated already. However we did them how we like them so we won't be redecorating just for the sake of it.
Our previous house had had the kitchen and bathrooms done eight years before we moved but someone still bought it, and as far as I know they haven't changed it.
The problem is that to some extent you are limited by what is available.

RolloTomassi · 04/05/2021 20:59

@Cheesypea ahh where are the episodes?? I used to LOVE the Californian real estate agent Ann Maurice Grin

Fitforforty · 04/05/2021 20:59

@Cheesypea where are these old episodes of the house doctor?

OP it depends if you want your house to be a carbon copy of everyone else. If you are going to be painting again soon then I wouldn’t paint the ceiling black as seems to be fashionable now.

minniemomo · 04/05/2021 21:00

Just decorate how you like it. It doesn't matter if it's "dated" or not if it's your style.

Keepitonthedownlow · 04/05/2021 21:01

I would binge the hell out of old house doctors !!

Fairystory · 04/05/2021 21:03

House Doctor is on Channel 5 at lunchtimes. It's interesting that there is no grey in her houses - the programme was made before the grey era!

torquewench · 04/05/2021 21:04

@Cheesypea

I've been watching 20 year old episodes of the house dr. If it doesn't look dated then it's a classic. I also think the mid 20th century modern look doesn't go out of style.
I saw some from 2002 yesterday. Everything looked so dated! And someone was painting internal red brickwork with watered down emulsion 🤷🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️
BeenAsFarAsMercyAndGrand · 04/05/2021 21:05

Choose classic neutral colours that you like, not what's on trend. Then add furniture in colours that go with those neutrals and that you like, not what's on trend.

Basically, steer clear of anything that's an obvious trend, because it's trends that date.

Standrewsschool · 04/05/2021 21:06

Probably, but it’s my home.

SappysCurry · 04/05/2021 21:07

My kitchen is from the 80’s...it hasn’t yet attained that ‘mid century modern’ / call the midwife status’ yet I’m hoping to be gone before that happens, it is in the dated category definitely
But it’s wearing well and is very clean

🍒

Cheesypea · 04/05/2021 21:08

Yes channel 5. That corstic cow knew a thing or two. One of her tips is to use a favourite object as a starting point for your colour palate. Also look at the things you really like to work out what your style is.

SpringtimeSummertime · 04/05/2021 21:09

Dark green is back! As is dusky pink and sage! I shouldn’t have bothered decorating the house I bought in 2002 as every room would be on trend now.
Just wait long enough and it’s right back in fashion!

Iamthewombat · 04/05/2021 21:10

Nothing sensible to add other than THANK YOU for telling me where I can watch House Doctor repeats!

BeenAsFarAsMercyAndGrand · 04/05/2021 21:12

@Cheesypea

Yes channel 5. That corstic cow knew a thing or two. One of her tips is to use a favourite object as a starting point for your colour palate. Also look at the things you really like to work out what your style is.
The favourite object thing is a good tip. My living room is planned around a sofa and a set of curtains that I bought with me from my last house, and absolutely love.

The sofa and curtains aren't the same colour, and werent even in the same room in my last house, but with them as the basis I was able to tie them together using the other stuff (walls, carpet, lights etc.) and make it really nice.

Wishingwell75 · 04/05/2021 21:18

She was so harsh though! Ann Maurice I mean.
Plus the houses did look awful before she came in and bossed the owners around. I think there is a massive difference now - in that people even before last year were more into interior design. Probably did start with all these TV shows and of course social bloody media! I have read that interiors are now going the way of fast fashion as in the turnover of trends. You just have to choose what you love.

minipie · 04/05/2021 21:19

Layout: do what suits you and your family. Chances are it will suit some others too.

Decor: keep big purchases like flooring and bathroom fittings and tiles pretty neutral. You or your buyer can easily change paint and accessories.

In all honesty though, no house will look bang on trend unless it was done up in the past 3/4 years or so. That’s ok, most buyers don’t expect a house to be totally up to date.

NotMeNoNo · 04/05/2021 21:24

Don't follow fashion and you won't be out of it. Also try to be sympathetic to the style/age of the house.
I think the best houses are a bit minimal/Scandi but with plenty of personality/art and with good strong design and proportions.

Whereas fashion just flips from one colour scheme to another to make sure you will be shopping constantly.

MirandaMarple · 04/05/2021 21:24

It's 280 years out of date!

I like traditional, simple styles though, so even though I have just moved from a 1930s semi to this old cottage all my furniture has fitted in with it.

Some things I know for sure my friends and family hate/find dated but I like them.

There is nothing I would/can do to modernise it or it would lose its charm.

user1471538283 · 04/05/2021 21:43

I think it's about fitting it in with the period of your house. I'm electic but I like things to be minimal and elegant. Things will always date.

I think open plan is here to stay. My most favourite house was open plan 20 years ago. I doubt bi fold doors will stay cool though.

I think you just go with what you like

Musmerian · 04/05/2021 21:44

I just choose things I love and don’t deliberately follow trends. Once I’ve got something how I like it I don’t have the desire to mess with it. I’m super fussy though and spend ages choosing paint colours and furniture. My books and art and objects I love make it mine. I hate all the tv/ Instagram inspired stuff.

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