Design is personal, and your home is a reflection of your personal style aesthetic. But occasionally, we all need to look around and take stock of the space we’ve created. Does it feel outdated? Does it seem cluttered? Or does a certain color or piece no longer speak to your design preferences? Every home needs an occasional once-over with a critical eye to remain feeling fresh and inviting.
There's no guilt here because our likes and home styles change, like any other type of fashion. But if you’re wondering what might need to go away in your home, we had top designers weigh in on what makes a home look cheap or dated. Their answers may surprise you!
From paint colors and lighting to wall treatments and bedding sets, we’ll explain why each of these key elements could be making your home look less than stellar. We’ve also included suggestions for what to do to refresh and de-junk your space.
Surprisingly, what's making your home look cheap isn't always about how expensive items are. It's actually about how you pair and combine key design elements to create a space that’s personal, warm, and inviting. The bottom line is that every home needs a refresh from time to time.
Here’s what can make a home look cheap, according to designers:
1
Clutter and More Clutter
“Little keepsakes and trinkets collected over the years can express the history of a home and the family who lives there, but here’s the trick: Less is more,” says Kerrie Kelly of Kerrie Kelly Design. “Too many knickknacks clutter a room and make it feel dated. Choose just a few meaningful pieces that speak to your personality and style.” It’s also fine to store items and rotate them in and out occasionally if you can’t bear to part with them.
2
Bland Substitutes
“I love a bargain as much as the next gal, but in order to keep my house from looking like a superstore, I employ a few tricks of the trade,” says Bethany Adams of Bethany Adams Interiors. “'Less’ is better than ‘bad.’ If you don’t have the budget for silk draperies, for example, don’t hang up cheap polyester panels. Leave your windows bare until you can save up for the real thing. Put the money into your drapery fund instead."
3
Outdated Lighting
We love a beautiful piece of antique or vintage furnishings, but some older light fixtures can make your space look dated instead of chic.
“Old, dull fixtures really drag down your interior’s vibe,” says Kelly. “It’s time to let go of those dusty chandeliers or those bright brass sconces from the '90s.” Update with understated, layered lighting that illuminates your space and creates mood and ambiance.
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4
Furniture Sets
“While furniture sets are certainly an efficient way to furnish a space, it often leads to a room feeling flat,” says Audrey Scheck of Audrey Scheck Design. “Instead, opt for mixing wood tones and finishes to add visual interest.”
We also love to add antique or vintage furniture alongside newer pieces for a collected feel.
5
Too Many Colors
Color is lovely, but a hodgepodge of many different colors in a room or bold colors without balance can be off-putting. “I’m known for my colorful interiors, but I can tell you firsthand that going color crazy without the right budget or designer is a mistake,” says Adams.
While you don't have to paint every wall white, your color story should feel balanced and cohesive. Need some extra help? Here's how to pick the right paint color for any room, according to designers.
6
Out-of-Scale Design
Scale is important when furnishing a room in order to create balance. “The mistake I see most often is selecting a rug that is too small for the space,” says Scheck. “Utilizing a larger rug makes the room feel more spacious, and it will visually ground the space.”
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7
Popcorn Ceilings
No, thank you. Once all the rage, they’ve long overstayed their welcome. Smooth, flat ceilings are the way to go, creating a more contemporary and polished appearance, says Kelly.
8
Mass-Produced Art
There’s nothing wrong with it, unless it’s the only type of art you use. “Mixing in original art will infuse more character and charm to your home,” says Scheck. “You can find affordable, unique pieces by visiting your local antique or flea market of by purchasing from small businesses.”
Read more: How to Shop at Art Galleries the Right Way
9
Harsh Lighting
“Good lighting makes everything better,” says Adams. “Whether the Kelvin rating is too high, or there’s too much light overall, harsh light makes a space look cheap.”
2700K is the ideal level for lighting, so swap out your bulbs or add a dimmer switch on lights, and you’ll up the luxe factor by 1000 percent.
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10
Matchy-Matchy Bedding
Mixing and matching materials can breathe life into a room. “It creates a more eclectic and personalized look than the predictable matchy-matchy feel,” says Kelly.
Go ahead and combine different colors and textures to create a bedding ensemble that’s all yours, not something that came from a bed-in-a-box set.
11
Word Sayings
Kristin Marino of KozyKasa says these are definitely an item that make your home look cheap. Ditto for artwork gallery “sets,” which look contrived and unnatural. Instead, find unique art or combine pieces that speak to your personal style, provide emphasis and give the eye a place to settle.
