22 Staple Living Rooms Decor Items That Are Aging Your Home

Most homes have some sort of living room in them. It's the spot where people can hang out with guests, family, and friends. And just like every other space, you can't forget to decorate it. However, did you know that there are some pieces that are so outdated that they are creating an eyesore in your haven? From lace doilies to fast furniture, here are 22 staple living room decor items that are aging your home.

Before delving into the nitty-gritty, you should have a basic grasp of what is trending in living room decor. One of the most crucial goals of living rooms these days is to create a space that is ultimately a relaxing place that reflects you and your household. With that in mind, there is a drive to mix contemporary and modern pieces to create personality in the space. Sustainability is also a growing trend, with an increasing number of individuals incorporating furniture crafted from organic materials, indoor plants, and energy-efficient lighting sources. Layering lights, paint, and other features creates texture and depth that is also more visually appealing than a formal-looking area. And while maximalism is in style, minimalist technology is taking over. Also, remember that just because these pieces are outdated, it doesn't mean that you should toss them into the landfill. Instead, stay eco-friendly by donating the items or even posting in a neighborhood chat that you have some items up for grabs.

While some may love those 'Family', 'Live, Laugh, Love', and 'Blessed' signs, they are art decor that is now out of style. These signs are also a popular decor item that designer Bobby Berk can't stand seeing in homes, so it's a no-brainer that they need to be tossed. Instead, opt for wall art that has sentimental or personal value to you. For example, replace a family sign with a beautifully framed family portrait. Some signs can even be repurposed for another project; all it takes is some paint and a bit of creativity.

A surefire way to make your living room scream old-fashioned is by having lace doilies out on your tables. Replacements for these knitted fabrics are table runners, a decorative bowl, or a plate. Just because it's outdated doesn't mean you should toss it, though. Instead, you can repurpose your old vintage doilies around the house as hanging decor, stencils for furniture, and for other decorative projects. If the doily has sentimental value, store it in a dry area with acid-free tissue paper or display it in a shadow box with a picture of the person who made it.

While almost acting like a security blanket for many homes, those overstuffed recliners have now faded out of style. In some cases, these older models rely too heavily on manual mechanisms, whereas we're now focused on smart integrations, such as remotes, massage capabilities, and automated movement. But you don't have to give up your love for these comfy seats as furniture stores have many modern versions that won't take up as much space in your living room. Plus, they are available in a variety of colors, materials, and styles.

Those heavy drapes with tassels you may have loved years ago are a window treatment that is now dating your home. While they may have exuded opulence and elegance decades ago, now they are overwhelming a space. Instead, bring some more natural light into the space with lighter, more breathable curtains, such as sheer, cotton, or linen options. You can even install modern window treatments, like motorized shades. If you do enjoy drapes, go for a custom-made drape that forgoes tassels and suits your aesthetic.

At some point, a large coffee table was essential, but now these bulky pieces are taking up too much space in modern homes. Unless you have a large living room, these tables end up occupying valuable space that could be used for additional seating or a visual break. Previously, these tables were used to hold various items, like decor, remotes, candles, and books. But these days, it should be kept to a minimum. If your old, large version is still in good shape, feel free to donate, sell, or even place it in a different room.

Bringing nature indoors is all the rage right now, but those obviously fake plants are absolutely not. Instead, they end up looking cheap, showing off shiny, perfect details, and collecting dust. Plus, the environmental impacts raise concerns, especially because plastic doesn't degrade easily. Instead, there are many easy indoor options that require minimal care, including snake plants, spider plants, and peace lilies. However, if you love plants but don't have a green thumb at all, you can use a gorgeous planter as a way to give fake plants a luxury upgrade.

Stop filling your home with loads of mid-century items when a solid few will do the trick. For years, it was a trending style full of clean lines, geometric shapes, and rich earth tones, but just like cookie-cutter homes, it began to lose its appeal. So while we appreciate its clean, minimalist look, we can add some pizzazz to the pieces by layering other decorative items to add texture and depth. Then some of the extra mid-century pieces can be distributed to other parts of your home or even used for seasonal looks.

Consistency is nice in a space, but those matching furniture sets scream old-school, especially now that mixing old and new furniture is a fashionable trend. Luckily, this look can be easily fixed by moving some of the matching pieces throughout your home and then adding other cool and distinctively different pieces to replace one. Sometimes, an eye-catching armchair paired with one of your original couches can take your space to new heights.

Get rid of those vertical blinds if you want a more contemporary home. Typically, they are used for large windows and sliding doors, since these windows are usually too large for most normal window treatments. However, besides aesthetic issues, there are many reasons people are tossing them, including poor energy efficiency, slat issues, inadequate insulation, noise, and a dusty appearance. But don't worry because motorized window treatments, macrame curtains, and Roman shades are modern alternatives for outdated vertical blinds.

Back in the day, homes were all about themed trends like nautical, farmhouse, and rustic, but these days, it is showing how old your decor tastes really are. When you categorize the look, the space feels forced, not personal, not truly like a home. Excessive themed items can even make an area feel cluttered because there is no specific visual interest. Instead, you should choose items that tell your story. If you want to include themed items, make it a curated collection that you strategically put together and display in a curio cabinet or a shelving unit.

This may be a little controversial, but gallery walls, especially those that lack a consistent narrative, are making their way out the door. Instead of covering a wall with multiple frames, choose a large piece of art to go in the space. If you love this look, then you need to be strategic in what you choose to display, creating a cohesive story or look that actually makes sense in your home. Some tips to remember include keeping it simple, varying the scale, and integrating lighting.

One way to show the age of your house is those brass items and fixtures still hanging around, especially when they are tarnished or unpolished. What's great about this is that it doesn't require as much work as you thought; you can spray them a different metallic color or easily pop them off, adding other chrome or nickel knobs and fixtures to go with the room, instead. 

Those bookshelves are nice to hold items, but making them cluttered is what is aging your home. While maximalism is in, that doesn't mean you should just shove everything on these shelves, not giving the eye some breathing room. You can keep the bookshelves, but become more strategic about what you place on them. Remove all the items that don't make sense in the space, and be more strict about what you put on the shelves, even skipping some to keep some space between items on the shelves.

While a pillow or two isn't bad on your couch, those large ones are a complete eyesore now. Plus, they take up too much space and just end up on the floor when you actually need to use your couch or armchair. Instead of having large throw pillows, keep it to a couple of smaller versions and a blanket to add more cozy vibes to the area. You also don't have to toss the pillow out when there are many different ways you can repurpose them, or you can even give them another life by donating.

Fast furniture is home decor that people are avoiding, and for good reason. Just like fast fashion, these pieces are typically made quickly with lower-quality materials and craftsmanship, which causes them to break apart easily and look cheap. While these pieces are affordable, the reduced cost makes no difference if you find yourself having to replace them more frequently than you would have to with a durable piece made from wood or leather. You can save money by purchasing a secondhand, quality find. Just make sure to properly inspect and clean it before adding it to your home.

Mood lighting and nice scents are great to have, but excessive amounts of candles and candle holders should be avoided. Having multiple lit candles, especially around flammable items, increases the potential of a fire. But to make matters worse, some scented candles release volatile organic compounds into the air, which can harm your health or pose risks for people with pre-existing respiratory conditions. In some cases, these strongly scented lights can also create headaches for users. Instead of multiple candles, consider replacing them with electric candles or even essential oil diffusers as safer and more modern alternatives.

While living rooms are an area where we entertain our guests, having a formal look definitely dates your home and doesn't truly feel as inviting as you think. Originally, this room was a formal area where you would take guests, showcasing your finest furniture to create an aesthetically pleasing spot. However, through the years, these sitting rooms began to merge with family rooms, especially in newer homes that don't have multiple living spaces. Therefore, in your living room, discard the stiff pieces that don't actually show your personality.

When we had loads of DVDs, CDs, and entertainment appliances, massive entertainment centers made sense. However, with everything being condensed to wall-mounted smart TVs or sleek gaming consoles, there is no point in having this bulky piece of furniture anymore. Plus, it reveals the age of the entertainment center when your updated television doesn't fit inside the TV opening. Instead, stick to sleek options that make sense for your entertainment zone. If it is a built-in center, you can give it an upgrade by strategically decorating it to hold other items in the space.

For a while, Tuscan-inspired decor filled our living rooms, but now we're bidding it farewell. In the early 2000s, many homes had this dark and moody living style, focusing on heavier materials and faux decor items. But now we are in the age of a warmer and welcoming space; however, you don't have to ditch all the Tuscan-themed pieces. Instead, stick to a few, mixing them with other modern and vintage pieces that speak to your character.

While you may want to make a strong impression with a funky print, refrain from integrating animal print rugs. For years, many people have loved this look due to its statement quality; however, it is one of the most challenging prints to properly style, as it can easily clash with other items. Plus, in a world where sustainability and an eco-friendly approach are paramount, an animal print mat conveys a mentality that prioritizes hunting and trophy collection. If you do love animal print, use it sparingly in other parts of the room.

Just like word art, those vinyl decals stuck on your walls need to go. While they added interest in a space, over the years, you'll find that your decals fade, bleed into the paint, pucker, and shrink. Plus, the ones that have been on your walls for years can be hard to take off, ultimately causing damage and stains on the surface. Remove wall decals with little to no wall damage by using heat to soften the piece before gently pulling it off. Then use WD-40 to remove any sticky residue.

As technology continues to advance and we keep adding more to our homes, those visible boxes and cords are making our house look like it is stuck in the past. First, remove any items that you no longer use, such as extra remotes, DVD players, and old sound systems. From there, take the cords and hide them under a rug or behind furniture. You can even attach them to your baseboards, subtly hiding them away from plain sight. Some professional companies, like Best Buy, can even conceal the wires for you at an additional cost.