15 Home Interior Eyesores To Get Rid Of For A More Modern Look

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According to Merriam-Webster, an eyesore is "something offensive to view." When it comes to homes, even if yours is dolled up in the latest trend, if it's holding onto lingering builder-grade designs and outdated elements, it really doesn't matter which trend your home is riding — it has eyesores. Maybe you don't even recognize them as eyesores because you've become used to their quiet presence hovering in the background. These small design choices can not only make your home harder to sell, but they can also distract from the personality you've worked to achieve. In most cases, it doesn't mean demolishing your house or spending your entire savings to give it a complete makeover. There are affordable ways to rid your home of unwanted eyesores and bring a modern edge to your space.

From matchy-matchy furniture to thermostats that stick out like a sore thumb, conspicuous eyesores clutter the aesthetic of your home and ruin the mood you're trying to set. Whether you're renting or staying put in your forever home, when you want to add a modern look, there are simple ways to do it. Eliminating eyesores that are way past their shelf life can instantly improve the overall feel. For example, you can remove builder-grade air vent covers for decorative ones and do away with outdated dome-shaped light fixtures for ones with modern silhouettes. Once you've identified the home interior eyesores that are disrupting the flow of the modern aesthetic you're chasing, you can get rid of them for good.

Matchy-matchy furniture that has the same fabric, finish, or style is an eyesore because it makes a room look overdone, flat, and lacking in variety. Modern homes are layered in depth with furniture that's made from different materials, has a variety of shapes, and even comes from more than one era. Rather than shopping at a mass-produced furniture store, consider vintage pieces that come with their own story. These curated additions bring timeless character rather than some fleeting trend.

Wall-mounted TVs are an instant eyesore because they pull the focus away from the rest of the room. Despite successfully hiding visible cords inside the wall, the hanging screen looks anything but elevated. One way to create a fancier look is to install wall panels behind the TV as an aesthetic backdrop. With the right color and design, your wall-mounted TV can almost disappear into its dynamic surrounds.

When you leave things like blenders, coffee makers, air fryers, toasters, and other everyday appliances sitting out on your countertop, you're creating a needless eyesore in your kitchen. Modern kitchens focus on keeping things clean, tidy, and functional, so store away those appliances in a convenient, out-of-the-way location. If you're having a hard time clearing the clutter, Martha Stewart has some tips for keeping your countertops organized.

Basic, builder-grade dome lights are one of the fastest ways to date a space. Their bulky silhouette and cloudy glass scream 2000s decor, making the ceiling feel heavy and just bland. Modern light fixtures, like unique artisanal mounts, vintage designs, or lights with colorful lamp shades, can replace these outdated looks with trendy fixtures that work with your style rather than fighting against it.

Despite being practical, wall-to-wall carpet can look dated, especially when it covers your stairs. This '90s aesthetic is often the first thing people notice when they walk into your home. Swapping the carpet for a stair runner rug or a more elevated option can enhance the look of your entryway. If ripping out the carpet isn't in the budget, there are other ways to distract from it, like creating a gallery wall or adding wallpaper to the empty wall space.

While air vents are a necessary feature, they aren't always placed in the most inconspicuous areas of your home. Whether on the floor, the ceiling, or standing out on a wall, those white grills are pretty ugly and stick out like a sore thumb. The good news is you're not stuck with them, thanks to decorative grills. They come in a slew of pretty finishes and styles that do away with those boring eyesores for good. 

Whether painted or wallpapered, having one accent wall in your bedroom is outdated. If you love a certain pattern or color, why not cover all the walls? Color-drenching is one way you can make the whole space feel cozier. But, if you have your heart set on an accent, then consider painting the ceiling with a fun pop of color or going for a customized work of art with hand-painted murals. Your bedroom will love you for it.

They may be small, but there's nothing that distracts from a great design more than mismatched or outdated outlet covers. Whether they've yellowed because of age or they clash with your overall aesthetic, replacing your outlet covers with something more streamlined makes the entire space feel more modern. You can find luxe options at Anthropologie or more affordable varieties from the Henne Bery store on Amazon. They come in multiple finishes and styles that add a whopping boost to your home decor.

It seems like just a few years ago when sliding barn doors were totally on point. Although this rustic look peaked in popularity well into the 2010s, today, it is completely outdated and a lingering eyesore. Part of what contributed to their decline was that they were used in impractical ways. With so many trendy alternatives that can refresh your space, it's time to ditch these rustic relics for doors that offer the same space-saving silhouette.

Stained and dirty-looking grout can immediately ruin any area. These discolored lines make floors, backsplashes, and showers look old and neglected, regardless of how the rest of the space looks. There are plenty of DIY fixes to get rid of these unsightly stains. By using a toothbrush or other scrubbing tool and mixing two-parts baking soda and one-part hydrogen peroxide, you can clean that grout and add a fresher vibe to any room that needs it. 

Kitties are adorable, but their litter boxes are gross and not anything you want sitting out. No matter how often you clean it or where you put it, a litter box is an eyesore. Cat lovers in modern homes are turning to discreet solutions that don't interrupt the clean lines of their decor with kitty litter furniture. Some are made to look like living room cabinets, while others double as end tables.

Old laminate countertops aren't just an eyesore; they're a telltale sign of an outdated kitchen. But there's a fix that can fling your kitchen out of the distant past — new and improved laminate countertop designs. Since their popularity peaked in the '70s, laminate countertops have come a long way, thanks to technology. The budget-friendly material comes in matte or glossy finishes that look like marble, concrete, or even wood grain, making it a guilt-free glow up for your space. 

It's usually pretty easy to ignore a thermostat taking up space on your wall, but if it's outdated, that gets harder. Even though technology has made smart thermostats easier to look at and more convenient, not everyone wants to see one hanging near their artwork or family portrait. To solve the eyesore problem, you can easily DIY a frame to go around it that helps your thermostat blend in, regardless of whether it's an old-fashioned one or the latest model. Your walls will look cleaner and more thoughtfully designed.

Nothing can bring down the aesthetics of a room faster than overdoing a decor theme. Besides the fact that you'll likely get tired of looking at it really fast, it's an eyesore that makes it harder to change things up later. Plus, there are other ways to bring your favorite theme to life, like through hints of texture, color, and pieces that give a nod to the theme, without going overboard.

Popcorn ceilings were once used to disguise imperfections, but today, they are an eyesore for those who want to have a modern look in their home design. Their rough, obtrusive texture makes the whole space feel heavy and outdated. While not everyone can afford to replace their popcorn ceilings, there are ways to conceal them. HGTV's Property Brothers have a DIY solution, which consists of an inexpensive method known as skim coating that leaves you with a flatter ceiling.