If you want to update your home or make sure it’s attractive to sell on today’s market, it all starts with knowing if your home is stuck in the ‘90s and how to fix it. If your home feels like a time capsule, your listing might stay up for a while or receive a lower price than you want. Preparing your house ensures it requires little to no maintenance before it is move-in ready, and — if you are not selling — you will get to enjoy the benefits of a more modern home yourself.
Evaluate your residence for the following five signs of a ’90s throwback and learn how to modernize your space.
1. Popcorn Ceilings
One of the biggest signs that your home needs an update is popcorn ceilings. From the 1930s to the 1990s, stucco ceilings — or popcorn ceilings — were popular. However, these ceilings no longer appeal to today’s competitive market. The bumpy texture can be easily fixed with a smooth coat. While you can remove popcorn ceilings yourself, hiring a professional to inspect them for toxins is best. This easy reboot will make your home look more modern.
2. Brass Fixtures and Hardware
Fixing hardware is one of the more manageable tasks to complete because all you have to do is swap out the outdated hardware for new parts. One of the most frequently used fixture materials from the 1990s was brass. While brass items worked then, they are no longer favored. For an easy fix, consider swapping out your brass knobs for modern matte black knobs. This change will give your kitchen or bathroom an immediate refresh.
3. Lack of Smart Home Technology
Updating your home for a more modern appearance doesn’t stop with furniture or interior updates — smart technology integration plays a vital role in appealing to a seller’s market. By 2032, the market value of smart homes may reach $630 billion, and innovative garage door technology will likely be a crucial part of this change.
An updated smart garage door opener appeals to many buyers and can help you eliminate loud noises that set your home back a few years. Additionally, the less bulky hardware helps clear up previously crowded areas to appeal to a more modern, open floor plan.
You should seek affordable and efficient ways to make your home more convenient and stand out in a competitive market. Including smart technology offers more space in your home to visualize new designs because you can operate your tech with just a click of a button from your phone.
4. Beige Exterior Paint and Siding
Updating your home from the ‘90s includes the exterior as well. Doing updates outside gives you a chance to get creative with the exterior color of your home. Consider modernizing beige or rusty red hues that cover the brick or siding. To achieve that modern glow, you can transform your home with a classic white or striking dark shade. A few changes here can boost your home’s curb appeal.
5. Wall-to-Wall Carpeting in Main Living Areas
While there are many updates you can make to your home to give it a more modern look, some stylistic changes need to be made for health-related reasons. A common floor design in the ‘90s included carpet — not just little sections but carpeting everywhere. While this look is outdated, excessive carpets and rugs can also cause potential health risks.
Carpets can trap bacteria, dust mites, pet dander, cockroach allergens, mold spores, particle pollution and dirt that can negatively affect indoor air quality. If you wish to have some form of carpet on your floors, consider switching to hardwood flooring with intentionally placed rugs. This will be a safer and more modern look.
6. Floral or Busy Wallpaper
Excessively patterned or floral wallpaper is another common sign that your home is stuck in the ‘90s. Choosing a simple neutral color for wall paint will allow your home to shine. Patterns and floral wallpaper can create a busy look that detracts from your home’s potential higher value. They make it difficult for buyers to envision their own items and style in the space, and they give you less flexibility in changing your interior aesthetic.
Fortunately, there are simple solutions to fix your walls yourself. You can apply heat with a hairdryer to help loosen the adhesive. Once you’re done repainting your new walls, feel free to set out a flower arrangement to add a natural element.
The Value of Modernizing
Before you decide to sell your home, take some time to refresh it to ensure you get what your home deserves. While the change can feel overwhelming, there are easy steps to make a modern refresh a fun process that will appeal to a higher home listing price and give your space a rejuvenating update.
