{"id":7021,"date":"2025-08-20T11:52:37","date_gmt":"2025-08-20T18:52:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.realtyexecutives.com\/blog\/?p=7021"},"modified":"2025-08-12T12:00:37","modified_gmt":"2025-08-12T19:00:37","slug":"6-telltale-signs-your-home-is-stuck-in-the-90s","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.realtyexecutives.com\/blog\/6-telltale-signs-your-home-is-stuck-in-the-90s","title":{"rendered":"6 Telltale Signs Your Home Is Stuck in the \u201890s"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.realtyexecutives.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Blog-Images-2025-08-12T115023.169.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"450\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.realtyexecutives.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Blog-Images-2025-08-12T115023.169.png\" alt=\"A home that is stuck in the '90s with a dated living room.\" class=\"wp-image-7022\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.realtyexecutives.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Blog-Images-2025-08-12T115023.169.png 450w, https:\/\/www.realtyexecutives.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Blog-Images-2025-08-12T115023.169-300x200.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>If you want to update your home or make sure it\u2019s attractive to sell on today\u2019s market, it all starts with knowing if your home is stuck in the \u201890s 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 \u2014 if you are not selling \u2014 you will get to enjoy the benefits of a more modern home yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<p>Evaluate your residence for the following five signs of a &#8217;90s throwback and learn how to modernize your space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a><strong>1. Popcorn Ceilings<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the biggest signs that your home needs an update is popcorn ceilings. From the 1930s to the 1990s, stucco ceilings \u2014 or popcorn ceilings \u2014 were popular. However, these ceilings no longer appeal to today\u2019s competitive market. The bumpy texture can be easily fixed with a smooth coat. While <a href=\"https:\/\/renovated.com\/add-value-to-your-home\/\">you can remove popcorn ceilings yourself<\/a>, hiring a professional to inspect them for toxins is best. This easy reboot will make your home look more modern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a><strong>2. Brass Fixtures and Hardware<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a><strong>3. Lack of Smart Home Technology<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Updating your home for a more modern appearance doesn\u2019t stop with furniture or interior updates \u2014 smart technology integration plays a vital role in appealing to a seller\u2019s market. By 2032, the market value of<a href=\"https:\/\/www.clopaydoor.com\/blog\/post\/blog\/2025\/03\/12\/garage-door-improvements-5-ways-to-upgrade-your-home-in-2025\"> <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clopaydoor.com\/blog\/post\/blog\/2025\/03\/12\/garage-door-improvements-5-ways-to-upgrade-your-home-in-2025\">smart homes may reach $630 billion<\/a>, and innovative garage door technology will likely be a crucial part of this change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You should seek affordable and efficient ways to make your home more convenient and stand out in a competitive market. Including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.realtyexecutives.com\/blog\/smart-homes-marketing-value-beyond-features\">smart technology<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. Beige Exterior Paint and Siding<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Updating your home from the \u201890s 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\u2019s curb appeal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a><strong>5. Wall-to-Wall Carpeting in Main Living Areas<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>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 \u201890s included carpet \u2014 not just little sections but carpeting everywhere. While this look is outdated, excessive carpets and rugs can also cause potential health risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Carpets can trap bacteria, dust mites, pet dander, cockroach allergens, mold spores, particle pollution and dirt <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lung.org\/blog\/home-improvement-clean-indoor-air\">that can negatively affect indoor air<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>6. Floral or Busy Wallpaper<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Excessively patterned or floral wallpaper is another common sign that your home is stuck in the \u201890s. 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fortunately, there are simple solutions to fix your walls yourself. You can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhg.com\/how-to-remove-wallpaper-border-6750989\">apply heat with a<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhg.com\/how-to-remove-wallpaper-border-6750989\"> <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhg.com\/how-to-remove-wallpaper-border-6750989\">hairdryer<\/a> to help loosen the adhesive. Once you\u2019re done repainting your new walls, feel free to set out a flower arrangement to add a natural element.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a><strong>The Value of Modernizing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you want to update your home or make sure it\u2019s attractive to sell on today\u2019s market, it all starts with knowing if your home is stuck in the \u201890s 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 &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.realtyexecutives.com\/blog\/6-telltale-signs-your-home-is-stuck-in-the-90s\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">6 Telltale Signs Your Home Is Stuck in the \u201890s<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[774,782,419],"tags":[320,700,59],"yst_prominent_words":[3071,1079,5755,546,1769,1459,2543,1993,6174,1083],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.realtyexecutives.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7021"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.realtyexecutives.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.realtyexecutives.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.realtyexecutives.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.realtyexecutives.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7021"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.realtyexecutives.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7021\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7023,"href":"https:\/\/www.realtyexecutives.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7021\/revisions\/7023"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.realtyexecutives.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7021"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.realtyexecutives.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7021"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.realtyexecutives.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7021"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.realtyexecutives.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=7021"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}