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40 Mistakes That Are Making Your Home Look Dated
Your home — only more modern looking.
When buying a house or moving into a new rental, it’s easy to focus on the things you don’t like. And no matter how old the home is, there’s a likely chance that you’ll want to switch things up. I’ve shopped around on Amazon and found solutions to the top 40 mistakes that are making your home look dated. Right your style woes with these favorites that shoppers swear by. Your home will thank you — and your guests will be impressed.
1
Mistake: Leaving Your Rooms Dim & Drab
Solution: This Floor Lamp Will Seamlessly Illuminate Any Space
A bright floor lamp is a simple yet effective way to improve any room in your home, and this one has not one, but two lamps attached to this metal base. While the larger shade stands up straight, the smaller side shade has an adjustable gooseneck that allows you to position it wherever you’d like, making it ideal for activities like reading in bed. Plus, it comes with energy-saving LED bulbs that boast a 50,000-hour lifespan.
- Available colors: 3
2
Mistake: Keeping Cluttered Cords Exposed
Solution: This 3-Sided Wall Charger With 9 Ports
A neat and tidy home always looks better than one with cords and wires hanging from every corner. This outlet extender makes it possible by offering enough spots for many of your appliances and lights in five AC outlets, as well as three USB ports, and one USB-C port. The unique three-sided power strip is discrete and modern.
3
Mistake: Your Pillowcases Look Worn Out
Solution: This Soft Satin Pillowcase With A High-End Sheen
Did you know that satin pillowcases can help clear up your skin and smooth your hair? This 100% “softer than silk” satin pillowcase is luxurious yet affordable. Beyond just the cosmetic benefits that come with sleeping on a this gorgeous pillowcase, this one just looks high-end and is a perfect replacement for stale and faded cotton pillowcases. It’s available in two sizes and 11 colors and patterns, each with a hidden zipper to keep your pillow in place.
4
Mistake: Relying On Bulky Knife Blocks
Solution: This Sleek Knife Bar Wrapped In Wood
Clear off your countertops by adding this sleek magnetic knife bar to your cart. Designed from strong stainless steel, it's easy to mount to any wall and offers an alternative to butcher blocks that take up space and look bulky. Plus it’s wrapped in walnut wood so it looks warm and blends with your decor. Use it in the kitchen or in the garage to organize your tools.
5
Mistake: Stashing Spices In A Cabinet Without Order
Solution: A Space-Setting Set Of Magnetic Spice Racks
A fresh and modern kitchen is one that is just as practical as it is beautiful. If your spices are basically thrown onto a cabinet shelf and you struggle to find what you need when you’re cooking, upgrade to this pack of two magnetic spice racks that adhere to fridges or other appliances so that everything is within reach. Each of the black shelves can support up to five pounds and this pick stands out for its near-perfect 4.9-star rating and more than 4,000 reviews.
6
Mistake: A Dark And Drab Home Exterior
Solution: A Six-Pack Of Bright Solar Lights
Give any outdoor space some much needed illumination when the sun goes down with these solar garden lights. These stake lights charge via the sunlight and then automatically turn on once nighttime comes — they’ll turn off again once it’s daytime again. Plus, these lights are totally weather-resistant, meaning you won’t have to worry about taking them out of your yard when it rains, snows, or sleets.
7
Mistake: A Weak, Old-Fashioned Shower Fixture
Solution: This High-Pressure Rain Showerhead
No matter the current state of your shower, you can turn it into something spa-worthy by simply installing this high-pressure showerhead, which measures eight inches in diameter and features a sturdy chrome finish. The extra-large rainfall showerhead has self-cleaning nozzles for the lowest maintenance possible and you can install this in your shower without needing a single tool.
8
Mistake: Not Taking Advantage Of Multi-Tasking Toilet Paper Holders
Solution: The Stainless Steel Holder With A Shelf
Replace your outdated toilet paper holder with this modern stainless steel option that has a shelf. It holds one roll of toilet paper and features a ledge for your phone or extra storage. The sleek design is much better than the cheap plastic ones but just as inexpensive. It has an adhesive back that makes it simple to install.
9
Mistake: Storing Food In Cardboard Boxes
Solution: A Set Of Clear, Airtight Containers With Labels
Despite what the expiration date on the box says, your dry goods can easily go bad quicker than you’d expect — these clear canisters prevent that from happening. This set of seven containers comes with lids that have an airtight seal that protects your pasta, beans, rice, and more from spoiling or succumbing to pests in your pantry. They also come with handy chalkboard labels for an added level of organization.
10
Mistake: Cramming Clothing Into Your Closet
Solution: These S-Type Stainless Steel Hangers That Maximize Space
Tired of folding your pants only for them to end up in a mess, shoved into a drawer — or of cramming your closet with so much that clothing inevitably falls to the ground? Try these S-type clothes hangers that are designed to hold pants, scarves, or other clothing that’s usually too difficult to hang. These stainless steel hangers can hold five pairs of pants at a time while only occupying one hanger’s space in your closet. Upgrade your closet and get this pack of three for just $20.
11
Mistake: Growing Plants In Bulky Pots
Solution: The Rustic Plant Terrarium With Clear Bulbs
Propagate your own plants right at home with this air plant terrarium. The desktop station has a wooden stand with metal legs and cut-outs to hold three planter bulbs. You can even track your plant’s process through the transparent bulbs.
12
Mistake: Outdated Overhead Lighting Fails To Add Ambiance
Solution: These Mini Touch LED Lights
Poor lighting may be making your home look dated. But there’s no need to splurge on custom lights: these battery-powered LED lights are Amazon bestsellers. They are easy to use and install in your home and they instantly upgrade your lighting without spending a fortune. This two-pack is available in warm white lighting that is sure to transform the ambience of any space, and you can easily stick them anywhere with strong adhesive tape or screws (both are included in your order).
13
Mistake: Picking Functional Storage That’s Outdated
Solution: An Over-The-Door Organizer That’s Versatile
This over-the-door organizer is such a versatile piece. Its modern design makes storage resemble art. Use it to hang towels in your bathroom, dry clothes in the laundry room, or hold coats by the front door. This one has earned more than 2,700 reviews for being a styling storage option with endless possibilities.
14
Mistake: Throwing Your Food Containers In A Cabinet
Solution: A Lid Organizer That Stores Them Vertically
This lid organizer is exactly what your kitchen storage is missing. For just $20, solve your organization woes by storing lids in between these five adjustable dividers. They hold round and square lids up to 9-inches wide. The organizer is made of BPA-free plastic and has earned more than 24,000 reviews.
15
Mistake: Decorating Your Patio With Bulky Lanterns
Solution: These Mood-Setting, Outdoor String Lights
Instantly elevate your outdoor space with these globe string lights that are trendy and give outdoor spaces a cozy feel. These affordable lights come in 48-feet long strands (and are available in 27 and 97 feet, as well). They feature 24 shatterproof Edison bulbs that are waterproof and can withstand extreme rain, wind, or dampness.
16
Mistake: Not Maximizing Your Home Office Space
Solution: This Set Of Under-Desk Drawers
Upgrading your home office storage will take your space from cluttered to cute. These under-desk drawers do just that for a reasonable price. This pack comes with two plastic drawers that stick to the underside of your desk with a self-adhesive. They slide out to store pens, business cards, sticky notes, or headphones while keeping the mess discrete. They come in white and gray and are easy to install on any smooth surface.
17
Mistake: Leaving Floors Bare And Blah
Solution: A Cozy Faux Fur Rug To Add Instant Opulence
Add a little bit of luxury to your home with this faux fur rug that’s ultra-soft. The plush rug has a high pile, but if it gets matted, just give it a shake to fluff it right back up. It is made from a hypoallergenic fabric and features a skid-resistant backside that keeps it in place. Snag one in one of five colors and seven sizes.
18
Mistake: Tossing Cutlery In A Drawer Without Organization
Solution: This Cutlery Tray With A Chic Vertical Design
Giving your utensils a proper home will make your kitchen feel nicer, and this simple and compact cutlery organizer is a crowd-favorite with more than 10,000 reviews. This kitchen drawer organizer saves space by stacking your cutlery in a vertical design and keeping it orderly. It holds 24 pieces upright and features three other larger compartments for bigger utensils like spatulas and whisks.
19
Mistake: A Cluttered Bedside Table With Zero Space To Charge Devices
Solution: A Smart Table Lamp With USB Ports
This is more than just a table lamp for your bedside table: it features two AC outlets and three USB charging ports. You can charge your phone or any other devices nearby, as well as neatly store them in the built-in dividers. The wood base is modern and stylish and saves space to keep your room looking tidy.
20
Mistake: Unwieldy Cords Are Making Rooms Look Messy
Solution: Affordable Cable Clips That Stick Anywhere
Your home office probably has a few too many cords and loose wires that could be de-cluttered. This pack of cable clips is the much-needed upgrade your home office deserves and you’ll be shocked at what an impact they make. This affordable $5 pack comes with eight clips, each one designed with a strong adhesive that easily and securely mounts to desks or walls without compromising these surfaces.
21
Mistake: Under-Utilizing Your Cabinet Space
Solution: This Two-Tier Lazy Susan
This two-tier lazy Susan is the perfect upgrade for your kitchen cabinets. The height is adjustable to accommodate different spices, oils, or other ingredient heights. It smoothly rotates 360 degrees so you can find what you need quickly. It is super easy to set up, will transform your cabinet storage, and boasts an impressive 4.8-star rating.
22
Mistake: Storing Makeup In A Drawer
Solution: This Vanity-Top Spinning Organizer
Upgrade your makeup storage by displaying your favorite beauty products on your vanity with this 360-degree rotating organizer. It’s made of acrylic and can be adjusted to different heights to accommodate bottles and tubes of all sizes. The organizer can hold at least 60 makeup brushes, 30 skincare products, and other accessories including lipsticks, nail polish, and eyeliner. It fully disassembles and can be easily cleaned. Choose among five colors.
23
Mistake: Fumbling In the Dark To Get A Snack
Solution: These Motion-Activated Under-Bed Lights
Not only do these under-bed lights add a cool factor to your room, but they’re also affordable and practical. The motion-activated lights come with a self-adhesive, so you can stick them under your bed discretely. The lights will turn on as soon as your feet hit the ground when you get up for a midnight snack or bathroom break. They are dimmable and come in warm white or red, green, and blue.
24
Mistake: Shoving All Of Your Pans Into A Cabinet
Solution: A Pan Rack You Can Use Vertically Or Horizontally
Custom cabinet organization can cost thousands, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. This budget-friendly pan organizer is the ideal solution for any home that could use a bit more storage. This layered unit can be set on its side or standing up to accommodate your cabinet size and store five pans at once. It even comes with mounting tools to secure the unit into place while saving cabinet space. Snag one in bronze, silver, or chrome.
25
Mistake: Using Old, Faded Bath Towels
Solution: These Absorbent Cotton Towels With Hanging Loops
Made from the softest 100% cotton, this coordinated set of bath towels will really bring your bathroom together. Not only are they super absorbent, but each piece in this coordinated set comes with a loop attached for quick and easy drying. That keeps your towels fresher for longer.
26
Mistake: Sticking With Your Throw Pillows For Years And Years
Solution: Smooth Velvet Pillow Covers In 33 Rich Colors
Throw pillows can really pull a space together, but they can also get pretty pricey. These throw pillow covers, however, are a steal — and super elegant. The set comes with two velvet covers that fit an 18-by-18-inch insert (which is not included). The hidden zipper makes it easy to swap the covers out whenever it’s time to toss them in the washing machine. Choose from 33 sumptuous colors and nine different sizes.
27
Mistake: Using An Ineffective Brush To Clean The Toilet
Solution: This Reusable Pumice Stone With 17,000 5-Star Ratings
Say goodbye to rings around your toilet bowl for good when you start scrubbing it with this pumice stone. It only needs a little water to work, which eliminates the need for pricey, smelly chemical cleaners. Despite being tough on dirt and grime, this pumice is gentle on delicate porcelain surfaces, which is ideal for bathrooms.
28
Mistake: Not Repairing Holes In Your Walls
Solution: This Mess-Free Hole Repair Kit
Holes in your walls are distracting guests from the beauty of your home. You don’t have to hire expensive painters — save your money with this hole repair compound that fills in holes in just minutes and replaces vinyl spackling. It won’t shrink, crack, or sag and doubles as a primer — add a touch-up of paint over it, and, voila, it will be like nothing ever happened.
29
Mistake: Wear And Tear On Your Leather Couch Is Bringing Down Rooms
Solution: A Leather And Vinyl Repair Kit
The minute the leather or vinyl exterior on your sofa gets worn out it can make your entire living area look old and in need of an expensive update. Don’t throw out furniture so fast — this leather and vinyl repair kit come with a variety of compounds in different colors that you mix together (all of the tools you need are included) to create a perfect complimentary piece of backing fabric that you’ll then apply to worn-out spots on your furniture to give them a little love and attention.
30
Mistake: Letting Your Cat Scratch Your Furniture
Solution: These Transparent Cat Deterrent Shields
Letting your kitten scratch up your furniture may make them happy, but your sofas are going to suffer big-time. These cat scratch deterrent shields can be cut to size to fit the sides of your furniture and they stay in place with a peel-off adhesive that sticks to the furniture. The protectors are clear, so they won’t ruin your aesthetic, and they’ll gently persuade your cat to move their scratching needs over to the lovely scratching post you provided them.
31
Mistake: Slamming Your Cabinet Doors
Solution: A Pack Of Clear Cabinet Bumpers
If every time you reach inside a kitchen cabinet to grab a cup, you accidentally slam that door shut, those slams are going to add up to chipped cabinets that are costly to fix and replace. But these simple $10 cabinet bumpers adhere to cabinet doors so that each slam lands softly, protecting its wood finish. The translucent button-shaped bumpers come in a pack of 200.
32
Mistake: Not Cleaning Up Stains/Dust On The Floor
Solution: This Microfiber Mop Will Make Your Floors Look Brand-Spankin’-New In No Time
Chances are you already have a traditional mop in your home — but this is no traditional mop. This microfiber mop can do everything from scrub stains to pick up pesky dust and hair that builds up on your floor and makes your space look just plain gross. Plus, it has a 360-degree swivel mop head that makes getting into the nooks and crannies way easier, and comes with four reusable mop pads.
33
Mistake: Not Updating Your Home’s Exterior
Solution: These Magnetic Garage Door Accents
Give your home’s exterior a refresh in less than a few minutes with this magnetic decorative garage hardware. This pack comes with four hinges and two handles, enough for a one-car garage. Using magnets, they stick to your garage door to add character and custom detail that’s impactful without being expensive. This is a curb appeal must-have that boasts a 4.8-star rating and more than 22,000 reviews.
34
Mistake: Not Cleaning Your Frequently-Used Grill
Solution: A No-Fuss Grill Scrub Brush
Every grill owner needs a durable cleaning brush like this one from Estilo. It has a long, 18-inch handle that lets you really get in there with it without burning yourself, and the 360-degree bristle design allows you to scrub while holding the brush at any angle. Your grill will look as good as new once you let this brush take care of it!
35
Mistake: Using Old Blinds For Privacy
Solution: These Semi-Sheer Decorative Curtains
You don’t have to compromise style and elegance for the sake of privacy. You can swap traditional vertical blinds, which may not be doing your room any aesthetic favors, for these beautiful sheer curtains that are softly embroidered in a trellis pattern. These faux linen drapes feature grommets that fit a 1.5-inch rod and come in three sizes and 13 colors.
36
Mistake: Saving For A Full Renovation
Solution: The Peel-And-Stick Subway Tiles That Look Real For $33
As DIY home trends continue to take off, more and more shoppers love these quick, easy, and affordable peel-and-stick subway tiles. They're three-dimensional and mimic real tile laid in a subway-style pattern. The sheets measure 12-by 12-inches and come with 10 in a pack. They have an adhesive back, so you can peel and stick them on any flat surface. You don't have to worry about them getting damaged because they're resistant to heat and moisture and can be easily cleaned.
37
Mistake: Sleeping On A Ruined Mattress
Solution: This Mattress Pad Will Protect Your Sleeping Quarters
Not only will this mattress pad cover protect your bed from any stains and moisture, but it also can help improve your overall slumber by keeping your cool all night long. Made from breathable bamboo, this mattress pad helps keep your beloved mattress in tip-top shape and keeps your body temperature regulated while you snooze (it prevents heat from being trapped between yourself and your mattress) — you can even throw it in the washing machine if it needs a good clean.
- Available sizes: Twin — California King
38
Mistake: Keeping Your Outdated Door Hardware
Solution: Modern Round Door Knobs That Look Chic
Switch your door hardware out for these modern satin nickel knobs. The square mount with the round knob is simple and updated and can be easily installed with just a screwdriver. It’s available in four finishes.
39
Mistake: Keeping Disorganized Piles Of Clutter Around The House
Solution: These Floating Shelves That Display Your Items With Purpose
When you let everything from picture frames to random trinkets create random assortments and piles all over your home, it begins to look like you haven’t taken care of your home in awhile. These shelves not only provide a home for so many of these items, but their “floating” design adds a cool, updated element to your space that will make it look totally brand-new. Plus, these come in a set of three and couldn’t be easier to install with the included hardware.
- Available colors: 9
40
Mistake: Settling For Your Original Kitchen Hardware
Solution: A 30-Pack Of Matte Black Cabinet Pulls
Swap out your build-grade hardware that’s looking a little 15 years ago for these matte black cabinet pulls that are easy to install and low-cost. This 30-pack will transform your bathrooms, kitchen, or dressers. The sleek finish matches many decor styles — from industrial to farmhouse. The 5-inch pulls have earned 20,000 reviews and are also available in satin nickel and brushed brass.
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