These outmoded bathroom fashions are far from being young and spry.
Let’s get one thing clear: Just because something is old doesn’t make it bad. We love old-fashioned, previously owned, and pre-owned Home Goods, we believe that our most cherished enduring heirlooms improve over time much like exquisite wine. Nevertheless, things become complicated when dealing with outdated trends When a home decor trend surges in popularity, it can swiftly fall out of favor and vanish just as rapidly. Should you invest in the incorrect style, within mere years, it might become an unwelcome relic of former fashions.
“Within a quaint old house dating back to the early 20th century or a mid-century dwelling, you might find lovely vintage tiles that remain in excellent shape and should be preserved,” says interior designer Whitney Romanoff. “These are elements we cherish retaining; however, it’s when individuals opt for styles that feel overly contemporary that one can’t help but suspect 'This was surely popular around 2016.'”
Related: 40 Excellent Bathrooms Concepts for a Soothing Getaway
Meet The Experts
- Whitney Romanoff serves as the chief designer for Meet West Studio in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
- Zoe Feldman is the creator and lead designer of Zoe Feldman Design in Washington, D.C.
- Missy Steffens is the main creator of M. Steffens Interiors in Memphis, Tennessee.
Actually, Romanoff states that the most "heartbreaking" culprits for making a bathroom look outdated aren’t designs reminiscent of grandma's house. She explains that instead, the primary offenders are typically the standard, lower-quality builder styles from the '90s and early 2000s—particularly when these clash, such as finding an unmistakably 2005-style bathroom within a historically significant 1920s home.
To keep your bathroom looking fresh for longer, experts suggest employing durable materials capable of enduring wear and tear, along with classic designs. Even though design trends frequently make comebacks, certain bathroom elements remain perennially appealing. decorating fads haven't held up as well since reaching their prime. Including these outdated styles in your bathroom might transport it back to the 1980s, '90s, early 2000s, or more recently. Unfortunately, not in an appealing manner.
Related: Here Are the 6 Largest Bathroom Design Trends for 2024, As Identified by Interior Designers

All Gray And White
When Romanoff considers an old-fashioned bathroom, images of solely black-and-white tiled bathrooms emerge for her. She mentions these were particularly popular between 2015 and 2018 with contractors and property renovators. Nowadays though, a completely white or entirely gray bathroom might signify outmoded design trends and could appear rather dull. To create a distinctive, engaging, and contemporary space, Romanoff suggests adding splashes of color and varying textures to your bathroom decor.
Glass Block Windows
When tasked with redesigning a client's space, interior designer Zoe Feldman understands that glass block windows or walls must be removed right away. Not only do these heavy, warped glass structures evoke an outdated aesthetic reminiscent of the 1980s and 1990s, but they're also susceptible to breaking. Their dated appearance along with frequent damage can make glass blocks seem like relics from another era.

Laminate Counters
A laminate countertop on the vanity can catapult your bathroom all the way back to the 1940s-60s. In fact, Romanoff says that aside from your porcelain and metal, any “too glossy” material may date the room. These days, when Feldman encounters a laminate countertop, she goes ahead and replaces it with marble.
Matte Black
Romanoff’s eagle eyes can’t help but zero-in disapprovingly on matte black finishings and accents—especially in a stark white bathroom. She will then immediately get to work on removing that matte black to prevent it from further dating the room.
"That’s the first thing we want to eliminate," Romanoff states. "Instead of the matte black, let’s opt for a classic finish such as unlacquered brass Or a polished nickel finish that will remain stunning and classic regardless of your decor style.
Low Vanities
Vertical space never fails to grab my attention," remarks interior designer Missy Steffens. "These areas were previously shorter but nowadays, the typical height has increased. Currently, the standard matches the height of a kitchen countertop—at around 34.5 to 36 inches.

Frosted Glass Shower Doors
Sliding glass shower doors equipped with bulky hardware tend to reveal their wear over time, according to Steffens. She points out that frosted glass shower doors are particularly prone to looking outdated. Currently, her preference leans towards frameless glass shower doors, as they appear cleaner and more contemporary to her.
Chrome Finishings
It’s challenging to spot chrome in modern bathrooms. Today, designers such as Feldman, Steffens, and Romanoff prefer using live metals like polished nickel and unlacquered brass. Chrome has fallen out of favor not just because it looks outdated quickly but also due to how easily it scratches and deteriorates, causing it to age faster visually.

Glass Tiles
Although certain tiles remain classic, others have become obsolete due to changing styles. According to Feldman, glass tiles definitely belong to the former trend category. She suggests opting for ceramic tiles instead since they can be more easily painted and updated as fashion evolves.

Hollywood Lights
The lights and camera may still be on, but this style is out of action. Feldman reports that the over-the-top drama of big bulbs framing a mirror has made way in modern design for pleasant and timeless sconces that won’t fade out of fashion so quickly.

Overhead Mirror Lights
Another mirror lighting fad that may date your bathroom is overhead lighting. Rather than one fixture on top of the mirror, designers are now installing twin sconces on either side of the mirror. Not only is this a stylish choice, but it’s also a trend that’s here to stay because of its functionality.
Sconces positioned alongside the mirror offer the ideal lighting for your face," explains Feldman. "This look is more flattering and it also provides the optimal illumination for applying makeup.
Tile Baseboards
Whenever she steps into a bathroom, tiles baseboards Red flags indicating that a bathroom needs renovation, according to Steffens, include outdated features. However, she makes one exception: tiling for wainscotting. Instead of opting for tiles, Steffens recommends using contemporary alternatives such as crown molding paired with wooden baseboards in the bathroom area.
Read the initial article on Southern Living
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