The #1 Thing That Dates a Home (the Free Fix)
No shopping required: Easy rules that make any space feel updated
After hundreds of consults, there’s one pattern I see in nearly every home—regardless of style, budget, or square footage. It’s also the easiest thing to fix, and it instantly makes a space feel fresher and more updated. Want to know the most common thing I see that makes a space feel instantly more “dated” (and smaller) ?Hint: it isn’t the sofa or the paint color…
It’s too much visual clutter on surfaces.
Counters, coffee tables, nightstands, bathroom vanities—when they’re crowded, your home loses that fresh, calm, updated feeling.
The best part? The fix is free. And it helps for real life moments like:
- last-minute guests dropping by
- your college kid coming home for the weekend
- hosting book club / small group / the in-laws
It’s too much visual clutter on surfaces.
Counters, coffee tables, nightstands, bathroom vanities—when they’re crowded, your home loses that fresh, calm, updated feeling.
The best part? The fix is free. And it helps for real life moments like:
- last-minute guests dropping by
- your college kid coming home for the weekend
- hosting book club / small group / the in-laws
And NO, you don't have to be a minimalist! Just keep things looking fresh and organized.
5 Main Rooms: Quick Wins That Make a Home Feel Instantly Updated
1) Entry / Drop Zone
- Remove extra shoes, bags, and mail piles
- Keep only:
- one tray/bowl for keys
- one hook or basket for daily grab-and-go items
- one welcoming touch (plant, lamp, or simple art)
2) Living Room
- Coffee table: keep 1–3 items (a tray + candle + book is plenty)
- Fold throws and limit pillows to your favorites
- Hide remotes/chargers in a basket or lidded box
- Edit shelves: leaving open space is what makes it feel current
3) Kitchen
- Clear countertops as much as possible
- Leave out only what you use every day (example: coffee station or fruit bowl)
- Corral sink items on a tray (soap + sponge looks intentional)
- Keep papers off counters—create one “paper home” (basket or drawer)
4) Primary Bedroom
- Nightstands: lamp + book + one small item (done!)
- Make the bed simple and smooth—less fuss reads more modern
- Clear the dresser top and style one small grouped moment
- Use a closed hamper to keep laundry from becoming “visual noise”
5) Main Bathroom
- Clear the vanity—daily essentials only
- Store products in a drawer or one basket under the sink
- Fresh hand towel + clean soap instantly elevates the space
- Minimize shower bottles if you can (even temporarily)
Why this matters
When surfaces are edited and intentional, a home feels:
- brighter
- cleaner
- more spacious
- more updated
- and honestly… easier to enjoy
A home doesn’t have to be perfect to feel beautiful—but it does need breathing room. Clearing surfaces is the simplest way to create that calm, “ahhh” feeling when you walk in the door. I recommend it constantly as a designer because it makes your space feel more intentional for real life: family dropping in, friends gathering, or a weekend reset. If you’d like more easy, encouraging ideas, subscribe to my monthly newsletter for tips you can use right away.
Until next time!—
Jonelle Tannahill
Impressions ReDesign | Love Your Home More
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