23 “Outdated” Home Design Trends That Randomly Disappeared, But Desperately Need To Come Back

We recently wrote a post where people revealed the “outdated” home design trends that are actually *better* than modern-day trends. In the comments, readers shared even more past home design trends that need to come back, like, ASAP. Here’s what they had to say:

1.”Real wood stairs and a beautiful banister. I’m so over carpet over lumber, and a plain, utilitarian hand rail. In most homes, the staircase is the first thing a visitor sees, yet it looks like something from an office building.”

—Anonymous, 65, Virginia

2.”A front hall coat closet. They kept visual clutter to a minimum, and even the vacuum cleaner could fit. Using hooks for coats and jackets and a basket for gloves and scarves looks like clutter.”

—Anonymous, 67, Connecticut

3.”Taller ceilings. There’s a grace and spaciousness that can only be obtained by 10-foot ceilings. Even McMansions are often built with 8-foot ceilings, and inside and out, the homes appear squat and out of proportion.”

—Anonymous, 65, Virginia

4.”The laundry chute definitely needs to make a comeback. Our first home had one that dropped the clothes into a wide two-door cabinet on the wall beside the washer.”

—balconydrinksh20

5.”Literally having a yard. All these new McMansions are being built using every square inch of property, leaving no room for a yard! I grew up having a big yard (which is pretty rare because I grew up really close to the city), and we had a sandbox, a swing set, a trampoline, a patio with a fire pit, and a large garden, with plenty of open, grassy areas for running around.”

“I spent so much of my childhood in that yard, and it makes me sad to think that so many kids won’t have much of a backyard because the architect said their house needed to be even bigger.“

—Anonymous, 18, Virginia

6.”Bring back dining rooms (they don’t need to be formal). It’s the place where families sit, talk, and connect around meals. Today, with all the busyness, the mental health of the family is lost, the family doesn’t get to sit down over dinner at least once a week, look each other in the eyes, hear each other’s voices, and be able to discern when something is wrong.”

—laughingtortoise10

7.”Phone nooks in the hallway or living room, and other types of built-in storage. I once rented a house built in 1950 that had a phone nook and open shelving between the living and dining rooms. We could put decorative dishes, books, and other fun stuff in there without needing extra tables and shelves just for those objects.”

—radwitch48

8.”Doors on bathrooms in master bedrooms. Whoever thought this was a good idea? I don’t want to hear someone shower and brush their teeth!”

—Anonymous, 66, Arizona

9.”Warm wood cabinets and floors with walls the color of candlelight and sunshine make a home feel cozy, not sterile or prison-like. Gray days outside are called sad or dreary, yet many homes now use the sad, dreary color everywhere.”

—Anonymous

10.”Window treatments. We have them here in France. Workable shutters and blinds on the outside that you can close throughout the day. I wish everyone had them, especially places that experience intense summer heat. We shut them during the hottest part of the day and open them at night when the heat cools down.”

“Even during the recent heat waves, our home is comfortable with just one fan running. Keeping them closed is also an added layer of security.”

—michellemartinc2

11.”Windows in the bathroom. Yes, you see it in most old homes, but nowhere in today’s homes. They give light and fresh air, both very essential things. Today’s bathrooms feel like a closed closet with suffocating air and a loud, irritating exhaust fan sound.”

—Anonymous, 70, California

12.”A keeping room. We have an eating area between the kitchen and the family room. We removed the small table that nobody used and placed a low round table and four upholstered swivel chairs. Replaced the buffet with barware, and now it’s the perfect in-between for people who want to congregate in the kitchen but also want a small conversation space.”

—Anonymous, 50, Florida

13.”Attic storage, preferably with access inside with pull-down ladder. Doesn’t have to be a lot, but a place to store holiday decor would be nice.”

—Anonymous, 60, California

14.”Everyone needs to stop living like they’re at a sports bar and put that TV back on the floor. It’s a better viewing experience — plus, kids can lie on the floor again and watch TV.”

—Anonymous

15.”Stained glass windows! The colorful light they bring in brightens up even the darkest room!”

—Anonymous, 51, Pennsylvania

16.”Overhead ceiling lights! Today’s builders skimp and cut corners wherever they can. Often, the only lighting available in bedrooms will be receptacles for lamps, but I have seen ceiling lights missing from living rooms and family rooms, too. Not only do you miss the chance to layer your lighting in these rooms, but you also miss out on choosing a decorative fixture to add to your decor, and, sometimes, you just want to fully light the room.”

—Anonymous, 65, Virginia

17.”Window awnings have disappeared everywhere! They are a cheap way to cut back on cooling costs, and they look sweet.”

—the_toast_of_you

18.”Bedrooms located off a hallway on the opposite end of the house from the living spaces. If a house is single level, it’s great for privacy and aesthetics.”

—Anonymous

19.”I grew up with a big, white porcelain kitchen sink with built-in drain boards. Not only are they a charming focal point to many kitchens, they are so useful, whether rinsing a bushel of produce or washing a sticky toddler.”

—Anonymous, 65, Virginia

20.”Formica countertop. I have seen some lately that look very much like granite, but I feel they are more durable.”

“I also agree with bringing back linoleum kitchen floors. They are less hard on legs and back when you work in the kitchen for any length of time.”

—Anonymous, 76, Ohio

21.”Travertine floors! If you live in a beach community as I do, why in the world do you want hardwood floors? Sand and water are always tracked in; even the hardiest wood floors will look terrible after a few years. Give me tile, please!”

—Anonymous

22.”Bring back shower curtains! Glass showers make me feel like I’m cleaning myself in a zoo exhibit for the whole world to watch.”

—Anonymous

And finally…

23.”Built-in, slide-out cutting boards in kitchens. The old house we tore down had one, as did every older home I ever lived in. I wish I’d thought of having my cabinet maker add one. They just aren’t put in new homes, but they were very handy.”

—Anonymous, 69, Minnesota

Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.

What are some other “outdated” home design trends that need a comeback and why? Tell us in the comments, or if you prefer to remain anonymous, you can use the form below.