1. Linoleum Floors
These colorful, low-maintenance floors were found in kitchens and bathrooms. Modern homes favor hardwood, tile, or luxury vinyl instead.
2. Built-In Telephone Nooks
These small, recessed spaces in the hallway were once essential for landlines and phone books. With smartphones in every pocket, these charming relics have disappeared.
3. Wood Paneling Everywhere
Grandma’s cozy den, covered floor-to-ceiling in dark wood paneling, has been replaced by bright, open spaces and sleek drywall.
4. Retro Laminate Countertops
Speckled or pastel-colored laminate was a kitchen staple in Grandma’s day. Granite, quartz, and butcher block have since taken over.
5. Formal Sitting Rooms
A separate room reserved solely for guests is rare in today’s open-concept designs. Grandma’s sitting room was a display of her best furniture and decor.
6. Pocket Doors
These space-saving sliding doors were common in older homes but have largely been replaced by traditional hinged doors.
7. Lace Curtains
Delicate, patterned lace curtains were a signature of Grandma’s windows. Today’s trends lean toward minimal, sheer, or blackout drapes.
8. Wallpaper Borders
These decorative strips near the ceiling added personality to rooms. Now, smooth, solid-colored walls dominate modern interiors.
9. Pastel Bathroom Fixtures
Mint green, powder blue, and blush pink toilets and sinks were once the height of bathroom style. Neutral tones have since become the norm.
10. Popcorn Ceilings
Grandma’s home may have had these textured ceilings, which are now considered outdated and hard to clean. Smooth ceilings are now the standard.
11. Knotty Pine Cabinets
Rustic, warm, and full of character, knotty pine cabinets were beloved in Grandma’s kitchen but have been replaced by sleek, painted cabinetry.
12. Sewing or Craft Rooms
Dedicated spaces for sewing, quilting, or crafting were a must in older homes. Today, multifunctional spaces or portable craft setups are more common.
13. Built-In China Cabinets
These elegant, glass-fronted cabinets showcased Grandma’s finest dishes and heirlooms. Open shelving or freestanding storage is more common now.
