Historic homes have charm and ambiance that have been acquired over the years. Older homes that are not quite historic may also have charm, character and interest that come from building techniques and craftsmanship or possibly features that aren't common in today's homes.
Styles change and desired features change as well. Rooms with specific purposes once gave way to Great Rooms. Sunken living rooms and family rooms were once cutting edge. Railings and half walls allowed kitchens, breakfast nooks and family rooms to flow into each other to make the areas more spacious. The trend in many areas is to eliminate these "barriers" altogether.
A seller can't remake an older home into one that features all the latest desirable features, nor should they have to. Older homes may have features that are unique and that can outweigh the lastest building inovations that may be tomorrow's dated fads. The key is to make sure that the decor doesn't make the home feel old and dated.
So what makes a home "dated"? Some things, no matter what condition they are in, will automatically date a home. Vinyl flooring in an entryway leading down the hall and into the kitchen says "dated". Laminate countertops, especially faux butcherblock designs, look dated. Windows heavily dressed with swags, jabots, and curtain panels, can date a room and diminish the natural light. Mirror panels mounted on a wall with plastic clips in bathrooms and other rooms can look dated. Although wallpaper is making a comeback, metallics, flocked patterns and embossed vinyl with pale florals are some examples that will still look dated. Older faux painting techniques such as high contrast sponging and stencils in primary colors can easily date a home.
Decorating trends and fads that were once the rage can be dated. Macrame wall hangings or plant hangers, roughly cut wood paneling, chevron or diagonally applied wood paneling, plates and artwork hung from bows and ribbons, and older track lighting with large round white or black spotlights are just a few examples. Some are easier to change or eliminate than others to give the home a fresher and more updated appearance.
What makes a home dated will often vary from one region to another. In Virginia, where traditional decor is influenced by Williamsburg and other historic homes, brass fixtures are as still as popular as the pewter styles and remain classic.
What dates a home in your particular area?
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Great break down of the difference between "historic" and dated. Thanks for taking the time to put those thoughts down like that.