--- title: 6 Decorating Disasters from Decades Past description: While history tends to repeat itself, some decorating disasters are best left in the past! image: https://blog.militarybyowner.com/hubfs/images/owl_string_art.jpg --- [![MilitaryByOwner](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/hubfs/MilitaryByOwner_February2020/Images/logo_header.png)](https://www.militarybyowner.com/) Member Login - [About Us](https://www.militarybyowner.com/about-us/) - [About Us](https://www.militarybyowner.com/about-us/) - [Company History](https://www.militarybyowner.com/about-us/company-history/) - [Why Choose Us?](https://www.militarybyowner.com/about/why-choose-us/) - [Testimonials](https://www.militarybyowner.com/testimonials/) - [Advertise](https://www.militarybyowner.com/advertise/) - [Blog](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/) - [Resources](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/) - [Resources](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/) - [Ebooks](https://www.militarybyowner.com/ebooks/) - [Home Buying](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/home-buying-resources/) - [Home Decorating/Maintenance Resources](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/home-decorating-and-maintenance-resources/) - [Home Financing](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/home-financing-resources/) - [Home Selling](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/home-selling-resources/) - [Military Life](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/military-life-resources/) - [PCS/Relocation Resources](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/relocatingmoving-resources/) - [Property Management](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/property-management-resources/) - [Renting](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/renting-resources/) - [Website Help and Videos](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/website-help-and-videos/) - [Useful Links](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/helpful-resource-links/) - [About Us](https://www.militarybyowner.com/about-us/) - [About Us](https://www.militarybyowner.com/about-us/) - [Company History](https://www.militarybyowner.com/about-us/company-history/) - [Why Choose Us?](https://www.militarybyowner.com/about/why-choose-us/) - [Testimonials](https://www.militarybyowner.com/testimonials/) - [Advertise](https://www.militarybyowner.com/advertise/) - [Blog](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/) - [Resources](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/) - [Resources](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/) - [Ebooks](https://www.militarybyowner.com/ebooks/) - [Home Buying](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/home-buying-resources/) - [Home Decorating/Maintenance Resources](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/home-decorating-and-maintenance-resources/) - [Home Financing](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/home-financing-resources/) - [Home Selling](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/home-selling-resources/) - [Military Life](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/military-life-resources/) - [PCS/Relocation Resources](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/relocatingmoving-resources/) - [Property Management](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/property-management-resources/) - [Renting](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/renting-resources/) - [Website Help and Videos](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/website-help-and-videos/) - [Useful Links](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/helpful-resource-links/) # 6 Decorating Disasters from Decades Past ![Dawn M. Smith](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/hubfs/Blog%20Authors/Blog%20author%20headshots%202.jpg) ## [Dawn M. Smith](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/author/dawn-m-smith) September 28, 2015 - [**](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://blog.militarybyowner.com/decorating-disasters-from-decades-past) - [**](https://www.linkedin.com/cws/share?url=https://blog.militarybyowner.com/decorating-disasters-from-decades-past) - [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.militarybyowner.com/decorating-disasters-from-decades-past) - [**](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://blog.militarybyowner.com/decorating-disasters-from-decades-past) [Home Decorating Ideas](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/topic/home-decorating-ideas) ## 6 Decorating Disasters from Decades Past We all tend to laugh at these amazingly terrible home decor ideas because we can relate in one way or another. Our grandparents, parents, and even some of our own houses have assaulted others' sensibilities with these catastrophes. If your house is sporting some of these decorating no-nos, then it’s time to take a look for upgrades before you’re asked to donate items into any forthcoming Bad Decorating Museum! ## **The 1960s and 1970s** It’s easy to pick on these decades as design and style were all over the place and everyone had their own version of "unique." The wilder the better, some would say!  **1. Meringue and "popcorn" treated ceilings--popping kids’ balloons since the 1960s!** **![image of popcorn ceiling](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/hubfs/images/popcorn_edited.jpg?t=1443203830993)** Flickr user [Roskvape](https://www.flickr.com/photos/roskvape/) **2.** **Who had string art in their living rooms? We did. Owls, like this**. ![owl string art ](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/owl_string_art.jpg?width=400&height=508&name=owl_string_art.jpg) Flickr user [Darwin Bell](https://www.flickr.com/photos/darwinbell/) **3. ****Decorating with mirrors. So many mirrors...** **![a yellow wall with six assorted mirrors hanging on it](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/hubfs/images/mirrors.jpg?t=1443203830993)** ** ****Flickr user [epicture](https://www.flickr.com/photos/edastrauch/)** ## **1980s and 1990s** These decades weren’t so long ago in the big picture of decorating trends in the United States and it’s hard for some folks to consider these looks dated, but *whoa*, are they ever. Time to let them go! **4. Remember the fabulously tacky Hunter Green and Cranberry color combo? Don’t forget the obsolete wallpaper borders!** ![bedroom with one window and closet doors and tacky maroon wallpaper and border](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/hubfs/images/tacky_wallpaper.jpg?t=1443203830993) Flickr user [Mark Lea](https://www.flickr.com/photos/mclii/) **5**. **Bathroom carpeting. Just No. Never.** ![toilet with the lid up, maroon carpet and maroon striped wallpaper in a bathroom](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/ugly_bathroom_edit.jpg?width=400&height=300&name=ugly_bathroom_edit.jpg) Flickr user [Rick](https://www.flickr.com/photos/spine/2103894277/in/photolist-4cV1tg-5qRVNf-efrZNr-iH98pX-nnoPwv-bvv5Po-aftJTZ-DmgpU-4v9ZJm-6R11kd-7aM3Cw-7aM3MN-5ehb7Z-pp8vkb-efs69F-4SdyMp-bkF4Uh-Lmjo6-7aHcAB-7aMiPd-45QEn-6gxgQ9-mzQJKv-szAz4L-8MyQL7-8T3kNm-roCJtM-nRVz3B-pPW7f7-bc1yiX-PTbVu-2vKwQm-bZQGBq-4EPswo-gUQfsc-9jWGmB-b9hcXV-4hsekt-dCqJry-dQYTC2-7BT6uy-8p7Z3u-pPWaVU-pf72CP-oTHETC-paWQ2g-vCwmg-yrD9uC-pS78LN-aY51E) ** 6. ****Sponge, faux, rag, marble decorative paint. It’s all bad. Confess; you know you tried this! ** ** ![a small piece of a gold sponge painted wall](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/sponge_paint.jpg?width=400&height=300&name=sponge_paint.jpg)** Flickr user [CJ Sorg](https://www.flickr.com/) Because all design and decorating is cyclical, expect to see updated versions of these trends in the near future. Current home searches will show any number of these decorating mistakes and then some, but [don’t walk away from a great home because of aesthetics](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/should-outdated-decor-stop-you-from-buying-your-dream-home)!  And if you're in a home that's in sore need of a decor update, you can find help with our [handy decorating tips](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/home-decorating-and-maintenance-resources/)!   [![5 Resources for Decorating Military Housing](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/131168/e8e5fc18-18f5-4563-8fa3-54dda7d48d50.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/131168/e8e5fc18-18f5-4563-8fa3-54dda7d48d50) #### SHARE THIS ARTICLE - [**](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://blog.militarybyowner.com/decorating-disasters-from-decades-past) - [**](https://www.linkedin.com/cws/share?url=https://blog.militarybyowner.com/decorating-disasters-from-decades-past) - [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://blog.militarybyowner.com/decorating-disasters-from-decades-past) ![Dawn M. Smith](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/hubfs/Blog%20Authors/Blog%20author%20headshots%202.jpg) #### Author ## [Dawn M. Smith](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/author/dawn-m-smith) Dawn M. Smith has made a career out of being a relocation pro. As a military spouse with 10+ moves under her belt, she's evolved from a reluctant mover to a master of converting cardboard box mountain nightmares into customized homes. She's constantly updating her skills to improve all aspects of moving. Her specialties include strategic (with a dose of luck) house hunting, home buying, selling, and renting, and attempting to create Pinterest-worthy spaces within landlord-approved decorating. When not decoding neighborhood demographics for readers, Dawn teaches companies how to serve military families and their best interests. She also travels and explores historic districts with her family, always scouting her next possible address after Army retirement. In addition to MilitaryByOwner, Dawn's relocation advice has appeared in Angi, The Spruce, Forbes Home Advisor, the PODS Blog, and Military OneSource. ### OPT IN for our WEEKLY newsletter To be honest, we don’t do much outbound marketing. So if you give us your email, we’re unlikely to spam you. Connect With Us [facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/militarybyowner) [twitter ](https://twitter.com/militarybyowner) [youtube ](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkvFB7v7Z5yOjWntetiEWKg?view_as=subscriber) [instagram ](https://instagram.com/militarybyowner) [pinterest ](https://www.pinterest.com/militarybyowner/) [linkedin ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/militarybyowner-advertising/) - [About Us](https://www.militarybyowner.com/about-us/) - [Advertise](https://www.militarybyowner.com/advertise/) - [Blog](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/) - [Resources](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/) [Useful Links](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/decorating-disasters-from-decades-past#) - [Looking to Buy/Rent?](https://www.militarybyowner.com/va-home-loan-for-military-homebuyers/) - [Home Advertising](https://www.militarybyowner.com/advertise/) - [Resources](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/) - [VA Loans](https://www.militarybyowner.com/va-home-loan-for-military-homebuyers/) - [Legal Forms](https://www.uslegalforms.com/realestate/?irclickid=xLdzunUAtxyLTmIwUx0Mo37SUkHXgZzAix9oTU0&irgwc=1) - [Tenant Screening](https://rentrisk.com/?partner=mbo) - [Home Buying](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/home-buying-resources/) - [Home Selling](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/home-selling-resources/) - [Ebooks](https://www.militarybyowner.com/ebooks/) - [Military Family](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/military-life-resources/) - [Renting](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/renting-resources/) - [Property Management](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/property-management-resources/) - [Financing](https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/home-financing-resources/)   [![equal-housing-logo250](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/hs-fs/hubfs/equal-housing-logo250.png?width=250&height=250&name=equal-housing-logo250.png)](https://www.hud.gov/)   [![BBB reliability program](https://blog.militarybyowner.com/hubfs/MilitaryByOwner_February2020/Images/logo_bbb.png)](https://www.bbb.org/us/va/stafford/profile/advertising-agencies/militarybyowner-advertising-inc-0603-21015313/#sealclick) Copyright ©2026 MilitaryByOwner Advertising, Inc. All rights reserved. [Contact Us](https://www.militarybyowner.com/contact-us/) / [FAQ](https://www.militarybyowner.com/service/faq/) / [Privacy Policy](https://www.militarybyowner.com/privacy-policy/) / [Terms & Conditions](https://www.militarybyowner.com/terms/) Militarybyowner, militarybyowner.com, and the MilitaryByOwner logo are registered trademarks or service marks of MilitaryByOwner Advertising, Inc. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Dawn M. Smith", "url" : "https://blog.militarybyowner.com/author/dawn-m-smith" }, "dateModified" : "2025-02-10T21:32:23.380Z", "datePublished" : "2015-09-28T12:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "6 Decorating Disasters from Decades Past", "image" : [ "https://blog.militarybyowner.com/hubfs/images/owl_string_art.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.militarybyowner.com/decorating-disasters-from-decades-past", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.militarybyowner.com/hubfs/MBO%20app%20logo%20(1).jpg" }, "name" : "MilitaryByOwner Advertising, Inc." } } ```