The title of this article is misleading, as there is no way to keep your apartments from looking dated forever. Research the styles of the past hundred years and you will realize that not one feature has proved to have absolute staying power. Not even hardwood floors.
That being said, some features have proved to have more staying power than others. And because standard apartments have an expectation to be more basic than a personal home, I believe there are some features that apartments can get away with for a longer period of time. Other features are even expected, like the combo shower and tub. If you are wanting to make updates to your apartments that will give you your money’s worth and not look dated too quickly, here are some tips for you-
What to Avoid
Tiled countertops
Colored tile
Colored anything, really
Wallpaper
Vessel sinks
Cabinets with different finish, like the cabinets for the kitchen island different than cabinets attached to the walls around the edge.
Farmhouse-style sinks
Patterns
Faux finishes
Shower doors. Many are saying shower curtains are out of style, but for apartments I would say the shower curtain is the most practical for cost and maintenance purposes.
Wainscotting
Features That Have Proved to Have More Staying Power
Solid wood doors
Smooth plaster walls
Slab counters. Stone countertops seem to rotate through what designers describe as ‘in,’ like granite then and marble now, but they last well and come back regularly. Avoid busy, trendy patterns and colors.
A full counter-to-cabinet backsplash is the most practical.
Stainless steel appliances. I personally do not like these, but they have lasted a long time.
Other Aspects to Consider
Hardware like knobs and faucets can be the cheapest way to update a look, also light fixtures, so are more affordable to change more often.
Stick with neutral colors. You do not need to add color to your apartments. Your residents can do this with their own furniture and decorations.
If it’s on trend, you may want to back away. See if the trend lasts longer than three years.
A fresh coat of paint will always make your apartments look modernized.
Try to select pieces that are sturdy as residents tend to be hard on apartments and may not take good care of their living space.
