10 Home Design Renovation Trends that Could Devalue Your Home
Maybe you have eclectic taste, but when it comes to funky or unusual home renovations, those quirky differences could end up coming back to bite you, especially if you plan on selling your home at some point. Let’s take a look at a few home design trends that have cropped up in recent years that could potentially devalue your property.
Built-in bars
They may be awesome for parties, but they’re terrible for home resale value. Why? Because not everyone is into the bar scene – especially when that scene happens to be in your living room or finished basement. Even if the bar you build seems appealing today, it could look dated by the time you’re ready to put your home on the market. Don’t take chances. If you absolutely must have a bar, choose a portable one instead.
Too much wallpaper
Sure, wallpaper isn’t necessarily permanent, but because it’s such a factor of personal taste, if yours isn’t a potential buyer’s cup of tea, it could end up taking away from your home’s charm. And really – who wants to take on the hassle of having to scrape off wallpaper? Increase your home’s likeability by sticking with paint.
Funky tile patterns
One of the greatest things about owning your own home is that you can personalize it to your tastes and preferences. But be careful not to overdo it, otherwise you could end up hurting your home’s value – especially when it comes to tiling. That 1950’s checkerboard diner look may make you excited, but most potential buyers would view it more as a distraction and something they’ll need to remove. If you want to add a little flare to your floors, try using funky throw rugs instead.
Carpeting everywhere
54 percent of prospective home buyers say they’d be willing to pay more for a house with hardwood floors. Carpeting has its place, but if you have the opportunity to invest in wood flooring, it’ll pay off in the long run. Besides, like wallpaper, carpeting colors and textures are based on personal taste and over-personalized home décor can decrease its worth.
Kick-ass home office
Thanks to technology, more and more people are telecommuting which means the need for home office space is big. But if you’re thinking of converting one of your bedrooms into a fancy, state-of-the-art office, you may want to think again. In fact, according to research conducted by building and renovation company Castle Smart, losing a bedroom can drop the value of a home by up to 10 percent. It’s ok to use the space available to you for remote work, just make it easy enough to convert back before putting your home on the market.
Built-in aquariums
Thanks to the popular TV show Tanked, people are dreaming up newer and crazier ways to incorporate fish tanks and aquariums into their home design. Unfortunately, not everyone sees the value of such a fixture. Not only are they difficult and costly to maintain, but they could also become a nightmare down the road – something many potential buyers might prefer not to take a chance on. If you love fish, stick with standard, portable fish tanks.
High-end electronics
That in-house theater is awesome if you’re a movie buff, but when you install large or customized electronics that take up a lot of space, you could potentially turn off prospective buyers. Again, as with any home renovation, over-personalization can lead to a drop in home value and high-end, built-in technology that will eventually become outdated is a prime example.
Garage or basement to gym conversion
Fitness gurus may love having a built-in gym right on their property, but most people prefer to use garages and basements for their intended purpose. In fact, many people specifically search for homes that have extra storage space. If you do convert an area, keep in mind that the easier it is to convert back, the better your chances of reselling will be.
Built-in hot tubs
Hot tubs are awesome, but if they’re not portable, potential buyers may view them as a deterrent. Not only are built-in hot tubs a hassle to maintain, but buyers with young children or those who are considering starting a family might view them as a hazard. You have the right to relax any way you see fit, but if you make it a permanent fixture, you might pay for it in the long run.
Having the ability to design and renovate your own home is awesome, but if you’re not careful about the changes you make, you could end up inadvertently devaluing your home, making it harder to sell when the time comes. To avoid this, keep the tips above in mind and always take into consideration your future buyers whenever making a design decision.
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