New research reveals some of today's most popular interior trends could actually be devaluing our homes. A study carried out by the team at Rated People found many of the latest trends are guilty of making potential buyers less likely to buy your home.
The list surprisingly includes some of the top design trends of now, from bath-less bathrooms and dark paint colours, to copper taps and painted floorboards.
Related: The pointless home improvements that WON'T add value – should you even bother?
The team analysed a sample of 820,000 jobs, from 3 million over the past three years to reveal the most popular decor and renovation trends of recent years that could cost you, when it comes to selling your home...
Top 15 trends putting off potential buyers
The study looks into renovation and interior design trends in the UK. The findings suggest anything that’s too bold or personal could make buyers less likely to see past the decor to envision the property as their own home.
1. Rooms painted dark blue
This popular hue ranks top of the off putting trends, with 52 per cent. It does and doesn't surprise us, because dark colours are very Marmite – we just happen to love them.
2. Rooms painted dark grey
Dark grey is marginally less hard to picture living with, just behind with 49 per cent.
3. Bathrooms with no bath
This is a bathroom trend the experts say more and more of us are opting for, bathrooms with only a shower. Homeowners are sacrificing baths so they can have bigger and better shows. But with 43 per cent of the vote, could this be a washout when it comes to selling your home?
4. Dark blue kitchen cupboards
It's one of THE most on-trend colours at current for kitchens, but it's clearly not for everyones taste. Dark blue kitchen cupboards doors measures high with 41 per cent.
5. Black taps
Fashionable black taps and shower fittings could potentially put off 35 per cent of viewers.
6. Painted floorboards
Is it the upkeep? The lack of carpet? Or just the look? perhaps all three, but painted floorboards attracted 35 per cent of the vote.
7. Dark grey window frames
It's most like white UPVC are the safest option, because while dark grey window frames are fashionable 32 per cent would be put off.
8. Dark grey kitchen cupboards
It's a familiar story with grey kitchen cupboards doors as it is with blue, with 31 per cent citing it wasn't preferable to live with.
9. Original sash windows
Many period features might put off potential buyers, possibly due to a misconception of costs to upkeep or replace. whatever the reason original sash windows are not appealing to 31 per cent.
10. Wooden double glazing
Wooden windows will deter 31 per cent of buyers.
11. Patterned floor tiles
It seems the saleability factor is to play it safe when it comes to floor tiles, because 29 per cent are not in favour of replacing patterned designs.
12. Tiled floor in living spaces
And 29 per cent would prefer us to avoid using filed flooring in living spaces, that aren't bathrooms, hallways and kitchens.
13. Copper taps
This trendy metallic finish is most likely to put 28 per cent potential buyers off when seen on kitchen sinks.
14. White metro tiles
This popular style of tile is not favoured by 28 per cent, used in bathroom with dark grouting. Play it safe with white grout?
15. Open plan layout
We can probably collectively blame Kirstie Allsopp for the open-plan living that 27 per cent aren't in favour of.
‘We know from the many completed projects in our community that dark and bold colours can look great,’ says Adrienne Minster, CEO of Rated People.
‘But when it comes to selling, it’s a good idea to stay up to date with the features that buyers are looking for, because the trends that were adding value just two to three years ago might now be devaluing properties.’
By analysing over 820k historical jobs posted on the site, conducting a 51-question survey to 1,038 UK homeowners, and Q&A’s with over 600 of its tradespeople, the team at Rated People have pulled together its new ‘Home Improvement Trends Report 2020’ which highlights which interior trends can put-off prospective buyers.
Related: If you live here, you’ll really struggle to sell your home right now
So if you're looking to sell should you rethink your decorating choices. To be on trend, or not to be... that is the question.
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