Avoid Interior Upgrades that Will Date Your Home

Interior upgrades can make a home stand out from the competition, but if poorly chosen, they can also turn off potential buyers. If you plan to upgrade your home in the near future, you may take your inspiration from magazines, TV or design websites. But the hot trends you see featured there today may not be so hot in a year or two, when you try to sell your home. Following are some interior upgrade trends on the way out, or that you should avoid to make your home more sellable in the future.

Bold Colors

Sure, bold colors look great and you may like them, but remember the big avocado green craze in the '70s? Even if your interior is in great shape, the mauve and hunter green of the '90s completely dates a home to that era. Bold colors scare buyers away more easily than almost anything else. Choose neutral colors from the lighter end of the color spectrum, and whatever you do, avoid any paint in the yellow or gold family. Sure, you can paint your home whatever colors you like while you live there, but realize that the black ceiling in the media room will need to be repainted before you attempt to sell your home.

Light Fixtures

Buyers want airy and bright rooms, so beware of installing a showpiece lighting fixture that is overly heavy or ornate. Fixtures should enhance your home, not overwhelm it. Plus, the style of fixtures you select will date your home to that era. Invest in timeless styles that accent and enhance the space rather than dominate it.

All that Glitters is Gold

Speaking of fixtures, it's best to resist the urge to go with gold or brass, no matter what HGTV says. Gold tones will give your home an outdated, 1980s feel, and buyers despise them. Doorknobs, hinges, light fixtures and plumbing trim are the big items to watch out for. Switch out the faucets and fixtures with more appealing finishes such as brushed nickel, which will stand the test of time.

Carpeting

If the carpet in your home resembles anything at Graceland, it's time for an update. Shag carpet may be fun and retro, but potential homebuyers will see it as completely out of style and something they have to pay to replace. Today's home buyers want hardwood, tile or professionally stained concrete. Some buyers prefer carpet in the bedroom, but that preference is dying out as we speak, in most areas.

Forget the Faux

Faux finishes are not in style anymore, no matter how much you may still like them. Buyers want natural and authentic, like real stone, wood or glass. So, if you've got some faux finishes dating your home, it's time to bid them a fond farewell.

In Southern California, the Edie Israel Team specializes in helping home buyers and sellers in their efforts. Contact them today if you plan to sell your home. They can guide you through the process and help you select the most effective interior upgrades.