AVOID These Popular Trends When Updating Your Home

Thinking about updating your home before selling it? Be careful—some once-popular trends could hurt your chances of getting top dollar.

👉 Ready to get expert advice and maximize your home sale? Start here

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Why Design Choices Matter More Than Ever When Selling Your Home

If you’re preparing to sell your home, those Pinterest-perfect upgrades from five years ago might actually cost you money today. In a shifting market, buyer expectations evolve—and staying in tune with those expectations can make the difference between a quick sale and a stale listing.

As real estate expert Jeb Smith shares in his video, some of today’s most common design trends are actually working against homeowners trying to sell. Let’s walk through the most outdated, overused, and misunderstood design choices—and what you should do instead.

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🚫 Trend #1: Gray Overload – Walls, Floors, Cabinets, and Counters

Focus Keyphrase: Gray Home Design

Gray took over home design in the last decade. Gray walls, gray flooring, gray cabinets, gray everything. But today? It’s feeling cold, lifeless, and overdone.

Why it hurts your sale:

• Feels sterile and impersonal—like walking into a hospital.
• Buyers want warmth, comfort, and natural textures.
• Makes it hard for buyers to emotionally connect with the space.

What to do instead:

• Opt for neutral whites , soft beiges, or warm grays (aka "greige").
• Add warmth with wood accents and organic textures.
• Use paint to soften cold tones—budget-friendly and impactful.

“Today, buyers want warmth. They want natural wood tones. They want neutral paint. They want earth-inspired textures.” – Jeb Smith

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🚫 Trend #2: The Cookie-Cutter Flip Look

You’ve seen it a million times:

• White shaker cabinets
• Gray veined quartz countertops
• The same vinyl flooring from house to house

Why it hurts your sale:

• Signals “builder grade” or cheap upgrades
• Feels generic and unmemorable
• Lacks emotional appeal or uniqueness

Better alternatives:

• Choose a subtle but unique stone for counters
• Use a clean, solid white countertop and pair with a bold or artisan backsplash
• Visit a real slab yard—avoid showroom-in-a-box sameness

“It’s the details that can create perceived value. Sometimes it just means going with a solid white countertop.”

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🚫 Trend #3: The Ultra-Modern Aesthetic

Think black and white everything, flat-front cabinets, glossy finishes.

Why it’s a problem:

• Photographs well but feels cold in person
• Lacks the comfort and warmth buyers want in a home
• Reminds buyers of a hotel or dentist’s office

How to fix it:

• Layer your lighting: ambient + task + accent
• Add cozy elements like curtains, rugs, pillows
• Break up sharp lines with organic forms and materials

“Buyers don’t want a space that feels too polished or sterile where they can’t connect with it.”

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🚫 Trend #4: Open Shelving in the Kitchen

It looks amazing on HGTV or your favorite Pinterest board—but the reality? Open shelves are a nightmare for most buyers.

Why it backfires:

• Signals lost storage
• Looks cluttered and impractical
• Makes buyers think they’ll need to remodel the kitchen

Stick with:

• Traditional cabinets (or glass-front for lighter feel)
• Clean, functional, and storage-rich options

“Unless you’re staging with perfect props, skip open shelving—especially if you’re trying to impress buyers.”

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🚫 Trend #5: Open Concept Overkill

Open layouts had their moment, but post-pandemic? Priorities are shifting.

Why it’s hurting resale now:

• No privacy, no quiet zones
• Too loud, too bright, too distracting
• Families now want multi-functional, separate spaces

What works better today:

• Defined zones using rugs, furniture, or dividers
• Partial walls or sliding barn doors for flexibility
• Homes with separate living areas are in demand

“Too open equals too loud, too hard to focus, zero privacy.”

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🚫 Trend #6: Style Clashing – A Confusing Design Mashup

Farmhouse light fixtures + Boho backsplash + Modern drawer pulls = chaos.

Why this is a red flag:

• Creates a feeling of disjointedness
• Makes buyers think the whole home needs updating
• Confuses the identity and vibe of the house

Stick to one design lane:

• Cohesive flow from room to room
• Don’t be boring—but be intentional
• Use bold choices sparingly (e.g., wallpaper in a powder room)

“Don’t clash styles—it creates buyer confusion and results in them assuming they need to redo everything.”

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🚫 Trend #7: The Black and White Exterior (Especially Black Roofs)

Those stark black-and-white exteriors may look sharp...for a while.

Why it can hurt curb appeal:

• Black paint fades fast—especially under the sun
• Painted roofs start to peel or reveal original colors
• Looks great for photos but wears poorly over time

What to do instead:

• Use quality exterior paint designed for UV resistance
• Don’t paint your roof— stain it professionally
• Stick with timeless color schemes that age well

“If you're planning to paint your orange roof tiles black, please don't. It looks great until it doesn't.”

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💡 Bonus Tip: The Power of Neutrality

You’re not designing for you anymore—you’re designing for your buyer.

• Broad appeal = more demand
• More demand = higher price

And remember, you don’t need a full remodel. A few small, strategic changes can dramatically improve how buyers perceive your home.

“You don’t need loud patterns, wall-to-wall wallpaper, or extreme design moves. Use them sparingly and with purpose.”

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⛔ Before You Spend a Dime—Talk to a Pro

Don’t go remodeling blindly. Every market is different. What hurts resale in one area might actually help in another.

✅ Get a local real estate agent who:

• Understands your neighborhood
• Knows what buyers want right now
• Can walk you through updates that matter

👉 Find a trusted agent today: www.jebsmith.net/start

“Real buyers—not Instagram, not HGTV—are who matter. Getting their attention is how you get top dollar.”

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Final Thoughts: Sell Smart, Not Trendy

Your home doesn’t need to be trendy to sell. It needs to be inviting. Clean. Neutral. Move-in ready.

Avoid the mistakes above and you’ll be well on your way to:

• Getting more showings
• Attracting better offers
• Selling faster and for more money

🌟 Want to know exactly what to fix and what to leave alone before you list? Start here for trusted advice and a personalized plan.

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