7 Trendy Décor Choices That Could Hurt Your Home’s Resale Value, Experts Warn

Not all trends are worth following.

A cozy dining setup with a wooden table a yellow chair draped with a blanket and floral wallpaper in the background a dresser beside — Credit:
Getty Images

Decorating a home is inherently personal, but when it comes time to sell, that personality can become a liability. Today's buyers want spaces that feel complete, but not overly specific—homes they can step into without a long to-do list.

Some of the biggest design trends right now are doing the opposite, making buyers feel like they'll need to change things right away. Here are a few that experts advise against and what they recommend trying instead.

Ben Mizes, president of Clever Real Estate
Saini Rhodes, a real estate expert at Clever Offers
Matt Brown, a luxury real estate advisor at William Raveis Luxury Properties

Dopamine Décor

A modern living room with vibrant artwork and colorful furniture — Decorilla

Bold color palettes, clashing patterns, and highly expressive interiors have surged in popularity, but they rarely translate well to resale.

“High personalization typically morphs a home into an art project of the previous homeowner,” says Ben Mizes, president of Clever Real Estate. He recalls a $5,000 dopamine décor update that ultimately contributed to a $20,000 price reduction.

Saini Rhodes, a real estate consultant, has seen similar outcomes. “Maximalism requires a buyer to appreciate someone else's personality,” she says. “Most simply can't do that in a 30-minute viewing.”

What to do instead: Keep bold design choices to easily reversible elements—like décor, textiles, or art—while maintaining a more neutral foundation.

All-Gray Interiors

A modern living room with a gray sofa cushions a floor lamp a mirror and a coffee table with decor and books — Getty Images

“The monochrome gray trend is aging poorly,” says Matt Brown, a luxury real estate advisor. Once considered the safest choice, gray-on-gray interiors are now reading as cold and dated. “Buyers are now gravitating toward warmer, more varied color palettes.”

Rhodes adds that all-gray kitchens and living spaces can feel depressing to buyers, especially when layered across walls, cabinetry, and flooring.

What to do instead: Incorporate warmer neutrals—soft whites, beiges, and earth tones—that feel current yet remain broadly appealing.

Statement Wallpaper

Bedroom with a vibrant patterned wallpaper bed with white linens and decorative pillows and bedside tables with lamps — Getty Images

While wallpaper can add personality, bold or graphic designs in main rooms often become a sticking point.

“I've seen $2 million plus homes sit on the market longer because buyers can't see past dramatic wallpaper,” says Brown. This is especially true in living rooms and primary bedrooms, where buyers expect a more neutral backdrop.

What to do instead: Save statement wallpaper for smaller areas like powder rooms or entryways.

Dark Interiors

A modern dining room with a round table surrounded by upholstered chairs and a shelving unit in the background — Getty Images

Dark, moody interiors may look striking in photos, but in reality, they can make spaces feel smaller and less inviting. “Most houses lack the natural light required to make an all-black room feel comfortable,” Rhodes says.

What to do instead: Use darker tones as accents rather than full-room treatments, and balance them with lighter finishes.

Invisible Kitchens

Modern white shelving unit displays a variety of homeware items, including plants, crockery, glassware, and decorative objects, creating a stylish and organized space in a contemporary home — Getty Images

Minimalist kitchens that hide appliances and rely heavily on open shelving may look sleek, but they can signal a lack of functionality. Mizes refers to this as the “invisible kitchen” trap: “An unfunctional kitchen is a huge liability.”

Similarly, he adds, too much open shelving can make a space feel cluttered and raise concerns about storage.

What to do instead: Prioritize practical, closed storage while incorporating a small amount of open shelving for display.

Outdated Statement Details

A bathroom vanity with two sinks two mirrors and a vase of decorative branches — Getty Images

“Buyers can immediately tell when a home was renovated,” Rhodes says, pointing to shiplap walls, accent walls, and industrial-style lighting as clear indicators of past trends. Certain once-popular features now act as timestamps.

Even small details, like Edison bulbs, can suggest a home needs updating.

What to do instead: Opt for simple, elegant finishes and lighting that won't anchor your home to a specific era.

Themed Rooms

A nursery with a crib a changing table and cloudshaped wall decorations — Getty Images

From mural-covered nurseries to heavily styled bedrooms, overly specific spaces can limit buyer interest.

“I've seen buyers walk away simply because they factor in the cost and effort of repainting,” Rhodes says. Even if the design is well-executed, it can make it harder for buyers to envision their own lives in the space.

What to do instead: Keep permanent elements neutral, and let personality come through in décor that can be easily removed.