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August
17

Design Trends to Avoid

There are classic design styles in home decor, and then there are fads. Classic endures, and fads, while fun, fade. Selling your home? As much as you love your purple and yellow accent walls, your brass fixtures, and your boldly patterned bathroom wallpaper, potential sellers probably won't. 

A seller needs to appeal to the mass of buyers, not just the quirky few who might be tuned into your flights of decorating fancy. Potential buyers want to see a neutral palette where they can imagine themselves bringing their own decorating dreams to life in your home.

Now that you're ready to list your home among Richmond homes for sale have a look at some trends to avoid -- and why you should resist them.

  1. Brass or Other Warm Metal Fixtures
    We've already mentioned brass, so let's just go with it, but we're also going to throw copper, rose gold and other warm metals in there. True, they're having their moment, but it will pass, and remember, some potential buyers will just plain loathe brass. So play it safe and go with nickel, chrome, or stainless steel.

  2. Colorful Appliances
    Colorful appliances are also having their day. But go with stainless steel -- a perennial favorite -- or even black stainless steel. White appliances have also regained popularity in recent years. These neutral tones are the least likely to inspire backlash as potential buyers scroll through images of your home.

  3. Bright Wallpaper
    Bright, boldly printed wallpaper has been cropping up in bathrooms in the last couple of years, and while it can make an exciting design statement, it's best to turn down the volume on the loud wallpaper when you're trying to sell your home. 

  4. Stark White Kitchens and Bathrooms
    Don't get us wrong: white kitchens (and bathrooms) can look fabulous, especially in an ultra-modern home. However, there's a balance between livable and stark, clinical white. Warm things up with accessories and accents in neutral tones. Offset those clean, cold lines with some subtle accents.

  5. Vibrant Front Doors
    If you've been walking your neighborhood, you've likely seen plenty of gray, white, or neutral-toned homes with surprising, eye-popping front doors in bright, bold colors, ranging from fiery orange to sunny yellow, and blues and greens and everything in between. It's definitely a trend, but you just can't know if your lime green door is going to drive away a potential buyer. Be safe and go understated, or if you want to be a bit bolder, do red or black (two current favorites). Above all, make sure the door is clean, and in good repair.

  6. Tile Countertops
    Tile countertops had a good run in the 80s and 90s, but in 2020 most homebuyers are going to think about having to clean that grout. Have a look at quartz, now recognized for its durability and low maintenance.

  7. Over the Range Microwave
    They were a great idea in the mid-80s, but now gas range burners are cooking with more BTUs, and having the microwave over the range presents ventilation issues with all that grease, steam, and heat. New options include microwave drawers and under-cabinet models. 

Our real estate agents can help with more tips for creating eye-catching appeal when your home goes on the market. Contact us today.  

©Joyner Fine Properties - Seller will consider paying buyer agent compensation based upon the terms and conditions of any offer made. Said compensation to be negotiated in the purchase agreement. Disclaimer: All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumers personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Information on this site was last updated 03/03/2026. The listing information on this page last changed on 03/03/2026. The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange program of Delta Media Group MLS (last updated Tue 03/03/2026 12:03:51 AM EST) or CAAR MLS (last updated Mon 03/02/2026 11:10:43 PM EST) or CVRMLS (last updated Mon 03/02/2026 11:58:25 PM EST) or Bright MLS (last updated Mon 03/02/2026 11:58:09 PM EST). Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Joyner Fine Properties may be marked with the Internet Data Exchange logo and detailed information about those properties will include the name of the listing broker(s) when required by the MLS. All rights reserved.

©Joyner Fine Properties - Seller will consider paying buyer agent compensation based upon the terms and conditions of any offer made. Said compensation to be negotiated in the purchase agreement.

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