While your kitchen might be the focal point of your house, you can overdue it with upgrades that are too trendy. realtor.com says “taking a deep dive into modern design is accepting the harsh fact that today’s trends may be tomorrow’s 'Oh, gosh, remember that?' fads such as fake brick or hideaway appliances.”
Done correctly, realtor.com says you can “make a buyer fall deeply in love” with your house based on the kitchen. And with the average kitchen remodeling project costing $20,000, you want to have foresight in the design so it doesn’t end up costing you in the end.
realtor.com says some trends such as subway tile and granite countertops you’re safe with since they’ll be in style for awhile. But the publication lists five trends that buyers hate.
MIXED METALS
You might like an “eclectic” look, but it might not look so good in a few years. realtor.com says to stay away from combining bronze and copper in your kitchen remodeling project along with stainless steel and gold, or nickel and brass. If you absolutely love the look, realtor.com says to “try mixing in different metals with replaceable hardware such as drawer pulls and towel rings, so you can easily ditch them if you put your home on the market.”
DIY CONCRETE COUNTERTOPS
DIY concrete countertops is another no-no for kitchen remodeling. It may be the rage on Pinterest, but kitchen designers say they’re not popular with buyers. It’s best to pick a surface you’ll love a long time and one that’ll also make your home more appealing to buyers.
OPEN SHELVING
Don’t get rid of all your cabinets during your kitchen remodeling project. Open shelving can look great with a few marble-and-steel slabs but doing all open shelving is a soon-to-be-outdated fad, according realtor.com A professional designer “can help you combine minimalism, style, and functionality.”
RECLAIMED WOOD
Reclaimed wood can either look good or horrible, depending on its application. It’s best to focus on horizontal surfaces, where it has a tabletop effect. One kitchen design expert says a reclaimed wood island countertop will last a lifetime but going with a real rustic look - i.e. barn doors — is a trend that’ll be out of style soon.
INDUSTRIAL STYLE
Forget the stainless-steel countertops, aluminum shelving, and exposed light bulbs. Experts say the industrial look is on the way out. If you love the industrial-lamp look, that’s ok since you can easily swap out lamps when the trend passes.