Home Upgrades That Cost More Than They're Worth

Interior designers observe that some recent "upgrades" and design selections have fallen out of favor and may ultimately cost you more than they are worth.

• Gray, especially in vinyl flooring, isn’t as favorable as it was in recent years. Warmer colors are in for paint and flooring.
• Color is in and all white is out. Designers say people are looking for more color, texture and patterns now. Sellers might have imagined white on white made the home a neutral, blank slate for buyers, but sometimes the result is that buyers felt the same as a writer or artist staring at a blank page. Often it's easier to imagine tweaking an existing design or color palette than starting completely from scratch to make a space feel like your own.
• Open or floating shelving especially in the kitchen, in place of cabinets. They can lead to more visual clutter. They also showcase any disorganization and don't protect your dishes from dust like traditional closed cabinets do.
• Swimming pools, garage conversions and wine cellars, along with the addition of solar panels and ultra luxury finishes, are typically not projects that add much—if any—monetary value to a home.

It's also important to remember that quality craftsmanship matters. Often a trend that is currently deemed out of style feels much more timeless when it's been completed with care and attention to detail, with quality materials.

Reach out to your favorite Nations Network agent to get recommendations for trusted contractors in the St. Louis area!