HGTV's Christina Hall Names Two Common Design Elements That'll Turn Buyers Away

When your property is on the market, you want to do everything you can to attract buyers. While important elements like location, size, and layout all factor in, so does design. How you style your home can greatly impact whether buyers make an offer or run for the hills. Christina Hall, HGTV star and interior designer, revealed that carpeting and bold paint colors are two design choices that can turn buyers away.

The former isn't all that surprising. When was the last time you saw a renovation show featuring carpet? It is a flooring choice that went out of style at the end of the 20th century. But no bold colors? Interior designers frequently look for ways to implement vibrant hues, like with wallpaper or accent walls. However, it all comes down to the fact that what you like and what buyers like can be completely different. It is best to make your property feel like a blank canvas so those looking for a new home can picture themselves living and growing there. Fortunately, you can easily avoid these design features that could wreck your home's value and opt for Hall-approved alternatives.

Since the early 2000s, carpeting has been a design no-no. While it makes the room feel cozy and it's soft under our feet, the design is old-fashioned and seen as unhygienic. "Say you have some carpet that's not looking so hot, I highly recommend replacing that," Christina Hall told Parade. "When you walk into a house and you see that carpet that's looking very dated and dirty, I feel like that's a big turnoff." It's not just an ugly carpet buyers see but also an added expense and renovation project. Even if your carpet is new and clean, it's still a floor choice that can hurt your resale value.

Hardwood flooring is a better bet. It is regarded as a neutral option and can increase your resale value. The HGTV star suggested using the same hardwood flooring throughout your home, except in water-prone areas, like the bathroom and laundry room. "I feel like it makes houses look bigger," she explained. The illusion of a bigger house is another pro for buyers. If you still want the cozy look and feel of carpet, Hall recommended area rugs instead. They are easy to install and swap out. Plus, they add flair and are available in tons of designs to match your space and personality.

Bold colors are a great way to bring your space to life and add your own personal touch. Color-block the walls and paint each side a different hue or have floor-to-ceiling designs in vibrant shades. It is an eye-catching element that works, but only for your forever home — not when you want to attract buyers. Christina Hall told Parade, "Wild paint colors [are] also very distracting for buyers." These real estate shoppers want to envision themselves inside the home, and the bold hues you love can keep them from seeing the space's potential.

You don't have to live with off-white walls if you're a glutton for color, but when your property is on the market, go ahead and swap those vibrant shades for neutral ones. Research conducted by the real estate company Zillow revealed buyers are willing to spend more money on properties painted with neutral and earthy colors. If you want to be flooded with offers, bright yellow, green, and pink are paint colors you shouldn't use anywhere in your home. However, you can't go wrong with light blue for the bathroom, white for the kitchen, gray for the living room — or any neutral for that matter.