The Common Design Trend You'll Want To Avoid If You Plan To Sell Your Home

Finding the right balance between trendy and timeless design can feel like walking a tightrope, especially when you're planning to sell your home. Every buyer who steps inside will bring their own style and vision for the space — and if they're met with glaring, trendy designs, it can make it harder for them to imagine the home as their own. Home design trends are constantly cycling, so choices that make your home feel stylish at the moment may make it seem outdated by the time you're bringing in potential buyers. There are plenty of styles you'll want to steer clear of, and accent walls are one of the biggest offenders.

Although accent walls seem to be one of the trends that have stood the test of time, they may become a fatal flaw when it comes time to sell your home. One of the simple ways to get your home ready to sell is to create a neutral appeal for buyers — something that an accent wall will undoubtedly derail. These walls tend to showcase personality with a bold flair but can stop buyers in their tracks before they even step inside — leading them to dismiss your listing entirely to avoid the extra work of covering it up. Rather than getting caught up in the individual charm of accent walls, it's smarter to invest in design elements that enhance your home's value and broad appeal.

Accent walls are a great way to highlight your unique style and character through decor, creating an opportunity to make the room feel personal to those who live in it. That said, home buyers aren't looking for a space that reflects previous owners — they want a blank canvas where they can build their own style. One of the top things you can do to sell your house faster, according to HGTV's "Unsellable Houses," is to get rid of personal belongings. You may not plan on incorporating family photos and memorabilia, but other kinds of accent wall decor will still carry a sense of individuality and personal touch that overwhelms buyers. An accent wall is designed to make a statement, and while you may find it charming, there's no way to predict if others will agree.

Beyond their eclectic decor, the bold paint colors of accent walls can also negatively impact your home's sale. Home trend experts have noted that intense wall colors often go hand in hand with lower offers, so it may be best to save this kind of project for your forever home. Instead of falling victim to the accent wall craze, you'll benefit more from focusing on a design trend that is all about increasing your home's value, like kitchen upgrades or outdoor renovations. Skipping the accent wall trend in favor of more thoughtful, value-boosting designs will pay off when it's time to put your home on the market.