10 Money-Wasting Kitchen Upgrades That Lower Your Home's Resale Value

While you want to love your kitchen, especially if you plan to sell your home someday, following every fad is not a smart money move and can actually hurt your resale value.

Instead, consider timeless styles that will appeal to a wider range of buyers. After all, you don't want potential homeowners to envision ripping out your kitchen the minute they step inside.

Curious about what to avoid? Here are 10 kitchen trends that you should skip over.

1. Open shelving

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When you scroll through Instagram and oggle over images of gorgeous farmhouse kitchens with their reclaimed wood open shelving, matching stoneware mugs, and perfectly appointed plates, it’s easy to think adding shelves is the key to a stylish space.

However, open shelving requires dusting, staying organized, and buying dishware that looks as pretty on the shelf as on the table. Most people don’t have the time or energy for that, and future buyers probably want to hide their stuff somewhere.

2. Dark cabinetry

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Beautiful navy, hunter green, and even black cabinets are striking on the pages of a magazine. They’re moody and mysterious. They’re sophisticated. And they make it tempting to pull out a paintbrush and a can of dark paint.

But resist the temptation. Once you paint your cabinets dark, it’s hard to go back, and a light kitchen is always a classic choice for resale value.

3. Marble countertops

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Marble countertops are so incredibly chic. They look expensive (because they are!), and people think of them as timeless. However, the maintenance should be a dealbreaker for most homeowners .

One drip of lemon juice or spill of tomato sauce, and you have etching across your counter. Future buyers will be distracted by the imperfections.

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4. Barn doors

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Barn doors had a moment, but if you put them on your pantry doors, they’re instantly going to be dated to 2020. These are a trend you’ll be glad you left behind since any buyer five years from now will instantly see them as something to be replaced.

5. Peel and stick backsplashes

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Peel-and-stick backsplashes are seen as a budget-friendly option for getting a new look without spending the money to replace tile. However, they typically don’t stand up to a kitchen's everyday wear and tear.

By the time you go to sell, the peel and stick will no longer be pristine and may be worse than whatever you had previously.

6. High-contrast cabinets

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If you’re considering painting your upper and lower cabinets in stark contrasting colors, it might be a good idea to step away and think about the idea for a few months.

High-contrast cabinets are a bold look that could quickly become outdated. A more subtle cabinet palette will always be more classic.

7. Oversized lighting

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Massive, restaurant-worthy lighting has a modern, on-trend style, but lighting trends can come and go with the wind.

Your of-the-moment fixture over the island may look magazine-worthy today, but when you go to sell, it could shine like a beacon over your kitchen, dating your space.

8. High-end appliances

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High-end appliances could seem like one of the best moves you can make. They scream expensive, right? And that makes buyers want to spend more, right? Not so fast.

High-end appliances can also be pricey to service, and unless you’re in a high-cost-of-living market, they could seem out of place with what a buyer is expecting.

9. Removing cabinets

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Light, airy, contemporary kitchens without upper cabinets may look calming and serene, but they aren’t necessarily practical. A future buyer will immediately see this as money they’ll have to spend putting cabinets into the kitchen — and that’s a big expense.

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10. DIY’ing ‘stone’ countertops

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You’ve probably seen DIY tutorials online where people use contact paper or epoxy to create a stone-looking countertop. This kind of project goes viral on social media, but the reality of the trend isn’t so picture-perfect.

This DIY project will immediately alert buyers that perhaps upgrades were done on a budget, which can be a red flag when you’re about to spend a significant amount of money on a home.

Bottom line

While your kitchen should ultimately reflect your taste, considering features with broader appeal can be a wise move if you plan to sell within a few years.

Striking this balance between personal style and resale potential can help you create a kitchen you love that can boost your bank account when it comes time to sell your home.

Money tips that can work for everyone

No matter what your bank account balance is, there's always an opportunity to optimize and improve your finances. Here's a quick checklist of things you can look at today.

Focus on paying off your debt . Debt can hold you back from making progress with your overall financial well-being. Aside from cutting expenses, there are tools that can help you pay off debt faster like balance transfer credit cards and debt counseling.

Earning extra income can give you breathing room. If finances are tight, earning some extra money to supplement your income can make a huge difference. A new job is one option to consider, but if you're not ready to make a big change or already retired, a part-time side job could be a better choice.

Cut your expenses. It sounds painful and so not fun, but it doesn't have to be. Take a look at your biggest expenses because that's where you'll probably find the biggest savings. For example, auto insurance rates have been soaring so shopping around for a new insurance company can be the fastest way to cut your bill. Also, look for ways to cut your grocery bill (despite rising inflation).