Terrible DIY ‘Improvements’ that Devalue Your Home

Before you go ahead with your DIY improvements, research how they can improve value or take it away. Improvements can backfire and devalue your property. You can end up spending money and gain no return on investment. Here are some terrible DIY ‘improvements’ that devalue your home.

Combining rooms

Combining two small rooms will cause headache come resale. You now have one less room in your home. It’s thought that each bedroom can add around 15 percent to the value of the home. Furthermore, there are plenty of tricks to make your room seem bigger. This can easily be done with slim furniture, mirrors and neutral colours.

Wallpaper

You may love wallpaper; a potential buyer may not. Don’t go overboard. It can create an overwhelming feel. Covering a house means a lot of work for somebody who wants to take it down – it's notoriously hard to remove.

A fresh coat of paint in neutral colours such as whites and tones of grey will set a better feel in a room. Instead of adding wallpaper to your home, consider removing the existing wallpaper. Potential buyers have one less problem to ponder.

Pools and hot tubs

Not all homes benefit from a pool. A house located in a hot climate will benefit from a pool. In other locations, the maintenance is not worth it. Research the suburb and find out if other homes have gained from adding one. A local agent can offer advice regarding how pools change the value of a home. To find local agents, head to OpenAgent.

Like swimming pools, hot tubs are a gamble – they take up space and require constant maintenance. Plus, homebuyers with children might consider a hot tub a safety hazard. Furthermore, if you have an above-ground or portable hot tub, consider taking it with you.

Lighting

When choosing lighting, don’t fall in love with a unique fixture. Go for something common. A current trend will be outdated in 10 years; go for timelessness and simplicity. Appealing to a broader range of people is in your interests. By going for a simple look, you can also save time and money.

If you do love a unique lighting fixture, apply it to a room where it can be changed easily.

Unusual tiling

Over-personalisation is a common mistake among homeowners. Unique tiles can be confronting. Getting it wrong will cost you a lot of money. Firstly, DIY tiling is not recommended. One mistake can mean ripping it all up, so let a professional handle it. Don’t try tiling over wooden floors or other surfaces that don’t need it. Go for traditional tiles or tiles that are on trend and will be for the foreseeable future. Kitchen and bathroom tiles are seen every day, so be thorough when deciding on a tile.

Aquariums

We all love the idea of aquariums, but they require maintenance. A built-in aquarium will have downsides that outweigh the upsides. Even though it looks upscale, it will require frequent cleaning to avoid becoming a murky eyesore. Paying somebody to clean it frequently is also an unneeded expense. This will scare potential buyers instantly.