10 Nate Berkus Renovation Ideas That Actually Lower Your Home’s Value
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Renowned interior designer, Nate Berkus has inspired countless homeowners with his style that is comfortable, classy and a little dramatic. His ideas are as inspiring as they come, but there are a few choices that, while trendy, could unintentionally shave dollars off the resale value of your home. After all, not everything we see on TV should come into our homes, if we want to make a profit.
Homeowners eager to jump on board with high-end design trends sometimes overlook one critical aspect: buyer preferences. A home must appeal to a broad market to fetch top dollar, real estate experts will tell you. Here, let’s examine a few of Nate Berkus’ design choices that are visually captivating, but may not be the best bet for your home.
Overly Dark Interiors
In fact, Nate Berkus has used darker color palettes to create a moody, luxurious atmosphere many times. While these spaces may look beautiful on Instagram, a too dark interior can make a home feel smaller and less inviting. Many buyers still want light, airy spaces to help them see the potential in a room.
Every Room Is Bold and Patterned Tile
Beautiful Moroccan or geometric tile in a chic bathroom or kitchen, who doesn’t love it? For many, the appeal of patterned tiles is inspired by Nate Berkus. It’s too much for potential buyers when every bathroom, kitchen, and even entryway is crammed with bold patterns. Overwhelming patterns can be restrictive because most people think about personalizing their homes. They might even work out how much it would cost to replace them, which may lead them to offer less.
Open Shelving in the Kitchen
Yes, open shelving can give you a modern, spacious, magazine looking kitchen. Homeowners put what they love, on open shelves, and Nate Berkus encourages that with beautiful items. In reality, however, most of us don’t have perfectly curated kitchenware. Open shelving is a maintenance burden: Potential buyers see dust and clutter gathering quickly. Closed cabinets are many real estate agents’ preference because they provide a clean, organized look.
Over-the-Top Vintage Fixtures
Vintage is great, but too many old fashioned fixtures can make a home feel outdated rather than charming. Antique light fixtures and faucets are a specialty of Nate Berkus, who has a knack for bringing a touch of nostalgia, but when a home looks like it’s from another era, buyers fear expensive updates.
Unusual Layouts of Statement Bathrooms
You may want your bathroom to feel special, but some Nate Berkus inspired designs take things to an extreme of what feels practical. Design magazines love bathrooms with funky layouts, oddly placed sinks or intricate vanities, but those can be puzzling to buyers. The bathroom layout can seem like an impractical one, but most buyers will put functionality ahead of glamour, especially in a space they use on a daily basis.
Too Much Wallpaper
If you’re looking for a way to make a statement in a room, wallpaper can be a fantastic way to do so, and Nate Berkus has used it to great effect to give spaces depth and interest. Wallpaper is always polarizing, especially if it’s got bold patterns. For example, a buyer may love the home, but hate the thought of having to strip floral walls that don’t work with their minimalist style. Buyers often view wallpaper as a chore, and real estate agents often advise against it because they believe it’s a chore to remove, and so it could lower the appeal of your home.
Concrete Countertops
Concrete countertops have become a rustic, industrial inspired element in kitchens and bathrooms. But concrete countertops, championed by Nate Berkus for their durability and interesting texture, can be high-maintenance for some buyers, prone to stains, chips and cracks. Some buyers may see them as a minus and they’re not as universally appealing as granite or quartz.
Custom Built Ins Everywhere
Custom additions can be functional and stylish, but too many can make a home seem like a custom job that a buyer wouldn’t want to take on. Nate Berkus likes built in nooks for books or an entertainment center, but too much storage on every wall can be limiting for someone else to use the space as they’d like. For example, a buyer who prefers minimalism may consider built ins to be bulky or limiting. Buyers who don’t like built-ins will mentally figure out how much it would cost to remove or reconfigure the space.
Repurposed or Salvaged Materials
Repurposing materials is a great way to go green and give character. Salvaged wood or vintage tiles used as decor has always been something Nate Berkus encourages. Yet repurposed materials can sometimes seem a bit too framed and rustic for buyers who want mostly shells, clean, and modern finishes. The biggest fear for buyers is that salvaged materials won’t last as long as new materials.
High Maintenance, Luxurious Fabrics
Nate Berkus is not short of those luxe elements in his designs, including velvet sofas and silk curtains, which look incredibly lush and luxurious. In homes with pets, kids or just regular traffic, such high maintenance fabrics can be impractical. These choices will look to prospective buyers and they will immediately begin to calculate the cost of replacing or maintaining them. If a home feels like it’s too much work to stay pretty, buyers may look elsewhere.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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