When done right, home improvement projects can boost your home value. Unfortunately, this is not always the case for many homeowners. If you’re the type who easily gets inspired by the DIY home improvement project videos you see on social media, you might want to hold off on your next DIY sesh. Here are some home improvement projects that might be bringing your home value down instead of boosting it.
Using too much wallpaper
Using wallpaper to create an accent wall is a great idea. It’s easy to install, inexpensive, and there are endless designs that you can choose from so finding one to match your preferred aesthetic will be easy. Using it in every room and on every wall, however, is a different story. It can make your home look tacky and cheap as well and removing it can be a huge nightmare.
Covering hardwood floors with carpet
Seeing beautiful hardwood floors hidden underneath old, dusty carpets will never not be heartbreaking. If you really feel like covering them up, at least do it without damaging them and use a rug instead. Carpeting adds no value to the home anyway. If anything, it could just bring your home value down.
An unnecessary swimming pool
We get it -- a home with a swimming pool is the ultimate flex. If you live somewhere cold like the east coast, though, a swimming pool will only end up being an unnecessary addition to your home. Even if you decide to go the bougie route and get a heated pool installed, maintaining one can be super expensive. For something that you won’t be able to enjoy for the most part of the year, it’s really just an unnecessary addition that won’t add any real value to your property. Some might even see it as a huge waste of space.
Converting the garage into something else
Using your garage as something else other than space to park your car in is a great way to make the most out of it. You can turn it into a home gym, a man cave, or even a studio for your hobby or your passion. However, try not to alter its layout too much to the point where it can no longer serve its original purpose which is to house your car. A spacious garage adds more value to your home than a makeshift studio or gym.
Over-the-top landscaping
A well-maintained lawn with some landscaping work done to it can boost curb appeal but going over the top could do the opposite. As the current homeowner, you might think having an ornate landscape design is ideal but, to someone who’s looking to buy the home, it might come off as too high-maintenance or just too much in general. Keep it clean and simple. Remember that not everyone is a fan of gardening like you which means they’re not going to want to take on the responsibility of maintaining that lawn.
There’s nothing wrong with improving your home to fit your style. If you’re planning on selling in the future, though, know that these home improvement projects might have to be redone or completely done away with to make it easier for the next homeowner to inject their own style into the home. Too much renovation and personalization could make it hard for other people to see themselves living in your home making it harder to sell in the future.