O
ne of the biggest advantages of owning a home is the ability to customize it to your liking. Whether you're building from scratch or renovating an existing space, designing a home that meets your needs can make living in it much more enjoyable. However, if you ever need to sell your home, consider how your design choices might impact its value and appeal to potential buyers.

    As Kimberly Jay, a broker at Compass in New York City, notes, "You're selling something where buyers can see themselves living." Designs that may be perfect for you might not resonate with others, potentially decreasing the value of your home. Experts have identified several design moves that could hurt your home's value:

    1. Replacing bathtubs with showers: Some buyers prefer soaking in tubs, while others prefer showers. However, removing a bathtub can be a turn-off, especially for families with young children.

    2. Installing pools or hot tubs: While they may seem like great amenities, pools and hot tubs can be major liabilities due to maintenance costs, insurance liability, and the risk of accidents.

    3. Creating closed floor plans: Wide-open spaces were once popular, but now buyers often prefer floor plans that allow for natural light and visibility between rooms.

    4. Subtracting bedrooms or bathrooms: Removing these essential features can make your home less appealing to potential buyers and reduce its value.

    5. Going overboard on kitchen appliances: While a state-of-the-art kitchen can be a dream come true, installing too many high-end appliances may not appeal to all buyers and could even intimidate them.

    6. Adding bulky built-ins: Built-ins can be beautiful, but they can also limit the flexibility of your home's layout and make it harder for future owners to use the space as they see fit.

    7. Having subpar home improvements: DIY projects or hiring unqualified contractors can result in shoddy workmanship that hurts your home's value.

    8. Building additions that don't make sense: Adding an addition without considering its impact on your home's functionality and resale value can be a costly mistake.

    9. Creating contrasting exterior and interior styles: A mismatched style can confuse potential buyers and make them question the quality of your home.

    10. Customizing bathrooms and kitchens too much: While personal touches are nice, over-the-top designs may not appeal to future owners and could even decrease your home's value.

    11. Choosing materials that aren't durable: Selecting materials that show wear and tear quickly can be a turn-off for potential buyers.

    12. Creating dedicated spaces: Turning the basement into a bar or dedicating rooms to specific uses can limit the flexibility of your home and make it less appealing to future owners.

    13. Going overboard in the garden: While a beautiful garden is lovely, too many garden beds can make a buyer question the maintenance requirements.

    14. Installing unusual flooring: Flooring that's outside the norm may not appeal to all buyers and could even be a turn-off.

    15. Adding carpet in the wrong areas: Carpet near water sources or in basements can be a major liability due to moisture issues.

    16. Adding anything with a long-term contract: Integrating systems like solar panels or other long-term contracts can complicate sales and potentially leave your home open to liens.