When ‘After’ Is Worse Than ‘Before’: Why Some Millennials Skew Toward Icky Renovations
Photo courtesy of True Life Design Co via Houzz
We get it. Finally landing your own home and putting a personal stamp on the decor is a big thrill.
But in the heat of the excitement, some younger buyers might do well to slow down and think things through a bit. Otherwise, the situation can quickly devolve to “bye-bye, charm; hello, boring” factory finishes and gallons of greige paint.
Of course, buying a home is a big, expensive deal. And there might not be enough money left for a complete and thoughtful renovation. But that doesn’t have to spell cringeworthy results.
So if you’re about to pull the trigger on a home remodel, be warned that diving headfirst into aggressive demos and trendy designs can be risky. Here are some common mistakes new homeowners make when renovating their spaces.
Using snoozy color schemes
Photo by King’s Court Builders, Inc.
Nearly nobody wants a purple kitchen or crazy orange guest room. But the trend of late seems to be banishing all hints of color in favor of basic beige or (shudder) 50 shades of drowsy gray.
“Gray color schemes have been done to death by millennials,” reports Adam Graham, an industry analyst at Fixr.
But why?
“Painting is easy and cheap, so DIYers do it a lot,” explains Tony Mariotti, a real estate broker and founder of RubyHome.
The results when done hastily are “horrible color schemes or no coordinated palette at all,” Mariotti says.
To avoid a whole house of ho-hum rooms, live in your home for a while before leaping to the paint store for a trendy shade. And consider playing with an app to test out the colors you’re considering.
Swapping hardwood for vinyl
They don’t make ’em like they used to—but that’s not stopping some millennials from ripping out gorgeous, old wood floors in favor of factory-produced vinyl planks.
“Millennials might find old-looking floorings, like hardwood or tile, not to their liking,” says Graham.
Snapping up a brand-new look, such as vinyl, might be tempting. But if you cheap out on your flooring material, it could cost you in the long run.
“It can be a big mistake, since some choices are much less durable,” Graham adds. Certain varieties of flooring can become damaged or discolored within just a few years.
When in doubt, stick with wood floors.
“Real hardwoods are always a better option that brings warmth and character to your home—vinyl just feels cheap,” says Lauren Alexander, a real estate broker with Sotheby’s International Realty in Charlotte, NC.
So try not to fall for floors that are shiny and new over ones that might be a bit faded and older.
Instead, consider refinishing your existing wood floors. Or research new floors carefully to fully understand how durable they are (or aren’t).
Nixing vintage vibes for bland ones
Photo by Janus Custom Building Products
Some millennials love a granny-chic, vintage look. But many are removing classic fixtures in favor of a more modern aesthetic, says Graham.
“What some consider charming, others feel is simply out of date,” he says.
But before you pry out that funky faucet and install the same shiny brass model everyone else has, compare the quality of the two options. An older, better-made tap might last longer and wear better than the new version you’ve been eyeing.
“New homeowners and future buyers do want updates, but they also want strategically incorporated vintage pieces that speak to the home’s history,” points out Alexander. “And once you erase those features, you can’t get them back.”
Creating a ‘Frankenstein’ home
Mixing styles—inside or outside—is a rookie faux pas. But millennials aren’t the only offenders; it’s a blunder that cuts across demographics.
A “classic mistake in Los Angeles is reroofing a midcentury modern home with Spanish-Mediterranean tiles, which isn’t a great look,” Mariotti reports.
And on the inside, he sees “renovations in just one part of the house, where one room is 2023 and the rest is 1970s.”
So if you’re worried you’ll create a “Franken-house,” sit with your budget and design plans. That way, you can improve your rooms in a style that meshes well or at least flows with some decorating strategy.
Going too trendy
We all get sucked into home design trends. But your space won’t age well if you buy into too many of them, the pros say.
So, what are some fads that make certain designers a little twitchy these days? Please see: open shelving, barn doors, and shiplap.
“Boho is getting a little tired, too, and if I see this ox photo from Ikea one more time, I’m going to lose it,” says Alexander.
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