1. Butcher Block Countertops
As beautiful as they can be, butcher blocks are cheaper than stone, which is why so many flippers use them for renovations, says Remington Rand, a real estate agent and president of Rand Properties. While these counters look great when new, they turn off buyers who know that they can scar easily when you use them heavily. Also, around sinks can be challenging to seal and can allow water to creep in.
2. Mismatched Appliances
Sellers don't need to have the trendiest kitchen appliances to win over buyers, but the large appliances in the kitchen should at least match. A white refrigerator paired with a stainless steel oven or dishwasher may seem like a minor issue, but buyers will perceive clashing appliances as an extra expense to achieve the cohesive and aesthetically pleasing kitchen that they expect.
3. Older Appliances
Kitchen appliances have varying lifespans. So when a buyer notices a kitchen full of outdated appliances they'll immediately start seeing additional dollar signs. Old appliances in a home sometimes do not work or are on their way to the graveyard, and these can be big ticket items. Also, if those appliances are built-in, buyers could be looking at a partial or complete kitchen remodel in the future.
4. Fluorescent Box Lighting
Mood lighting is among the top kitchen trends designers are betting on to be big in 2025. Buyers tend to prefer warm lighting and can be put off by the harsh institutional lighting of fluorescent box lights, which creates an unwelcoming atmosphere and casts unflattering shadows. Layered lighting with recessed LED's, statement pendant fixtures, and under- cabinet lighting are all trending for 2025.
5. Oak Cabinets
Popular in the 1990's, orange-tinted oak cabinets date a kitchen and can lead buyers to think the kitchen is in need of renovation. The heavy grain and outdated color makes smaller kitchens feel cramped. Today's buyers are gravitating towards cabinets that are warm white, greige, or sage green with clean lines and minimal graining. They also appreciate soft-close hardware and organized storage solutions.
6. Overly Thematic Designs
A strongly themed or over-accessorized kitchen that seems too personal turns buyers off. Most buyers go in expecting to find a blank canvas where they can picture their own family get-togethers, and excessive decor- like a brilliant red "diner-style" theme replete with fake neon signs- may destroy that idea before they've even had a chance to investigate the rest of the room.
