5 Kitchen Upgrades to Skip if You're Trying to Sell Your Home Fast

There is a long checklist to get through when you're preparing to sell your home. You have to get your property appraised, make any necessary repairs, and spruce up your curb appeal to make the best first impression. Some homeowners even consider making upgrades ahead of listing their properties, in hopes that will boost the sale price considerably.

But before you renovate your home to impress potential buyers, we have a warning. Certain design choices can actually hurt your home's value and the chances of a speedy sale. Kitchens are highly personal, and every buyer has their own preferences and vision of the space, says Zillow's trend expert, Amanda Pendelton. “In general, Zillow research finds kitchen renovations deliver some of the worst returns on investment—about $0.50 on the dollar,” she explains. “Some buyers are home chefs and entertainers, and they’ll want all the bells and whistles, while other buyers may prefer ordering takeout and don’t want to pay for that top-of-the-line steam oven you just installed.”

Of course, resale value isn't the end-all-be-all of decision-making factors. If you love sunshine yellow cabinets (and you're going to be using them for years to come), go ahead and paint them! But if you're renovating to sell, or thinking about future property and resale value, these are the design choices you'll want to skip.

Silver Hardware

Silver may have made a comeback this last year in the world of fashion and jewelry, but in interiors, it's still the least desirable hardware finish. Zillow research finds listings with satin nickel hardware or fixtures get 34 percent fewer saves per day and 36 percent fewer shares per day on Zillow. However, chrome finishes fare better in the housing market. Homes with chrome hardware or fixtures only get 19 percent fewer saves per day and 18 percent fewer shares per day.

Oak Cabinets

Wood cabinets are divisive: Some are beloved, while others are despised, and it all depends on the finish of the wood. While white oak, ash, and paler tones are popular, especially in Scandinavian design, orange-hued oak doesn't fare as well, and often seen as dated. Homes with oak cabinets get 9 percent fewer saves per day and 10 percent fewer shares per day on Zillow—and sell for 0.8 percent less than similar homes. But it’s not just oak. Listings with wood cabinets get 7% fewer saves per day and 9% fewer shares per day. Painted cabinets or modern cabinet doors are the way to go when it’s time to sell.

Onyx Stone

A yellowish, orange stone, often with brown and white veining, onyx is a controversial countertop and backsplash choice. It's bold, but it's not as durable or functional as quartzite or granite, which makes potential buyers wary. For-sale listings with onyx get 22 percent fewer saves per day and 25 percent fewer shares per day than similar homes.

Yellow Paint

Bold, colorful kitchens may be show stopping from an interior design perspective, but personality-forward design can scare potential buyers off. Selecting the wrong paint colors could cost you when it’s time to sell. We recommend neutrals like white, navy, and even warmer tones like brown and beige to boost your kitchen's universal appeal. Zillow’s research finds homes with a bright yellow kitchen command offers that are $2,125 less than expected on a typical U.S. home.

Tile or Laminate Countertops

Laminate countertops are a common, budget-friendly renovation option, but potential buyers will take the choice as the homeowners cutting corners. Tile counters are great, and we're partial to the aesthetic, but they are notoriously difficult to clean and maintain over time. Home shoppers aren’t willing to pay a premium for either of these materials. Homes with laminate countertops can sell for 1.1% less than expected, and buyers pay 1% less for homes with tile countertops, according to Zillow research.