Staging a Home? These 5 Design Trends Could Actually Turn Buyers Off

Gray Everything

Gray was a major trend for years, and while some shades of gray may have fallen back into favor, according to Grace, it’s best to avoid too much gray when staging a home. “I steer clear of overly minimal, gray-everything spaces,” she says. “That trend has had its moment, but now it just reads as cold and lifeless—and emotion is everything when selling a home.”

Bold Paint Colors

Bold paint colors can be beautiful, but aren’t the best choice for a staged property. “While bold wall colors can reflect personality, they’re almost always the wrong choice for staging,” explains Jackie Popper, Principal of Stage a Space in Long Island, New York. “They reflect an owner’s personality and style and can distort scale and balance in a room.”

Instead, opt for earthy neutral hues. The designer personally likes soft white, greige, and warm taupe. “These shades feel calm, current, and versatile across design styles—from modern to traditional—and they photograph beautifully,” Popper says, explaining how listing photos, as well as in-person stagings, play an important role in getting a home sold.

Wallpaper

Wallpaper can be just as divisive as it is stylish. After all, while one buyer might be charmed by an antique toile print, another could associate it with that grandmother who was never nice to them. 

Popper explains that wallpaper is simply too strong a choice for staging and advises removing it before putting the home on the market. “Removing wallpaper will help neutralize a space, allowing buyers to imagine their own style in the home,” she says. “If that’s not feasible, painting over it in a neutral shade can help tone things down and create a more unified look.”

Dated Light Fixtures

Boob lights, be gone! “Light fixtures act like jewelry for a home—they’re small details that make a big design impact,” Popper says. “Choosing simple, tasteful, on-trend fixtures helps buyers see the home as updated and move-in ready.”

The pro stager suggests removing and replacing any fixtures that feel dated. “Opt for clean-lined designs in popular finishes like matte black, brass, or brushed nickel that suit a range of styles and spaces.”

While light fixtures can be pricey, there are plenty of affordable options on the market—especially in simple, neutral styles—making it well worth the small investment to swap them out.

Window Treatments

A sun-flooded property will easily sell, but a dark home may sit without many offers. So, kill the curtains to maximize the sunlight. 

Popper recommends removing window treatments before staging a home. “Window treatments are style-specific and can immediately date a home,” she says. “Older or heavy window treatments can block natural light, making rooms feel smaller and darker.”

If removing window treatments isn’t entirely possible, make sure those dated blinds are pulled up and those old valances are removed.