At Shop Home Styles, we believe in beautiful homes that work for real life, and that includes helping you make smart styling choices that protect (or even boost) your home’s value.
We recently teamed up with a panel of current and former estate agents, along with interior experts from across the UK, to uncover the most common interior styling mistakes that could be devaluing your home by up to £15,000 in some cases! From cluttered shelves to tired kitchens, it turns out a few small tweaks can make a major difference when it comes to first impressions and final offers.
Here’s what we learned and how to style your space for success.
1. Outdated Kitchen Tiles & Worktops
Potential value impact: £7,000
The kitchen is still the heart of the home and the first place buyers mentally tally up what needs fixing.
“Old, broken, dirty or generally out-of-date kitchen tiles and countertops can have a major impact on a home’s perceived value. In 2025, the kitchen is still considered the heart of the home and it’s often the deciding factor in whether someone makes an offer or walks away,” explains former estate agent across the South West, Lara Jones.
"While renovations are more popular than ever - thanks in part to social media fuelling a wave of DIY enthusiasm - the reality is that many buyers are still looking for homes they can move into straight away. With the rising cost of materials and labour, there are certain non-negotiables buyers simply won’t overlook. When they see old tiles or worn countertops, they often assume the entire kitchen needs replacing, which can mean a hefty cost in their minds.”
Pro tip: In reality, a low-cost refresh like high-street DIY worktops, peel-and-stick tiles, or even a deep industrial clean can dramatically improve the space’s appeal and increase a property’s value on the market.
2. Bold or Patterned Wallpaper
Potential value impact: £2,500
We love a bold wallpaper moment, but not all buyers will. Loud prints, textured wallpaper, and hard-to-remove wall coverings can be a turn-off for buyers, especially those short on time or budget.
“Buyers today want move-in-ready homes,” says Lara. “If they see a pattern they dislike, or worse, a wall they know they’ll need to strip and re-plaster, they start mentally subtracting from their offer.”
Pro tip: Swap loud prints for light paint or neutral wallpaper. A fresh coat of white or warm beige paint helps a space feel bigger and brighter and allows buyers to imagine putting their own stamp on it.
Interiors expert Liv Conlon agrees:
“That jungle-print wallpaper might reflect your personality, but it’s not everyone’s taste. Bold colours and loud patterns can dominate a room and alienate potential buyers. The goal is to create a warm, welcoming blank canvas with just enough character to be memorable - but never distracting.”
3. Dark or Moody Wall Colours
Potential value impact: £2,000
While deep tones might be Instagram-worthy, they can fall flat during a property viewing.
“Dark paint absorbs natural light, which can make even a spacious room feel cramped,” notes Lara. “Buyers are drawn to bright, airy spaces, and heavy tones work against that first impression.”
Pro tip: Swap moody for mood-lifting. Lighter colours open up a space and help reflect any natural light. Liv also recommends focusing on lighting layers:
“Even beautifully furnished rooms will fall flat if they’re poorly lit. Overhead lighting alone rarely sets the right tone. Ditch the 'big light' and use layered lighting - lamps, wall lights and accent lighting - to bring warmth and ambiance, particularly in living rooms and bedrooms.”
4. No Shower in the Bathroom
Potential value impact: £2,000
A bath-only setup might work for some but most modern buyers expect a quick and convenient shower option as well.
“It’s not just a preference, it’s about practicality,” one expert shared. “When buyers walk into a bathroom with just a bathtub and no visible shower fitting, many mentally calculate the cost of replacing the entire suite, even if the rest of the space is in good condition.”
Pro tip: A simple, cost-effective solution is to install a bath shower mixer set. It’s not a rainfall power shower, but it shows the space is functional. This small upgrade can make a huge difference in perception and it helps potential buyers see the bathroom as usable and saves them from assuming a full-scale refit is required.
5. Cluttered Open Shelving
Potential value impact: £1,500
We love open shelving for styling, but it can easily veer into clutter territory.
“Open shelving can be stylish, but when cluttered or overloaded, it gives a sense of limited storage and lack of organisation. Storage is one of the most important factors for buyers,” another expert from a national property site shares. “If shelves are packed, buyers assume there’s nowhere else to put things, which signals a practical issue with the property.”
Pro tip: Keep shelves tidy and minimal, with curated items spaced out for impact. Choose beautiful bowls, vases, or stacked books in a calm, cohesive colour palette. This will help the space feel intentional, calm, and most importantly, functional.
6. Forgetting to Stage
Potential value impact: Thousands over asking price
“You’ve decluttered, updated the furnishings, and styled your lighting - but if your surfaces are bare or overcrowded, you’ve missed the final stage,” shares Liv Conlon.
Staging is the final flourish that transforms a property from "liveable" to "desirable."
Liv continues, "These finishing touches are often what elevate a home from ‘nice’ to ‘must-have’ in a buyer’s mind. Staged homes can sell for tens of thousands over asking. If you don’t stage your home right, it could cost you the sale.”
Pro tip: Styling makes your home feel luxurious and polished. Think of coffee tables with curated books and a candle, console tables with matching lamps and mirrors. Avoid furniture that’s purely functional - choose showstopping styling pieces that add elegance and intention.
Bonus Tip: Tidy, Tidy, Tidy!
Potential value impact: Priceless first impressions
This might sound basic, but nothing puts buyers off faster than a house that looks or smells unclean.
Former estate agent Lara Jones reminds us that cleanliness, smell, and presentation can be just as important as layout or decor: “Light switches, greasy cabinets, dusty shelves, and stained tiles all give buyers the impression that the home hasn’t been properly cared for, which often makes them wonder what else might be wrong behind the scenes.”
And smell?
“Smell can be a massive factor. If a house feels musky, stuffy, or carries strong pet or food odours, it can instantly turn people off. It makes a property feel too lived-in and hard to imagine as their own.” she adds.
Pro tip: Before any viewing, give your home a thorough deep clean, paying special attention to areas like tiles, grout, light switches, and windowsills, which often get overlooked but make a big difference. Open the windows for 10 to 15 minutes beforehand to freshen the air and create a welcoming atmosphere. Consider lighting a subtle candle or using a soft diffuser in key rooms to add a pleasant, inviting scent without overwhelming potential buyers. Don’t forget to tidy inside cupboards and drawers, as buyers are likely to peek inside, and clutter-free storage signals a well-maintained home. Plus, decluttering now not only makes your home look calmer and more spacious but also makes packing up easier when it’s time to move.
Pro tip: Before any viewing, give your home a thorough deep clean, paying special attention to areas like tiles, grout, light switches, and windowsills, which often get overlooked but make a big difference. Open the windows for 10 to 15 minutes beforehand to freshen the air and create a welcoming atmosphere. Consider lighting a subtle candle or using a soft diffuser in key rooms to add a pleasant, inviting scent without overwhelming potential buyers. Don’t forget to tidy inside cupboards and drawers, as buyers are likely to peek inside, and clutter-free storage signals a well-maintained home. Plus, decluttering now not only makes your home look calmer and more spacious but also makes packing up easier when it’s time to move.
Good design should be both beautiful and practical. By partnering with our amazing panel of estate agents and sharing these insights, we hope to empower you to make smart styling decisions that enhance both your living environment and your property's worth.
