Avoid popular property trend which could 'devalue' your home in 2025

It is easier said than done selling a home (Image: Getty)

The New Year is soon approaching, and while many people are thinking ahead to 2025, it is also a time to reflect and make big decisions.

Moving home is stressful, both in selling up and finding somewhere suitable to live. However, new research has revealed that Brits will pay an average of five percent less for a home that features colours they don’t like.

With the average property price in the UK now £302,000, this means a poor choice of colours could be costing homeowners upwards of £15,000 when they come to sell.

What’s more, almost a fifth of Brits believe a bad colour scheme, either on the inside or outside of a property, knocks more than 10 percent off the value of a property. This means the cost of poor colour choices on sellers could be even greater.

Michael Rolland, managing director and paint expert at The Paint Shed has shared the things that will devalue a property in 2025.

Trying to sell up is never easy (Image: Getty)

Failing to do touch-ups

Rolland said: “Even if you don't repaint your walls entirely, it's important to do touch-ups on a property before looking to sell. Scuffed or chipped paintwork can significantly impact a buyer’s perception of the property.

"A well-maintained paint job boosts the home's perceived value, suggesting that it has been cared for and is in good condition.

"In contrast, visible wear and tear—such as scratches, marks, yellowing woodwork or fading paint—while normal, can make the home appear older and neglected, potentially turning off prospective buyers."

Painting over mould

The pro explained: “Though this has been a trend on social media, painting over mould does not get rid of the problem, it only temporarily hides it.

"Mould spores can penetrate through paint, leading to continued growth beneath the surface. If left untreated, this can reportedly lead to respiratory issues, allergies, or asthma attacks; it can also cause structural damage to the affected area.

"Applying anti-mould paint over existing mould will not fully eradicate the issue, as mould can persist beneath the surface and continue to pose health risks. Properly dealing with the underlying moisture issues (and possibly even consulting with a professional mould specialist) is essential to solve your mould problem.”

Painting over mould should be avoided (Image: Getty)

The colours most likely to devalue homes:

Yellow

The research, which was conducted by aluminium doors and windows manufacturer, Origin’s, state-of-the-art powder coating centre, found that Brits consider yellow to be the cheapest-looking colour when incorporated into a property. This is a concern for sellers, given that 10 percent of homes in Britain currently feature a yellow colour scheme, according to the study.

Pink

‘Peach Fuzz’ may be Pantone’s colour of the year, but heavy use of the colour could risk devaluing a home too, with research showing that pink tones are considered the ‘tackiest’ way to decorate a home.

Neutrals

Playing it safe with beige could also impact a property’s price, with Brits dubbing a neutral palette the most ‘boring’. This is closely followed by grey, with the once coveted colour fast losing favour amongst homeowners.

Google searches for grey homes have dropped by over two-thirds since 2021. The research also investigated which colour palettes can aid a house sale.

The colours most likely to add value to homes:

White

White was voted both the classiest and most expensive-looking colour, making it a great choice for those looking the maximise the value of their property.

Blue

For those who prefer a pop of colour, blue shades are a great option. The research found that blue is considered to be the most stylish colour to incorporate in a home. It’s also one of the most commonly used colours in British homes, with over a quarter of properties featuring blue colour schemes.

Red

With the ‘unexpected red’ interior trend taking social media by storm, bold reds could also add value to a property. The colour was voted the most daring by Brits, making it a great option for those looking to add some ‘wow factor’ to their property.

Ben Brocklesby, colour expert at Origin, said: “At Origin, we’ve been studying colour for over 20 years to perfect our aluminium powder coating. Given our homes are usually our biggest financial asset, we were interested to find out more about the latest colour trends and how they are impacting the value of homes across Britain.

“It’s fascinating to see the stereotypes attached to certain colour palettes, particularly shades like pinks and neutrals which are used in so many homes but appear to be falling out of favour.

"However, it’s encouraging to see that Brits remain open to the use of bold colours both inside and outside their properties, with our research showing that blue and red tones are being coveted by style-conscious house buyers in 2024.”