What worked in 1980 doesn’t necessarily work in 2012. Don’t believe us?
Look in your closet. Chances are, you’ve weeded out the parachute pants, leg warmers and shoulder pads.
Similarly, interior design choices are cyclic. Even expensive, must-have features eventually become outdated and need to be replaced.
Is your home stuck in a time warp? That’s fine, if that’s what you like. But if you’re contemplating selling, you’ll want to eliminate the generation gap between your house and potential buyers.
Where to start? These 10 outdated features are among the biggest offenders.
Colored porcelain
Toilets should not be red or pink or black or blue or green. This should go without saying, but neither should your sink or bathtub.
Think white. If not white, think bisque. Just say “no” to the bathroom rainbow.
Mauve
This color was hot in the 1980s and 1990s. Dusty rose found its way into homes via carpeting, furniture, drapery, bedding and wall color.
What’s this season’s “it” color? The folks at Pittsburgh Paints suggest a palette made of red berries, modest muted stone and solid, reliable brown.
Of course, if you’re intent on selling, neutrals are still the safest way to go.
Wood paneling
This once-popular wall covering will send potential home buyers running the other way (unless, perhaps, it’s solid, well-cared-for wood in a traditional cabin in the woods).
You can paint over the wood grain, but you’ll be left with the telltale grooves of the paneled surface. You can skim the paneling with plaster, sand, prime and paint to make it look like drywall.
A more expensive, time-consuming option is to remove the paneling and rebuild or repair the underlying walls.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
Please follow Your Money on Twitter and Facebook.