5 common house features that put off buyers and make homes look cheap and tacky

5 common house features that put off buyers and make homes look cheap and tacky Here are five common living room design mistakes experts say you should address to give your space a more refined, polished look. Having a strong sense of personal style ultimately boils down to confidence and not fretting about what others think of your home. That idea lies at the heart of joyful decorating that's inspiring people to step away from designing purely with resale value in mind. Even so, this approach to decorating has its downsides: people will always have opinions, and interior designers are no exception. While your home should reflect your own taste and lifestyle, there are certain choices that many professionals would brand as cheap and tacky. Some of these trends weren't seen that way decades ago, but today they feel dated and can put off buyers. More often than not, what designers find unappealing comes down to items that look poorly made or overly generic, leaving a space feeling impersonal rather than genuinely lived in. When it comes to the living room, here are a few features that designers say you'd be better off ditching. Ensure our latest home decor headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings Faux gold Gold accents add warmth and a sense of luxury to any room, though they can start to look a little excessive over time. Samantha-Jane Agbontaen, interior designer and founder of House Designer, told Good Housekeeping, "Tacky gold accessories tend to look more yellow rather than polished brass. It is very clear when it is cheap." Fake gold tends to develop a yellowish tinge as the outer layer wears away, revealing the base metal beneath, which is usually brass. As everyday use and regular cleaning naturally accelerate this process, there is unfortunately very little you can do to prevent it from occurring. The designer offered an "expert tip" which is to "never mix chrome and brass together". She advises sticking to a single finish and ensuring it never becomes too overpowering. Overdoing the decor It's all too easy to accumulate a collection of beautiful and worthwhile pieces that each deserve a spot in your home. The difficulty is that this often results in having far too many decorations on show, which can overwhelm the eye and gradually turn your space into something chaotic rather than considered. Swati Goorha, principal interior designer and founder of Swati Goorha Designs, noted, "One thing I see regularly is a bunch of small decorative items that cover up all surfaces. Each of those items could have been meaningful to you, but there's so much going on visually. When you edit down your collections and show fewer intentionally placed pieces, it will make your space look cleaner, more thoughtful and refined." It's advisable to pare down your decorative display to just a select few standout pieces so they truly command attention. When you have plenty to show off, rotate items on a regular basis to keep the space feeling fresh and interesting. Matching furniture Although matching furniture is often purchased with the intention of bringing a room together, it could actually have the opposite effect, Samantha-Jane warned. She said, "In my opinion, matchy-matchy is a tacky move. Furniture, rugs, and curtains all from the same collection; it can look like a showroom, not a home. The fix is mixing designs; don't buy everything from one shop." While a showroom might appear to be the ideal look, these spaces often lack a personal touch. By mixing things up, you can inject more character into your home and craft a distinct atmosphere that truly reflects your personality. She also noted that designer branding can work against you: "One of the biggest tacky decor mistakes has to be logo-heavy or very branded soft furnishings, for example, multiple designer logo cushions arranged on a crushed velvet sofa. Instead, opt for quality textured cushions in neutral or complementary tones that add depth to your space." Harsh lighting Bright white ceiling lights can make a space feel "cold and cheap", according to home design enthusiasts at Ideas Home Accessories. They added, "This is one of the most common signs of tacky decor." Instead, they suggest opting for layered lighting. Combining floor lamps, table lamps, and warm bulbs creates a soft, inviting glow. Think of lighting as a mood-setter rather than simply a means of illumination. Warm lighting adds depth and makes any room feel far more welcoming. Small details Often, it's not the larger furnishings but the "small details that make a room feel tacky". Design specialists point out that it's elements such as trailing wires, worn-out décor, tired cushions, and mismatched fittings that create that "tacky" aesthetic. They argue that addressing these minor issues can "instantly upgrade your space", as it's the finer touches that give a room a polished, well-finished appearance. A simple way to identify what needs attention in your living room is to take a quick look around and make a note of anything that doesn't quite look right.