Hoping to sell your house this summer and want to secure a good price? There are five interior design trends to avoid, an expert warns.
While summertime viewings are considered top tier, curating a home based on summer 2025's favourite trends could be off-putting.
According to Madison and Mayfair's lead interiors expert Kate Conrad, "some popular summer looks might actually undermine the long‑term value and appeal of your property".
Here, she shares five decor styles worth thinking twice about before making a costly decision, plus what to go for instead.
Bold colour palettes
"Whilst wallpaper and paint can be changed fairly easily, the wrong first impression can really put off prospective buyers.
"Painting a room a bold colour such as charcoal or midnight blue can be striking when done well, but it's also risky. It can make spaces feel smaller, especially if natural light is limited, and it can overwhelm buyers with a too-personal atmosphere.
"To get it right, opt for using deep colours as accents – not dominants – and make sure you balance dark walls with lighter flooring, furnishings, or mirrors to open up spaces.
"Make sure to keep dark palettes in rooms that lend themselves to cosiness, such as a powder room, a library or a study."
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|Choose your paint colours wisely to avoid a bad first impression
Ceiling-mounted sculptural lighting
"These bold statement fixtures double as art installations and are often oversized and asymmetrical. They can work incredibly well as statement pieces, making rooms truly memorable.
"However, these can often be too large or bold, feeling much too overwhelming in small rooms, or disrupting a space's flow. And of course, art is subjective, which means it can easily clash with future buyers' tastes.
"Instead, opt for floor or table sculptural lamps which aren't fixed, allowing you to take advantage of the elegance and uniqueness of these pieces without the risk."
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|'Art is subjective, which means it can easily clash with future buyers' tastes'
Fixed banquettes or dining nooks
"Fixed banquettes can create cosy and tailored dining spaces, and can work particularly well in open-plan spaces, adding charm and character.
"However, as these are fixed, they won't adapt well if the room layout or style needs to change, and they might deter buyers who prefer more traditional tables and chairs.
"You could still consider fixed banquettes for small family kitchens and bay window spaces, for instance, making the most of small and awkward areas. It's particularly ideal if you have an existing dining area and want to create another dining or entertaining area that feels a bit more special.
"Make sure you choose a timeless design, and that they are located in spaces where traffic flow isn’t compromised. Pair with a table that can be swapped out if needed."
Open shelving or 'naked' kitchens
"This trend swaps traditional cabinets for exposed shelves. It can certainly make spaces feel larger, modern and more open, and show off gorgeous tableware collections, adding flair.
"However, these can quickly appear cluttered if they are not regularly organised. Larger families might struggle with this design, particularly high-usage kitchens where more storage is required. This can put off a large number of buyers with different needs.
"If you have a smaller kitchen where traditional upper cabinets could overwhelm the space, then it's certainly an option, and mixing open shelving with some traditional cabinetry can be another solution."
Media walls
"While media walls [walls that have a TV mounted on] are increasingly popular, they can risk devaluing your home if they're overly dominant, highly personalised, or clash with the architectural style of the space.
"Buyers may see them as bulky, inflexible, or difficult to update as technology evolves. In smaller rooms, they can overwhelm the layout, and in character homes, they may feel out of place.
"To make a media wall work for you and future buyers, keep the design simple, neutral, and proportionate.
"Opt for timeless materials like wood, plaster or matte finishes, and avoid trend-driven lighting or bold colours. Consider modular or semi-integrated units instead of fully built-in structures."
If you don't have an eye for it, interior design can be a minefield. A second expert named the "strongest" trend to incorporate now for an elevated space and higher property value.