Grey walls, fake grass, boarded-up fireplaces and white uPVC windows are among the popular home improvements that can actually make a property look older, according to a home maintenance expert.
Paul Kershaw, from Tradefix Direct, said these choices were once trendy but now risk dating a home. He offered practical advice for homeowners looking to renovate without falling into the same trap.
Choose Your Paint Wisely
Grey has been a go-to colour for homes for years, praised for being simple and easy to customise with colourful furnishings. However, Kershaw warns it looks cold in daylight and can fade quickly, making a home appear older and more worn.
For those thinking about repainting grey walls, he suggests switching light bulbs first. He said: “Warm white at 2700K makes the grey look softer, and a full room costs about £15.”
Keep Period Features Intact
When central heating became the norm, many UK homeowners blocked up their fireplaces. Now only 11% of homes still have them. As fireplaces become rarer, having one can add around 5% to a home's value.
If a chimney breast sounds hollow when gently tapped, the fireplace was likely covered with a board and can be opened up in an afternoon by a professional, costing around £500. The five percent increase could add up to £13,500 to the home's value.
Ditch the Fake Grass
Fake turf gardens, once a low-maintenance answer to muddy gardens, are falling out of favour. They flatten, fade and go grey, making a home look dated and cheap.
Kershaw suggests sweeping the turf backwards with a broom to stand the blades up, or removing it entirely. He recommends lifting a corner to check if it is laid over concrete, which could mean a pricey bill to dig it out before laying grass.
Choose the Right Windows
White plastic has been the default window frame for decades and is still in place in many UK homes. However, it can yellow in the sunshine, the seals are prone to greying, and the panels on white uPVC windows turn chalky in the rain, making windows look older than the rest of the home.
Kershaw said: "None of these were only about looks. Grey hid marks, the boarded chimney stopped the draught, fake grass helped with the mud, and white plastic replaced easily rotting frames. Every one of them was chosen to cut down the work, and that is exactly why they became trends."
He added: "But the trade has moved on since, and what fitters are putting in now is not what they were putting in ten years ago. If you are only making these decisions once every twenty years, ask what is actually being installed this month before you commit."
