Millennials have faced significant challenges in entering the property market, but those who have succeeded are being warned not to diminish the value of their first purchase by excessively incorporating trends from Pinterest and Instagram.
Young homeowners are increasingly harking back to the 1970s by painting their bathrooms avocado green.
The vintage color palette might evoke fond memories of their childhood homes, but specialists caution that it might not be a wise investment choice.
Real estate professionals and renovation specialists advise that such a distinct color choice might deter potential buyers when the time arises to sell the home.
Others also argue that homeowners may think the color is fresh and exciting for a few months, but they may soon become bored.
‘Avocado green can quickly become tiring. What looks fresh now is going to look tired in a few months, to the point where you might hate going into your own bathroom,’ Rick Berres, owner of remodeling company Honey Doers in Minnesota, told Realtor.com.
However, for homeowners whose hearts are already set on the shade of green, Berres advises going for small, inexpensive touches before plunging head first into a full bathroom makeover.
‘Don’t get an avo green tub, but you can start with some towels, a mat, and a shower curtain,’ Berres suggested.
Young homeowners are increasingly harking back to the 1970’s with avocado green
‘You may find that this adds the appropriate amount of this trendy color, and if you get tired of it in six months, no harm done.’
Berres said starting small can avoid the costly penalty of having to undo the damage, which could land you with a bill somewhere between $2,500 and $8,000.
Other designers argue that while avocado green does well on Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok, it can appear dated and even geriatric in reality.
‘Trends go in a 40- to 50-year cycle. Avocado green was really popular in the mid-’70s, so it makes sense that it’s a thing again in 2025,’ North Carolina designer Andress Eichstadt told Realtor.com.
However others argue an updated bathroom is a good idea, despite the color.
‘A bold and outdated bathroom will turn off the most people,’ North Carolina Sarah Bronstein told the publication.
‘However, an updated bathroom with a well-designed, bold aesthetic may be a solid long-term investment.’
‘I think when used in classic and intentional ways, any color can last,’ she added.
The color can give a nostalgic feel as many remember it from their grandparents’ home
Andress Eichstadt, Staging Studio CEO, is not surprised the color is popular now
Remodeler Rick Berres advises trying small touches rather than getting a green bath tub
Sarah Bronstein, designer at Sukkha Interior Design, is not anti the color if done properly
Realtors have also warned against other bold paint and color tiles.
‘Bright colored stone or tile, an all-black bathroom, or bright blue cabinets in the kitchen will appeal to very specific taste and are not easily or inexpensively undone,’ New York real estate broker Lisa K. Lippman told the realtor website Melissa Stevenson.
Although paint is easier to undo than other renovation jobs, buyers can still be put off by the time and expense it would take to repaint.
‘Painting your home, either the interior or exterior, in non-neutral colors can decrease the value of your home,’ realtor Chris Fajkos, from Tahoe, California told the outlet.
