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From marble to black tiles: 5 renovations that slash property prices
A new sentiment analysis by Cooper & Co showed that some popular renovation trends, such as laminated flooring, open-plan layouts, marble countertops, or black finishes, could reduce property values by up to 4 per cent, or $36,000.
The study found that more than one in three, or 38 per cent, Australian renovation regrets stemmed from high-maintenance finishes, with 24.6 per cent caused by functionality problems and 16.3 per cent by outdated aesthetics.
According to property strategist and buyer’s agent, Rasti Vaibhav, as property prices continue to rise, buyers have become more mindful of their future dwellings and have been evaluating each feature more carefully.
“In today’s market, buyers are calculating risk at inspection. If something looks high maintenance, dates quickly, or feels expensive to fix, they are not just noticing it; they are pricing it in,” Vaibhav said.
“Avoid renovations that create buyer uncertainty.”
Head of homewares at Cooper & Co., Katherine Stanley, said that home owners have a tendency to get swept up in design trends that look great at the time, without a long-term perspective.
“But what feels fresh today can feel tired surprisingly fast. As a homeware and furniture brand, we see how quickly design cycles move. When a space leans too heavily into a short-lived trend or high-maintenance finish, it can lose its sense of longevity,” Stanley said.
“Taking a more considered and intentional approach, and choosing finishes that balance style with practicality, helps ensure a home feels current for longer while also protecting its long-term value.”
Here are the top five mistakes to avoid while renovating a property:
1. Cheap laminate flooring
While laminate flooring can be a great alternative, Vaibhav said that poor-quality laminate can result in the greatest potential loss in value, reducing the property price by $18,000 to $36,000 on a $1 million home, depending on market conditions.
“Flooring has one of the largest visual surface areas in a property and can set the tone at inspection.”
“And laminate can visually signal ‘cost-cutting’ renovation. If it sounds hollow, shows edge swelling or scratches easily, buyers immediately anticipate future replacement costs.”
“If the floors feel temporary, the entire home can feel less substantial.”
Vaibhav said that using hybrid, engineered timber, or quality vinyl plank flooring in neutral, matte finishes can enhance durability and appeal to a wider range of buyers, protecting long-term value.
2. Marble countertops
While synonymous with prestige properties, marble countertops can often feel impractical for families, limiting appeal in mid-market Australian homes, potentially reducing a $1 million property’s value by $10,000–$30,000.
“Marble is visually luxurious, but it’s porous and prone to staining and etching,” Vaibhav said.
“In family homes, buyers prioritise durability and low maintenance over aesthetic prestige. If the surface shows wear, they mentally factor in replacement costs and inconvenience.”
Instead of marble, Vaibhav encouraged owners to use porcelain slabs, engineered stone, or high-quality quartz surfaces, which offer similar visual appeal but with greater durability.
3. Open layouts
While still popular and commonly found in Australian homes, open plans could cost sellers between $10,000 to $30,000 on a $1 million home due to a lack of privacy and poor acoustic separation.
“The value risk is highest when open plan reduces the home’s ability to serve multiple lifestyles,” Vaibhav said.
“Many buyers now want flexibility. Rooms they can close off for work, study, or control noise levels. If the layout limits that flexibility, demand narrows.”
According to Vaibhav, trends have been shifting toward ‘broken-plan’ designs, which use subtle dividers to create functional zones within open-plan spaces.
He recommended features such as partial walls, archways, sliding doors, or varied ceiling heights to define areas while maintaining light, privacy, and reduced visual clutter.
4. Dark finishes and surfaces
While black countertops and darker floor tiles have a great styling effect, they can be a turnoff for buyers, especially in homes with little natural light, costing sellers between $5,000 and $24,000 on a $1.2 million home.
Similarly, black appliances, such as countertops or sinks, have been perceived as high-maintenance, prone to water marks, fingerprints, and dust.
“Buyers pay for how a home feels. If it feels dark or cramped, even subconsciously, they adjust their offer,” Vaibhav said.
He added that during renovation, black tiles should be used sparingly as an accent, or switched for dark grey or charcoal textures, paired with good lighting to balance and brighten the space.
5. Trendy patterns and intricate finishes
While sellers make their homes as they like, Vaibhav said that highly specific finishes, such as penny tiles or heavy grout, can age quickly and narrow the buyer pool, potentially reducing the value of a $1 million home by $5,000 to $20,000.
“What feels bold today can feel costly to reverse tomorrow. Intricate finishes and textures are harder to keep clean and appear visually ‘busy’, meaning higher maintenance and more opportunity for discolouration over time.”
Similarly to darker features, he encouraged using patterned tiles and finishes sparingly, pairing them with larger-format tiles and minimal grout contrast for longer-term resale flexibility.
In addition to the main renovation regrets, the survey found that minor details such as open shelving, white grout, matte-black tapware, and worn white cabinetry were also on buyers’ minds.
While rarely altering valuations directly, Vaibha said they can contribute to cumulative buyer hesitation.
“Keep permanent features like floors, benchtops, tiles, and layout broadly appealing. Add personality through items that are easier and cheaper to change later. That approach protects both lifestyle and resale value,” he concluded.
