Guest Post by HomeAdvisor

Are you considering making some kitchen improvements? Or investing in an entire kitchen remodel? If so, make sure that you invest your money carefully. While some kitchen trends might appeal to you, they may not appeal to others — homebuyers, in particular. Here are some kitchen trends we suggest avoiding:

#1 Mixing metals

Never mix metals in your kitchen. Go all bronze, all copper or all stainless steel, but don’t put them arbitrarily together. This may look a little too eclectic for the average homebuyer, and you don’t want to have to replace hardware or fixtures.

#2 Creating your own counters

You might think that creating your own concrete counters will save you money, but it could actually do more harm than good. Instead, hire a professional. Or, look into alternatives like granite, quartz and other solid surface materials, which are also long lasting and visually appealing.

#3 Imitation open shelving

Open shelving is really big right now — everything’s in open view. But simply taking the doors off of your cabinets isn’t going to cut it. In fact, it looks amateur and will make buyers wonder why it was done. If you really want open shelving, install actual open shelving. Or, go with glass-door cabinets.

#4 Using “fake wood” in the kitchen

Cabinet door materials like particleboard and vinyl and wood veneer may seem cost-effective, but they often look cheap and detract from the overall value of your kitchen as a result. Plus, these “fake wood” materials can sometimes come with more maintenance and repairs than you want to deal with. When it comes to your kitchen cabinets, invest in the best materials possible.

#5 Going for an industrial look

The Industrial look — stainless steel counters, exposed ducting and bulbs, and metal shelves or cabinets — is on its way out. Unless you’re living in a loft, skip the exposed Edison bulbs and aluminum shelving and opt instead for lively materials that feel cozy and welcoming. If you need style ideas for your kitchen, talk to an experienced kitchen designer.

#6 Hiding your appliances

Specially created cabinets or “garages” take up a lot of counter space. Instead of wasting money on this, just store the moveable appliances in cabinets or cut down on how many you have. Keep the ones you use most often on the counter, but make sure it doesn’t look cluttered.

#7 Creating kitchen nooks

In the old days, kitchens nooks were dedicated to telephones, pull-down desks and other items. Nowadays, most people don’t use landlines — and most don’t want a desk in the kitchen either. If you have a nook, think about removing it. And certainly don’t add one;  it will only take up space that could be used more effectively.

#8 Diversifying appliance colors

Every year, appliance companies release products in trending colors. Don’t put stock in these. Instead, stick with reliable stainless steel — or go with black or white. And, when it’s time to sell, you won’t have to spend additional money refinishing or replacing the appliances.

#9 Wasting island space

A purposeful island is the perfect complement to a large kitchen. But if the island doesn’t have a strict purpose, it may serve only to obstruct the flow of the room. Make sure your island has a  clear purpose. Add a sink, a stove or counter space — whatever works best for the space and your budget.

Andrea Davis is the editor at HomeAdvisor, which connects homeowners with home improvement professionals in their area for free. Connect with Andrea on Google+