• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Interiors Addict

Heart Your Home

@interiorsaddict on Instagram   @interiorsaddict on Facebook   @interiorsaddict on Pinterest  
Subscribe
  • Job Board
  • About
  • Before & Afters
  • RENO ADDICT
  • Kitchens
  • Bathrooms
  • Kids Rooms
  • Bedrooms
  • Living Room
  • Shopping
  • Expert Tips
  • Recipes
  • Parenting
  • Travel
Interiors Addict
  • Job Board
  • About
    • Our Story

      Australia’s largest interior design, styling and renovation blog for the everyday Aussie. By former journalist and magazine editor Jen Bishop, the original interiors addict!
      READ MORE

      We’re big on Instagram!
      @interiorsaddict

      • About
      • Contact Interiors Addict
      • Work with Interiors Addict
      • Advertise / Find a job in Interiors
      • Press
    • Get Your Free Ebook

      This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
    • bookcover-jens-reno
  • By Room
    • Browse by Room

      Where you can search for all our posts about a specific room. Only interested in kitchens and bathrooms? We got you!

      • Kitchens
      • Bathrooms
      • Kids Rooms
      • Bedrooms
      • Living Room
      • Home Office
      • Dining
      • Laundry
      • Outdoor & Exteriors
      • Renting
    • bookcover-jens-reno
  • Before & Afters
    • Before & Afters

      Who doesn’t LOVE a good before & after? If you want to be inspired by the whole reno process, and not just the shiny photos at the end, this is the place for you!

      View Articles

      • Before & Afters
      • Jen’s reno
      • Real Renos
      • RENO ADDICT
    • DSC_0257Designing Wandarra: Breathing new life into a 1980s homestead
    • 20240206_185022-01Before & after: tiles steal the show in 90s kitchen revamp
  • Reno Addict
    • RENO ADDICT

      Looking for reno inspo? Find it all here, from other people’s projects to the latest trends, tools and products, whether you’re DIY-ing or employing trades.

      View articles

      • Reno Products
      • The Block
      • DIY
      • Reno Trends
      • Before & Afters
      • Real Renos
    • Northmead cube bathroomsDi Lorenzo Tiles open new showroom as family business thrives
    • AUS_TVC_DanishBlue_LadyGreyBT_2025_003_LRThink a beautiful kitchen has to cost a fortune? You’d be wrong!
  • Shopping
    • Shopping

      Want to know where to buy the latest furniture, homewares, rugs, art and more? We’re always sharing our latest finds and telling you where you can buy them.

      View Articles

      • Furniture
      • Homewares
      • Art
      • Smart Home
      • Appliances
      • Reno Products
    • kuddlava-table-lamp-pleated-white__1416409_pe975547_s5.jpgWhat’s new in furniture and homewares: June 2025
    • 20250516_DinosaurDesigns_SH_13_2035 2Vases the heroes in new Dinosaur Designs Bones collection
  • Inspiration
    • Inspiration

      While Jen’s a legitimate interiors addict, she’s no design professional, so she calls on an army of the country’s best to share their expertise with you. Be inspired by their stories too!

      View Articles

      • Decorating 101
      • Interviews
      • Expert Tips
      • Before & Afters
      • House Tours
      • Designers
      • Styling
      • Renovating
      • Real Renos
      • Covet my coffee table
    • r+r-coolangatta_rachaeltagg-0343A luxurious slice of Italy on the NSW South Coast
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle

      We’re mostly about the home but Jen also likes to share other things she thinks you’ll love, like food and travel.

      • Recipes
      • Travel
      • Parenting
    • Salted Choc PB PretzelFoodie Friday: Salted chocolate peanut butter pretzel cocktail
    • Muse marrakech Retreats Co Riad Botanica courtyardAussie in Morocco launches design retreat in Marrakech
  • Jobs
    • Advertise on our job board
    • Job Board FAQs for advertisers

Renovators beware: 7 top buyer turn-offs that are easily fixed

By Naomi Foxall •

FacebookPinWhatsAppEmailTweet

From asbestos to wallpaper, mould and landscaping issues, there are so many things that can dissuade people from purchasing a property. Therefore, it’s imperative that you don’t present a job half done. There’s often no point in completing a partial renovation if the rest of the property is a turn off to potential buyers.

 7 top buyer turn-offs that are easily fixedImage source: Bathroom designer

7 top buyer turn-offs that are easily fixed

 – Asbestos – Commonly found in the walls and ceilings of properties built prior to the 1980’s and 1990’s, asbestos has since been banned in Australia due to the health hazards it poses when the building material is disturbed. As such, it’s understandable that its presence in a home may deter a potential buyer. However, it’s a problem that can be easily and safely removed from a property by asbestos specialists and trade professionals in a way that will not cause harm to yourself or anyone involved in the process. Obviously, it can then be replaced with safe building materials.

– Mould – Mould can be a huge turn off when purchasing a property, but most mould can be removed. Firstly, find the source of the problem and repair it – reasons for mould and damp walls can be poor ventilation or damaged plumbing, to name a couple. If poor ventilation is to blame, install an exhaust fan, or if leaky pipes are the culprit, call a plumber to repair them. In addition, there are numerous products on the market that kill mould which is an important step. If the mould is simply cleaned up, it will reappear time and time again, no matter if there is a water issue or not.

– Wallpaper – Wallpaper can be considered a nightmare by potential buyers, but there are a couple of easy ways you can update or remove it. If you want to save the existing wallpaper, firstly check that there is no damage to it like tears or bubbling. Alternatively, if the paper itself isn’t heavily textured (as in a flocked or velvet finish) you can often just paint right over it. However, if removal is the only option there are two popular and effective ways to do so – one involves chemicals and the other steam. Using a stripper chemical can disintegrate the wallpaper which allows you to peel or scrape away the remaining wallpaper from the wall. Using a steamer loosens the glue underneath the wallpaper, allowing you to pull the rolls of wallpaper from the walls as you steam. These methods are usually two man jobs, and you should be super cautious about your safety!

– Messy landscaping – If your home has an overgrown, messy garden, this can be an easy fix – while there might be some hard work involved, the outcome is usually glorious. Strip back, hedge, prune and mow to get the yard in order. You will be amazed at the results of what a little “green decluttering” on the exterior can do. Your property can often look brand new!

– Too many bedrooms – It’s tough to imagine this could ever be a problem but some people are put off by the presence of too many bedrooms. Firstly, you must ask yourself – does your home feel out of proportion? This is a common problem for a lot of properties, especially when there are too many bedrooms and not enough living spaces. Make sure to look over the floorplan of the property – make note of how many bedrooms there are versus how many lounge spaces and bathrooms. Can you knock down a bedroom wall to create another lounge room? Can you convert a smaller bedroom into another bathroom or add an ensuite onto the master bedroom? Floorplan changes like this can make your property a lot more desirable to potential buyers.

 – Not enough bedrooms – Conversely, do you feel that there are not enough bedrooms to appeal to prospective buyers? Look at the floorplan and consider where you may be able to steal space from to create another bedroom. Do you have an overly large living area that you can steal from or a bedroom that is far too large?

– Dated kitchens and bathrooms – These are a massive turn-off for most people but they can be quite easy to modify. We have all seen the pastel pink and green baths, avocado green kitchen appliances, orange pine doors and brightly coloured splashbacks of the past. However, these things shouldn’t be an issue as gaudy colours can be fixed. There are numerous paint products on the market that are created especially for tiles, acrylic surfaces, laminates and benchtops and they come in whites and other neutral colours. For items like your toilets, basins, tapware and kitchen appliances, affordable replacements can be found in the marketplace too. These methods will instantly update a colourful kitchen or bathroom.

Naomi Findlay is one of our resident experts, principal of Silk Home and founder of the International Institute of Home Staging. Find out more about Naomi.

You can check out more of Naomi’s posts here

FacebookPinWhatsAppEmailTweet

May 16, 2017

Primary Sidebar

Popular This Week

  • Latest Kmart Home range, coming later this month

  • Australian bathroom standards: dimensions explained by an expert

  • What’s new in furniture and homewares: June 2025

  • Kmart’s latest homewares have hit stores: the key pieces

  • Check out Australia’s first full scale 3D printed house

Follow us on Instagram

Nestled among the rolling vineyards of the Shoalha Nestled among the rolling vineyards of the Shoalhaven area on the NSW South Coast, former Block contestants @rachelandryan Carr have transformed a tired rural property into a luxurious holiday retreat that feels like a slice of Italy. Surrounded by the natural beauty of gum trees and rural views, the property is designed to transport guests to the heart of Tuscany, blending the charm of the Australian landscape with the elegance and luxury of Italian design. 

See more on the blog now, via link in bio and stories.
Australia's first 3D printed house is complete! An Australia's first 3D printed house is complete! And this pair of duplexes look pretty stylish too! Ground floor is printed concrete and the top floor is made from lightweight modular panels.

Want to read all about it and see more pix? Comment '3d" and we'll send the article link straight to your DMs! Or find it on the homepage via link in bio.

#3dprinting #3dprinted #3dprintedhouse #3dprintedhome #3dprintedhomes #houseofthefuture #australianhomes #australianhousing
New @kmartaus home coming later this month and her New @kmartaus home coming later this month and here's a few of the standouts, with pricing and more info on the blog now, via link in bio.

Anything catch your eye?

#kmartaustralia #kmarthome #kmartaus #kmartstyling #affordablehomedecor
A custom look on a budget: we love how this rangeh A custom look on a budget: we love how this rangehood cover was fashioned from a piece of American oak benchtop!

This fresh coastal kitchen showcases some of @kaboodlekitchen's latest products to achieve a truly individual space, without paying a small fortune. V groove doors, premium wireware inserts and a concrete look benchtop make for a great combination that's at the same time on trend and timeless. 

See more on the blog now via link in bio and stories.

#flatpackkitchen #budgetkitchen #uniquekitchen #bluekitchencabinets #vgroove #kaboodle #kaboodlekitchen
Swipe for before An interior designer shares the Swipe for before 

An interior designer shares the clever ways they took this homestead from tired 80s to a welcoming country retreat for holidaymakers without spending a fortune or starting from scratch.

This fireplace became a beautiful focal point after a lick of paint, for example.

See more before and afters from @wandarra_homestead on the blog now via link in stories/bio.
How heavenly is AFL star @rhysstanley_'s home he s How heavenly is AFL star @rhysstanley_'s home he shares with wife @kirstenstanley_ and their young kids?!

When they first set eyes on an expansive acreage on Victoria's Surf Coast, they knew it was the perfect place to build their forever home and embrace working farm life. @studiohallihan helped them bring it all together perfectly!

Take the tour on the blog now, via link in bio and stories.

#modernfarmhousehomes #australianfarmhouse #workingfarm #surfcoastlife #foreverhomes #farmhousestylehome #geelongfootballclub #geelongcats
Brand new furniture in an 1877 house and IT WORKS! Brand new furniture in an 1877 house and IT WORKS!

@castleryau have named the talented stylist @stevecordony as their first Australian brand ambassador and he's curated a capsule of their furniture which he styled to perfection at his stunning country house @rosedale_farm 

I was lucky enough to see the pieces in situ last week and I honestly couldn't believe how well it all worked! They were going for accessible luxury and well, he delivered, and then some!

Head to the blog via link in bio to read more about the partnership.

#castlery #castleryau #stevecordony #rosedalefarm #affordablefurniture #australianstylist
If you pick your restaurants for the interior as m If you pick your restaurants for the interior as much as the food, you might want to add @pinosalmare  by @nicgrahamandassociates to your date night list! 😍

@smartstoneaustralia's stunning Calacatta Viola sintered stone surface features throughout, making a bold statement while being durable enough to be used in the busiest areas.

Inspired by Puglia, Pino's (named after the owner's father) in Cronulla has a real seaside vibe. The Smartstone was also chosen for the outdoor tables due to its UV stability.

#calacattaviola #smartstone #restaurantinteriors #restaurantinteriordesign #italianrestaurantsydney #engineeredstone #sinteredstone
SPA VIBES was the brief for this bathroom and @jas SPA VIBES was the brief for this bathroom and @jasminemcclellanddesign delivered. And then some!

"With a keen eye for design, they wanted their main bathroom to feel calm, spa-like and elevated with more storage, better layout, and soft, layered textures in a neutral palette. Lighting was another big focus, with the goal of creating a space that felt luxurious enough to unwind in, preferably with a glass of champagne in the bath.”

Is it a yay or a nay for you?

Head to the blog via link in bio/stories for all the suppliers as well as a look at the powder room with its bold wallpaper 😍

#spabathroom #zenbathroom #spavibes #bathroomremodels 

📸 @jonathantabensky
Follow on Instagram
Visit Jen's profile on Pinterest.

Get Your Free Ebook

Ebook cover

Never miss the latest renovating and interiors products, news and inspo again! Sign up for our newsletter and we'll send you the best bits from the blog, direct to your inbox. Plus you'll get our latest eBook: Just One Thing To Elevate Your Interior, featuring Australia's top design talent.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

About Naomi Foxall

Naomi Foxall is a freelance writer, content and social media manager, living on the NSW South Coast.

More from RENO ADDICT

Di Lorenzo Tiles open new showroom as family business thrives

Think a beautiful kitchen has to cost a fortune? You’d be wrong!

Stone Ambassador’s success story goes truly national

Quartzite is the new ‘it’ stone but it’s more than just Taj…

Mosman en suite gets “sexy, strong, girly and sophisticated” look

Save 20% on flooring in Kustom Timber’s EOFY sale

How Victorians can get a beautiful kitchen reno on a budget

Beautiful backyard transformation brings Italy to Bondi

Beaumont Tiles’ best ever hard flooring range is here

Promo Area

Footer

Interiors Addict

Interiors Addict

  • About
  • Contact
  • Work with Jen
  • Press
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure Policy

Browse

  • RENO ADDICT
  • Jen’s Reno
  • House Tours
  • Real Renos
  • Interviews
  • Styling
  • Designers
  • Bedrooms
  • Covet My Coffee Table
  • Expert Tips
  • The Block
  • Art
  • Furniture
  • Recipes

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RENO ADDICT

Copyright © 2011–2025 Addicted Media Pty Ltd
Website care by ClickWP · Log in