Millennials have had a hard time getting on the property ladder, but those who have managed it are being advised not to squander their first investment by bringing in their Pinterest and Instagram aesthetics. 

Young homeowners are increasingly harking back to the 1970s by painting their bathrooms avocado green.

The retro hue may be nostalgic for many, taking them back to their parents or grandparents’ homes, but experts are warning it is not a safe investment.

Realtors and renovation experts have cautioned that such a unique color could put off prospective homebuyers when it comes time to sell the property. 

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‘A bold and outdated bathroom will turn off the most people,’ North Carolina Sarah Bronstein told the publication.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.