26. Shag Carpet
Year of Popularity: 1970s Est. Cost: $5-$15
per square foot* Shag carpeting was all the rage in the 1970s, and it was hard to find a home without it. Shag carpeting is hard to miss, as it’s a type of rug that is piled, giving it a shaggy appearance. Carpeting itself doesn’t affect a home’s resale value, but shag carpeting drives it down.
Shag Carpet ©Svetlana Lukienko / Shutterstock.com
Advertisement
Sadly for some lovers of this style, it’s now considered passe. Not only is it more expensive than other kinds of rugs, it’s harder to clean. Also, people don’t want to feel as though they’re walking through a sea of fabric to get from one point to another. When you’re picking carpeting, avoid shag at all costs. Hardwood, by contrast, increases a home’s value.