A common misconception held by many homeowners is that all home improvement projects have the potential to increase the value of a property. The truth is, some home projects can actually decrease a home's resale value, resulting in you losing money when it's time to sell.

Here are 5 home projects you may reconsider to keep your home attractive to potential future buyers:

1. Combining rooms to make a bigger room

It might sound like a good idea to combine two small bedrooms to make a larger one, but this can actually hurt your home's resale value in the long run. This is because you'll be creating a larger room at the expense of another. The more bedrooms that a home has, the higher the price most of the time. Eliminating a room may reduce the amount you can sell for compared to similar homes in the area, which means you'll lose a significant amount of money when you're ready to sell. Try getting creative with your storage of items by using the space on the walls and under the bed to see if this helps.

2. Adding solar panels

Making the switch to green living is something thousands of homebuyers are doing and with solar energy installations decreasing in price and proving valuable to potential homebuyers, you may come to the conclusion that installing solar panels will increase your home's value. However, that may not be the case. Be sure to review any proposed contract terms and all of the costs involved. If you are not planning to stay in your home for a while, it may not be worth the investment.

3. Bright and colorful paint colors

Painting your home can be relatively quick and inexpensive, but if you're choosing bright colors like red, yellow, and purple, you may want to rethink what effect this will have on your home's resale value. Potential homebuyers may not be attracted to these types of colors, which is why sticking to neutrals is your safest bet. Consider finding other ways to give your home pops of color like rugs and other accent pieces.

4. An over-the-top kitchen

Modern kitchens are appealing to buyers but spending a lot of money on remodeling your kitchen doesn't guarantee you an increase in value when you're ready to sell. Updating the outdated and worn parts is ideal for giving your kitchen an appealing look.

It's also key to keep your kitchen upgrades neutral if you think you may sell in the future. Skip the green cupboards and red backsplash and opt for neutral, classic colors instead.

5. A pool

A swimming pool is enjoyable to have at your home, but it doesn't necessarily translate to your home's value increasing. This is because pools are expensive to maintain and are more of a lifestyle investment as opposed to a home investment. Consider how often you and your family will use it and how long you think you'll be in your home before taking the plunge on this one.