Trendiness is also a factor, inspired buy HGTV and the like for better or worse.A good designer can help you not only conceptualize different options but also, if they have construction experience, can help you maximize your construction budget with the right option BEFORE you ever solicit a bid or tear down the first wall.

In terms of rents, I've been looking in some of the "trendy" areas of town, where it seems like people are actually willing to pay a little more for a unit with some vintage characteristics like original hardwood floors or exposed brick, etc... rather than a place in a newer 100-unit apartment building down the street with laminate flooring and smaller rooms.

Another solution would have been to install those trendy top mount bowls.

I think  you can do a lot with adding trendy circle (star like) mirror on the wall along with some art work. 

Timeless  vs. trendy is where I'm going.  

It was an eclectic feel to it with lots of trendy antique stores and great restaurants.  

Put on new shutters in a trendy color , makes a big difference

Light colors and finishes have been shown to hold their value along with simple hardware and fixtures that are not overly trendy.

It became trendy to save money.

It also has to do what is trendy and flashy.