Avoid These Renovation Regrets in Your Next Project
You finally completed your home renovation: new flooring, fresh paint, stylish fittings. Everything looks perfect at first. But after a few weeks, the small issues start to show. That modern light fitting doesn’t brighten the room enough. The open shelves gather dust quickly. And the trendy layout? It’s not as practical as you had hoped.
That’s when the renovation regrets set in. You’re not alone. Many homeowners only realise what went wrong after the renovation is done. That’s exactly why we’ve put this together to help you avoid making the same mistakes. We’ll share real-life stories from people who’ve experienced these regrets, explain what went wrong, and give you clear, practical tips to help your project go right from the beginning.
If you want to still love your renovation months later, keep reading. This will be well worth your time.
Renovation Regrets: When the Final Result Isn’t What You Imagined
Finishing a home renovation can feel amazing, like a dream finally coming true. But for some people, that dream quickly turns into a big disappointment.
I recently asked a group of homeowners to share the renovation projects they were once excited about but later wished they had never done. From small changes to major makeovers, here’s what they experienced and what you can learn from their regrets.
1. The Bold Paint That Turned Into a Regret
I was talking to a homeowner who was excited about painting their small office a bright, vibrant color. "Look at this swatch!" they said, showing me the bold, vivid shade. "It’s so pretty! It’ll look amazing here!"
But once the paint dried, their excitement turned into regret. The bold color, which seemed perfect on the swatch, made the small space feel overwhelming and cheap.
Tip to Avoid This Regret:
Bold colors can work in the right place, but on a wall, they can easily take over the room. The key is to go lighter! Instead of using a bright color all over, pick a softer tone you love. Or, if you really want that bold color, use it for just one accent wall. Let it stand out without taking over everything.
Trust me, this simple change will save you from that “What was I thinking?” moment later.
2. The Penny Tile Nightmare: A Renovation Regret That Almost Ended in Divorce
I was talking to a homeowner who decided to add a penny tile floor to their small bathroom. “I thought it would be amazing,” he said. “It seemed like a fun, unique project, but I completely underestimated how much time and effort it would take.”
He explained that each penny had to be glued down one by one, and it felt like it took so much time. “I even lost my thumbprint from handling all the metal and adhesive!” he laughed. But the worst part? “Halfway through, I was over it. But there was no turning back.”
The situation got even tougher when his wife helped him. Unfortunately, she hurt her knee during the process. “By the end of it, we were both frustrated and yelling at each other,” he admitted.
In total, they laid down 12,070 tiles. While they loved the final result, he had one clear piece of advice: "I wouldn’t recommend putting your marriage through that ordeal."
Tip to Avoid This Regret:
Before taking on a detailed project like penny tiles, think about how much time and effort it will really take. If you’re set on it, consider hiring a professional contractor to help or choose an easier design that still gives you the look you want without all the stress. Trust me, your sanity and your relationship will thank you.
3. The Open Shelving Regret: A Living Room Lesson
One homeowner told me how excited he was to add exposed open shelving to his living room. He thought it would make the space feel more open and stylish, with easy access to books, decor, and other items. But as time went on, things didn’t go as planned.
"At first, it looked great," he said. "But soon, everything started to look cluttered. Dust would gather on the shelves, and I found myself constantly having to rearrange everything to keep it looking neat." He even mentioned that some of his decor started to feel out of place. “It wasn’t as low-maintenance as I thought.”
His advice? "Open shelving can look fantastic, but if you're not ready to keep it organized all the time, it can turn into more work than it's worth."
Tip to Avoid This Regret:
Before adding open shelving, think about how much effort you're willing to put into keeping things tidy. If you want that stylish look but don’t want the hassle, try balancing open shelves with some closed storage. This way, you can display the things you love without stressing over the mess.
4. Too Many Built-Ins: When Customization Becomes a Regret
I spoke with a homeowner who was excited about adding built-ins throughout his home. “I thought they would give the place a clean, organized look, and I could have storage everywhere,” he said with enthusiasm.
But after everything was installed, he realized that too many built-ins weren’t the perfect solution he imagined. "At first, they looked great, but now, I feel like the space is too stiff and fixed," he explained. "I can’t move things around easily, and it feels like I’m stuck with everything exactly where it is."
He also mentioned how some built-ins took up more space than he expected. "I ended up with less room than I wanted, and not everything fits the way I hoped. Plus, they’re hard to update later if I change my mind."
His advice? “Too many built-ins can limit your options and make your space feel less flexible.”
Tip to Avoid This Regret:
Before adding too many built-ins, think about how often you’ll need to rearrange or change things. If you love the look, try mixing in some movable furniture or storage solutions. This way, you can enjoy the organization without feeling locked in. Too many built-ins can become a regret if you don’t leave room for change.
5. Sliding Door Seepage and White Transparent Doors
One homeowner I spoke to was excited about his new white transparent sliding door. “I thought it would brighten up the room and give it a modern touch,” he told me. The door looked beautiful, letting in natural light and giving a sense of openness to the space.
But things didn’t stay perfect. “After a few months, I started noticing water coming in around the edges during rain. “I didn’t think about it before installing, but cleaning the door was another hassle. The white surface showed every speck of dirt, and the transparency just made it more obvious. It wasn’t as low-maintenance as I thought.”
His advice? “While the door looked great at first, I didn’t consider how much it would require to keep it looking good and prevent the seepage.”
Tip to Avoid This Regret:
Before choosing a sliding door, make sure it has good sealing to prevent water seepage, especially if you live in a rainy area. Also, if you want a transparent door, go for a design that’s easy to clean or add a protective layer. That way, you’ll have the style without the hassle.
6. Starved for Storage: A Common Renovation Regret You Don’t Want
I came across a homeowner who shared a regret many people don’t realise until it’s too late. “We focused so much on how the home would look after the renovation,” he told me, “that we forgot to think about how we’d actually live in it day to day.”
At first, everything felt fresh and beautiful open spaces, clean lines, minimal furniture. But within weeks, they noticed a growing problem: there just wasn’t enough storage.
“Clothes, shoes, books, tools everything started piling up. Our cabinets filled up fast, and suddenly we were using random corners and baskets just to keep things off the floor. It made our brand-new space feel messy.”
His advice? “Storage isn’t exciting to plan, but you’ll regret not thinking about it. Trust me, the clutter ruins the calm really fast.”
Tip to Avoid This Renovation Regret:
When planning your renovation, don’t just focus on style, think about function. Add built-in cabinets, smart shelves, or hidden storage wherever you can. Even small spaces can hold a lot with the right design. Planning ahead will save you from feeling starved for storage later.
7. Cabinet-Less Shoes: The Messy Renovation Regret No One Warned Them About
During a conversation with a homeowner, they told me something simple that turned into one of their biggest renovation regrets.
“We didn’t plan a shoe cabinet,” they said. “At the time, it felt unnecessary. We thought we could just line up our shoes near the entrance or tuck them under a bench. But that idea got messy really fast.”
Soon, shoes were scattered all over the floor—at the entryway, by the living room, even inside the bedrooms. “It made the house look untidy, and it was frustrating to always step over shoes or waste time finding a matching pair.”
What they thought would feel minimal and clean ended up feeling like daily clutter.
Their honest advice? “Please, don’t skip a shoe cabinet. You might not think you need one, but your future self will thank you.”
Tip to Avoid This Renovation Regret:
Even if you love a clean and open look, always include a proper place to store your shoes. A closed cabinet near the entrance can make your home look neater and help you stay organised. Small storage choices like this can make a big difference after the renovation is done.
8. Day and Night Curtains: A Small Detail That Became a Big Renovation Regret
One homeowner I spoke with thought they had everything covered during their renovation. “We picked beautiful curtains that matched the room perfectly,” they said. “At the time, we didn’t think much about how much sunlight we get or what we’d need at night.”
What they chose were simple sheer curtains great for the day, letting in lots of light. But when night came, it was a different story.
“We started noticing how exposed we felt once it got dark. The lights inside made it easy for anyone outside to see in,” they explained. “It didn’t feel private, and it really bothered us.”
They also said it affected their sleep. “The room didn’t get dark enough, even at night. That’s when we realised we should’ve gone with day and night curtains.”
Tip to Avoid This Renovation Regret:
Think about how your space changes from day to night. Day and night curtains give you the best of both sheer fabric for sunlight, and blackout layers for privacy and sleep. It may seem like a small thing, but missing this can turn into one of those unexpected renovation regrets you’ll wish you had thought through.
These are common renovation regrets that seem small at first but cause big problems later. Things like not enough storage, no place for shoes, or not choosing the right curtains can make your home feel messy or uncomfortable. Many people forget to think about how they will live in space every day. It’s better to plan for these things early, instead of fixing them later when it costs more time and money.
Conclusion
Renovation is a big step, and it’s easy to miss small details that later become frustrating. Thinking ahead can help you avoid many renovation regrets that others have faced. Take your time, plan smart, and focus on what will truly make your daily life easier. This way, you can enjoy your space without any hidden renovation regrets down the road.
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Avoid These Renovation Regrets in Your Next Project
You finally completed your home renovation: new flooring, fresh paint, stylish fittings. Everything looks perfect at first. But after a few weeks, the small issues start to show. That modern light fitting doesn’t brighten the room enough. The open shelves gather dust quickly. And the trendy layout? It’s not as practical as you had hoped.
That’s when the renovation regrets set in. You’re not alone. Many homeowners only realise what went wrong after the renovation is done. That’s exactly why we’ve put this together to help you avoid making the same mistakes. We’ll share real-life stories from people who’ve experienced these regrets, explain what went wrong, and give you clear, practical tips to help your project go right from the beginning.
If you want to still love your renovation months later, keep reading. This will be well worth your time.
Renovation Regrets: When the Final Result Isn’t What You Imagined
Finishing a home renovation can feel amazing, like a dream finally coming true. But for some people, that dream quickly turns into a big disappointment.
I recently asked a group of homeowners to share the renovation projects they were once excited about but later wished they had never done. From small changes to major makeovers, here’s what they experienced and what you can learn from their regrets.
1. The Bold Paint That Turned Into a Regret
I was talking to a homeowner who was excited about painting their small office a bright, vibrant color. "Look at this swatch!" they said, showing me the bold, vivid shade. "It’s so pretty! It’ll look amazing here!"
But once the paint dried, their excitement turned into regret. The bold color, which seemed perfect on the swatch, made the small space feel overwhelming and cheap.
Tip to Avoid This Regret:
Bold colors can work in the right place, but on a wall, they can easily take over the room. The key is to go lighter! Instead of using a bright color all over, pick a softer tone you love. Or, if you really want that bold color, use it for just one accent wall. Let it stand out without taking over everything.
Trust me, this simple change will save you from that “What was I thinking?” moment later.
2. The Penny Tile Nightmare: A Renovation Regret That Almost Ended in Divorce
I was talking to a homeowner who decided to add a penny tile floor to their small bathroom. “I thought it would be amazing,” he said. “It seemed like a fun, unique project, but I completely underestimated how much time and effort it would take.”
He explained that each penny had to be glued down one by one, and it felt like it took so much time. “I even lost my thumbprint from handling all the metal and adhesive!” he laughed. But the worst part? “Halfway through, I was over it. But there was no turning back.”
The situation got even tougher when his wife helped him. Unfortunately, she hurt her knee during the process. “By the end of it, we were both frustrated and yelling at each other,” he admitted.
In total, they laid down 12,070 tiles. While they loved the final result, he had one clear piece of advice: "I wouldn’t recommend putting your marriage through that ordeal."
Tip to Avoid This Regret:
Before taking on a detailed project like penny tiles, think about how much time and effort it will really take. If you’re set on it, consider hiring a professional contractor to help or choose an easier design that still gives you the look you want without all the stress. Trust me, your sanity and your relationship will thank you.
3. The Open Shelving Regret: A Living Room Lesson
One homeowner told me how excited he was to add exposed open shelving to his living room. He thought it would make the space feel more open and stylish, with easy access to books, decor, and other items. But as time went on, things didn’t go as planned.
"At first, it looked great," he said. "But soon, everything started to look cluttered. Dust would gather on the shelves, and I found myself constantly having to rearrange everything to keep it looking neat." He even mentioned that some of his decor started to feel out of place. “It wasn’t as low-maintenance as I thought.”
His advice? "Open shelving can look fantastic, but if you're not ready to keep it organized all the time, it can turn into more work than it's worth."
Tip to Avoid This Regret:
Before adding open shelving, think about how much effort you're willing to put into keeping things tidy. If you want that stylish look but don’t want the hassle, try balancing open shelves with some closed storage. This way, you can display the things you love without stressing over the mess.
4. Too Many Built-Ins: When Customization Becomes a Regret
I spoke with a homeowner who was excited about adding built-ins throughout his home. “I thought they would give the place a clean, organized look, and I could have storage everywhere,” he said with enthusiasm.
But after everything was installed, he realized that too many built-ins weren’t the perfect solution he imagined. "At first, they looked great, but now, I feel like the space is too stiff and fixed," he explained. "I can’t move things around easily, and it feels like I’m stuck with everything exactly where it is."
He also mentioned how some built-ins took up more space than he expected. "I ended up with less room than I wanted, and not everything fits the way I hoped. Plus, they’re hard to update later if I change my mind."
His advice? “Too many built-ins can limit your options and make your space feel less flexible.”
Tip to Avoid This Regret:
Before adding too many built-ins, think about how often you’ll need to rearrange or change things. If you love the look, try mixing in some movable furniture or storage solutions. This way, you can enjoy the organization without feeling locked in. Too many built-ins can become a regret if you don’t leave room for change.
5. Sliding Door Seepage and White Transparent Doors
One homeowner I spoke to was excited about his new white transparent sliding door. “I thought it would brighten up the room and give it a modern touch,” he told me. The door looked beautiful, letting in natural light and giving a sense of openness to the space.
But things didn’t stay perfect. “After a few months, I started noticing water coming in around the edges during rain. “I didn’t think about it before installing, but cleaning the door was another hassle. The white surface showed every speck of dirt, and the transparency just made it more obvious. It wasn’t as low-maintenance as I thought.”
His advice? “While the door looked great at first, I didn’t consider how much it would require to keep it looking good and prevent the seepage.”
Tip to Avoid This Regret:
Before choosing a sliding door, make sure it has good sealing to prevent water seepage, especially if you live in a rainy area. Also, if you want a transparent door, go for a design that’s easy to clean or add a protective layer. That way, you’ll have the style without the hassle.
6. Starved for Storage: A Common Renovation Regret You Don’t Want
I came across a homeowner who shared a regret many people don’t realise until it’s too late. “We focused so much on how the home would look after the renovation,” he told me, “that we forgot to think about how we’d actually live in it day to day.”
At first, everything felt fresh and beautiful open spaces, clean lines, minimal furniture. But within weeks, they noticed a growing problem: there just wasn’t enough storage.
“Clothes, shoes, books, tools everything started piling up. Our cabinets filled up fast, and suddenly we were using random corners and baskets just to keep things off the floor. It made our brand-new space feel messy.”
His advice? “Storage isn’t exciting to plan, but you’ll regret not thinking about it. Trust me, the clutter ruins the calm really fast.”
Tip to Avoid This Renovation Regret:
When planning your renovation, don’t just focus on style, think about function. Add built-in cabinets, smart shelves, or hidden storage wherever you can. Even small spaces can hold a lot with the right design. Planning ahead will save you from feeling starved for storage later.
7. Cabinet-Less Shoes: The Messy Renovation Regret No One Warned Them About
During a conversation with a homeowner, they told me something simple that turned into one of their biggest renovation regrets.
“We didn’t plan a shoe cabinet,” they said. “At the time, it felt unnecessary. We thought we could just line up our shoes near the entrance or tuck them under a bench. But that idea got messy really fast.”
Soon, shoes were scattered all over the floor—at the entryway, by the living room, even inside the bedrooms. “It made the house look untidy, and it was frustrating to always step over shoes or waste time finding a matching pair.”
What they thought would feel minimal and clean ended up feeling like daily clutter.
Their honest advice? “Please, don’t skip a shoe cabinet. You might not think you need one, but your future self will thank you.”
Tip to Avoid This Renovation Regret:
Even if you love a clean and open look, always include a proper place to store your shoes. A closed cabinet near the entrance can make your home look neater and help you stay organised. Small storage choices like this can make a big difference after the renovation is done.
8. Day and Night Curtains: A Small Detail That Became a Big Renovation Regret
One homeowner I spoke with thought they had everything covered during their renovation. “We picked beautiful curtains that matched the room perfectly,” they said. “At the time, we didn’t think much about how much sunlight we get or what we’d need at night.”
What they chose were simple sheer curtains great for the day, letting in lots of light. But when night came, it was a different story.
“We started noticing how exposed we felt once it got dark. The lights inside made it easy for anyone outside to see in,” they explained. “It didn’t feel private, and it really bothered us.”
They also said it affected their sleep. “The room didn’t get dark enough, even at night. That’s when we realised we should’ve gone with day and night curtains.”
Tip to Avoid This Renovation Regret:
Think about how your space changes from day to night. Day and night curtains give you the best of both sheer fabric for sunlight, and blackout layers for privacy and sleep. It may seem like a small thing, but missing this can turn into one of those unexpected renovation regrets you’ll wish you had thought through.
These are common renovation regrets that seem small at first but cause big problems later. Things like not enough storage, no place for shoes, or not choosing the right curtains can make your home feel messy or uncomfortable. Many people forget to think about how they will live in space every day. It’s better to plan for these things early, instead of fixing them later when it costs more time and money.
Conclusion
Renovation is a big step, and it’s easy to miss small details that later become frustrating. Thinking ahead can help you avoid many renovation regrets that others have faced. Take your time, plan smart, and focus on what will truly make your daily life easier. This way, you can enjoy your space without any hidden renovation regrets down the road.