For a while, it seemed like everyone was replacing a normal door with a sliding barn version every chance they had. It was the perfect accent for farmhouse-style design and a great space saver for tight spaces. But it seems like nobody considered the lack of privacy a downside. Unfortunately, reader Tina can speak from personal experience, writing that she regrets “Barn doors on bathroom. Zero soundproofing!” With that sage advice, you may think twice about adding in this rustic feature!
The Most Overrated Home Features To Avoid Design Regrets
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Published: June 14, 2024
Updated: March 28, 2024
We’ve all scrolled through social media or been sucked into the latest home design show that displays the most amazing space we could imagine. It’s natural, then, that we begin to look around our homes and reimagine them with all the luxurious finishes and high-end fixtures available. We may even start online shopping or number-crunching to see what it would cost to design our dream home worthy of its own show.
In reality, many of these features aren’t used to the extent we may think. Many homeowners, in fact, later regret the money and space they dedicated to these trending fixtures, or you may find that the maintenance costs and effort far exceed what you initially thought. Before you commit to an expensive renovation or pricey materials, be sure to read through the advice and recommendations from our community below to get their insights into their biggest regrets in home design.
02 of Wasted Space for Bedroom Sitting Area
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Speaking of inefficient designs, many of our contributors mentioned that wasted or unused spaces are one of their top regrets. Gloria definitely sympathizes, writing that her greatest remorse was a “Large principal bedroom with sitting area, wasted money on the sitting area furniture that never gets sat in, and our bedroom is way too big.” Bigger may seem better until you realize how much money you spent on an unused space that could have been allocated elsewhere.
03 of High Maintenance Materials
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Ensuites are considered a necessity in modern home design, and there’s no better place to create a luxury, spa-like feel than in your primary bathroom. Going high-end makes sense for the one room you know you’ll use every day and will create a sense of peace in your busy life. But think twice about splurging on materials that create more work, like marble floors. This was Jennifer’s issue in her home, reporting that the high maintenance requirements of the stone made it the top of her list of regrets in her home.
04 of Free-Standing Tub Collects Dust
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Bathtubs are another common feature that seems amazing, but they are never utilized as frequently as you thought. How often do you really take advantage of a deeper, relaxing soak, or is it just more wasted space and money? Candace shared her opinion about her dissatisfaction with her freestanding tub, writing that she’s “used it once.” If you really use a tub on a regular basis, we say go for it! Otherwise, you may want to return to the drawing board on this one.
05 of All-White Cleaning Nightmare
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Also high maintenance are all-white bathrooms, which, while stunning, require much more work than you’d expect to keep clean. “[The] grout is horrible to keep clean in the shower and on the floor,” reports Dianne. If an all-white space is what makes you happy, we’d suggest trying a light gray grout that is still bright and clean-looking but without the added burden of keeping it stain-free. Plus, the contrast can add depth and texture you may find equally appealing.
06 of Pricey Upkeep and Maintenace
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When selecting the materials for a home renovation project, ask your supplier about the necessary maintenance to keep your features pristine. This is also the advice of our interior design contributor, Katie Perry, who has years of experience in this area. “Lots of people choose to add beautiful marble tiles to a bathroom or stunning marble countertops to kitchens without thinking about the upkeep. If it isn’t practical for you and your household, big-ticket items that require ongoing maintenance can be something you later regret.” The added cost of the material upfront, as well as ongoing costs over the years, can add up quickly if you’re not careful.
07 of Consider What You Already Use
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Interior designer Neha Kaimal has some of the best advice we’ve heard, particularly when undertaking a larger renovation. She shares, “Kitchens are frequently overdesigned, leading people to overspend on extravagant features that a home cook may never fully utilize. Instead of recommending clients overspend on lavish kitchen elements, I emphasize the importance of allocating resources wisely, focusing on practical and essential features rather than unnecessary extravagance.” You should carefully consider the kitchen features you already use and plan accordingly to get the most bang for your buck.
08 of Sometimes Less Is More
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Similar to Neha’s advice, Melissa also finds that splurging for the sake of luxury isn’t always functional. Her biggest regret is her Thor gas double oven with a griddle and six burners. “I love to cook,” she told us, “but the entire thing is horrible. It shouldn’t be called a griddle-just a pancake maker!” Gas ranges are notoriously difficult to clean, especially if you love to cook and tend to make a mess. Just because a range has six burners doesn’t mean you need them all!
09 of Two Part Sink Drawbacks
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Kitchen renovations are often the most expensive but can potentially add the most value to your home. Sometimes, you’re not even sure what you really like or dislike until you’ve had the chance to spend time in the room on a regular basis. But take it from home decor expert Debbie, who shares her distaste for her “Two part sink. Wish I had done just one large one. I don’t like where my faucet hits, and it’s hard to clean big pots.” This is one detail you may not realize matters until it’s too late, so take your time to investigate all your options before you commit.
10 of Questionable Cleanliness With Quartz
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There’s no denying that certain materials and finishes look cleaner than others, making cleaning either rewarding or utterly frustrating. Design enthusiast Lindsay echoes this, sharing that she regrets her. “Honed quartz countertops. Shows every single watermark and is impossible to clean.” Unless you want your efforts to be for naught, it might be in your best interest to look elsewhere for your perfect countertop design.
11 of Wine Wall Feature To Save Space
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It may seem the height of luxury to have an entire room dedicated to the proper storage of your favorite vintages, but it also means dedicated space that can’t be used for other purposes. One of our readers, Stefani, suggests artfully displaying your wine collection on a wall in your dining room instead. This has the double benefit of saving space as well as creating a unique design feature that is sure to capture your guests’ attention!
12 of Do Away With Wood-Burning Fireplaces
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I love a cheery fireplace and fondly remember curling up near the hearth on a cold winter night. But while wood-burning fireplaces are certainly nostalgic, they’re also messy and require cleaning to function safely. “One of the best upgrades we did to our home was switching it from wood to gas,” writes Brittney. “We had two wood-burning fireplaces in our old house, which were more work.” Gas fireplaces are certainly much quicker to turn on and can still provide the warmth and light we expect from a flickering fireplace!
13 of Maximize Your Storage Potential
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If you’re a mom like me, I often dream of fantastic storage and organization solutions that will leave my home clean and orderly at all times. A beautiful and functional mudroom is top of my list when it comes to realizing this dream! Home design lover Ashley also knows the importance of organization but also suggests avoiding “Mudroom built-in seating. We never use it.” In fact, a bench may take away even more potential cabinet space or cubbies to maximize your storage.
14 of Make Your Home Personal
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Our final wisdom comes from contributor and interior designer Meredith Taylor, who shares her expert opinion: “If you have built-ins or storage spaces, you want them to feel finished and decorated, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune on them! I love using these spaces to tell the story of your home- using personal items, pictures, books, and things you’ve collected over the years.” Not only is it much cheaper to use items you already have on hand, but it’s much more reflective of your life and experiences. We always love getting real-life advice and insights from our community, especially when their recommendations can positively impact your interior design choices. We hope you can take their lessons and avoid their mistakes!
