11 Home Renovation Upgrades People REGRET Most

Summary

This video guides homeowners through the most common renovation regrets and how to avoid them. It stresses living in your space first to understand habits, setting a realistic budget with a 15–20% buffer, and designing for your life—not imagined buyers. Practical advice covers the correct order for decisions (frames, flooring, countertops, cabinets, backsplash, paint), preserving original character, and avoiding overbuilt features like permanent outdoor kitchens, pools, or unnecessary pot fillers. Technical tips include ergonomic heights, plentiful outlets, and preferring drawers over cupboards. The presenter also recommends planning tools (Rayon) and offers a free designer checklist to ensure thoughtful, lasting results.

Takeaways

• 😀 Take time to understand your space before starting a renovation to avoid regrets. Observe how you live and what drives you crazy on a day-to-day basis.
• 🛠️ Use a reliable floor planning tool to help bring your renovation ideas to life. Rayon, for example, combines design software, AI tools, and collaboration features to make the process easier.
• 💰 Set a realistic budget before starting any renovation. Always add a 15-20% buffer for unexpected costs.
• 🏠 Design for your own needs, not for a potential future buyer. Focus on what will bring you joy, especially in easily changeable elements like paint and decor.
• ⏳ Don’t wait until you're about to sell to renovate. Renovate early so you can enjoy the space, then focus on low-cost touch-ups before selling.
• 🎨 When planning, follow the right decision-making order. Start with fixed elements like windows, flooring, and countertops before moving to flexible ones like paint and decor.
• ⚡ Avoid making reactive decisions when a contractor is ready to install. Plan ahead to avoid last-minute, isolated choices that might not work together.
• 🏡 Preserve original architectural details in older homes, like timber trim or parquet floors, rather than ripping everything out to make the home 'modern.' It often adds value and charm.
• 🚪 In bedrooms, use built-in wardrobes instead of small walk-in closets unless you have the space. Built-ins are more functional and flexible.
• ⚡ Consider ergonomics for height-sensitive areas like countertops, vanities, and showerheads. Customizing these heights can make your space feel tailored to your needs.
• 🔌 Don't neglect outlets. Ensure there are enough outlets in key areas like bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms to accommodate modern devices and appliances.
• 🗄️ Opt for drawers instead of cupboards in kitchens and bathrooms for easier access to stored items. Drawers make better use of space and improve functionality.

Q & A

Why do homeowners often regret renovation decisions?

Most regrets come from rushing into renovations before fully understanding how they live in their space. Without taking time to observe habits, lighting, and daily frustrations, homeowners may make design decisions that don't suit their lifestyle.

What is the benefit of living in your home for a while before renovating?

Living in the home allows you to understand natural traffic patterns, where you spend time, lighting changes, and pain points. These insights help you design a renovation that truly fits your day-to-day life.

Why is it important to create a detailed budget before beginning a renovation?

A clear budget with a 15–20% buffer helps prevent running out of money for important finishing details. Renovations commonly go over budget, so planning ahead reduces stress and financial strain.

Should homeowners design their space with resale in mind?

While resale value matters, designing solely for future buyers often leads to bland and impersonal spaces. The better approach is to keep permanent, expensive elements neutral and personalize the more flexible layers like paint, decor, and lighting.

Why is the order of design decisions important during a renovation?

Making decisions in the wrong order can lead to mismatched colors and materials. Starting with fixed elements—like window frames, flooring, fireplaces, countertops, and cabinets—ensures that flexible decisions like paint complement them.

What does the script suggest about preserving original home features?

Original elements such as parquet floors, timber trim, or brick fireplaces are often high-quality and irreplaceable. Instead of removing them, homeowners should consider restoring or integrating them into the updated design.

Why are walk-in wardrobes often less functional than built-in wardrobes?

Small walk-ins can be awkward to use and waste space due to door swings and inefficient layout. Built-in wardrobes along one wall maximize storage, improve accessibility, and help maintain balanced room proportions.

Why is getting height measurements right in kitchens and bathrooms important?

Countertop, vanity, and shower heights greatly affect daily comfort. Standard heights may not suit all households, especially when vessel sinks add extra elevation. Tailoring heights makes spaces more ergonomic and user-friendly.

What is a common regret regarding electrical outlet placement?

Homeowners often underestimate the number and placement of outlets, leading to messy or impractical setups. Properly planned outlets allow for flexible furniture arrangements and easier use of technology and appliances.

Why are drawers recommended over cupboards for lower kitchen and bathroom storage?

Drawers offer easier access, visibility, and organization. Although slightly more expensive, they maximize usability and reduce clutter compared to traditional cupboards, which require bending and reaching.

Why might outdoor kitchens be considered an overrated upgrade?

They are costly to build, require weatherproofing, and often go unused except in warm climates. Many homeowners prefer indoor kitchen convenience, making a high-quality standalone barbecue a simpler, more practical option.

What are the drawbacks of installing a backyard pool or hot tub?

They require constant maintenance, frequent cleaning, and chemical balancing. The novelty often fades after a few years, and in cooler climates pools may go largely unused. They can also affect resale value unpredictably.

Why is a pot filler not as practical as it initially seems?

While it fills pots at the stove, you still need to carry the heavy pot back to the sink to drain it. Pot fillers add unnecessary plumbing complexity, maintenance risks, and can visually disrupt a clean backsplash design.