Renovations gone bad is a hit to the heart and the pocket. So, know that demolishing a room in your house to create something else is a big step. You need to weigh your options carefully.
Get a professional opinion, even if you decide that you can do it yourself. You don’t want to make a home renovation mistake that you’ll regret later.
Continue reading to see which home renovations you are likely to regret.
10. Converting a Bedroom To a Walk-In Closet
The bright idea to turn your spare bedroom into a walk-in closet is an exciting prospect—a well-organized space for your elegant apparel and your multiple pairs of gorgeous shoes.
Realtors will tell you, though, that the value of your house will go down when you subtract a bedroom. So, if you ever decide to sell, you will lose money unless you remove that closet and return it to a bedroom.
9. Concrete Counter-Tops
It may be trendy to have concrete countertops at the moment, but there are many disadvantages to it. For one, they will have to be resealed regularly because of their porous nature.
They also tend to open up and reveal unsightly cracks. And if you ever mistakenly spill olive oil or red wine, you get ugly stains. Concrete counters are not as easy to care for as your quartz or granite.
8. Hardwood Designs and Customized Tiles
Don’t think that changing out the design on your tile floors will be as simple as changing your clothes out for the season. When those glossy designer tiles hit your eyes, bear in mind that it may not be the trend next year.
Hardwood should be a lifetime investment! If you take the extravagant route, you may be filled with regret in years to come. So, hit your pause button on your renovation spirit and consider if your decision is wise and feasible.
7. Open Shelves in the House
The farmhouse style of shelving might have been appropriate back in the day since folks didn’t have as many gadgets and appliances to store. They didn’t have the abundance of utensils and cutlery of this modern age.
Open shelves can look great but are usually not the most logical way to go. For safety and protection from dust and accidental breakage, closed cabinets are a more viable option.
6. Adding a Pond
Installing a pond in your garden can make for beautiful and relaxing scenery. What always brings on regret is the unforeseen maintenance. Hours of work are required to keep it clean 24/7. Furthermore, they attract frogs and can lead to some noisy nights.
Consider another feature that the pond water sustains–the ivy. You may find it charming until you realize it a climbing nuisance. It can also cause structural damage over time.
5. Re-purposing the Garage
You may not be using your garage much for anything–particularly for parking your car. So, you decide to convert it to a gym, a kids’ playroom or whatever you see fit.
Prospective buyers may not take kindly to the idea of purchasing a home without a garage for parking their vehicle or for storing their belongings. Experts warn homeowners to consider these scenarios before re-purposing their living spaces.
4. Plastering Over Your Fireplace
You might have had a bad experience with a fireplace and hate the open flames. Whatever your reasons for plastering over the fireplace, be aware that one of the must-haves on a home purchaser’s list is a fireplace.
Particularly in geographic locations where electricity can be lost in the winter, and bitter cold can set in. So, if a buyer sees no fireplace at a viewing, there will likely be no sale that day.
3. Cutting Down a Tree
For some, it’s therapeutic to rake leaves, especially in autumn. For others, it’s a hateful chore, and they can’t wait for that tree to go. However, it’s important to consider the advantages of having a well-established tree in your yard space.
It can help keep your home’s interior and that of your neighbors cooler in the summer months. Plus, removing a nice-looking tree can instantly lower the value of your home. If you have a huge tree that could cause danger, you should get a professional to cut it.
2. Great Open Space
Opening up your cozy living room to create a larger open space that includes your dining room is one of those big steps that needs careful thought. How will you and the rest of the family benefit? There is hardly any privacy, and it’s hard to relax in your own home.
It may be trendy, but if you use an island as a partition, the family’s dining table might very well have to go. You could be limiting precious family time. You also don’t want to be listening to everything the children are watching because of open proximity. Having a guest also means there’s no privacy at the dining table.
1. Spa Tub of Luxury
Yes, a coveted spa-like bathroom with a quality tub sounds appealing. How often will you use it, though? Also, it is important to consider the amount of water you will use and the supplies you’ll need. These tubs are also hard to keep clean and bacteria-free.
