Avoiding reno regret
Talk about hindsight being 20-20. Before you start demo-ing walls and buying everything mid-century modern, consider the wisdom of realtors who have seen the renovations homeowners really regret.
Creating a great room
It’s rare to watch a home improvement show without seeing the crew tear down walls to create a huge great room. Sure, it’s trendy and the appeal of having an open and spacious living area is tempting, but you may regret it for reasons you didn’t think about, especially if a large island replaces the family dining table. “While the room may be very large, it doesn’t offer many options: It leaves the family with only one room to relax in, any mess is immediately visible and remains that way until tidied, there is no table where you can relax and enjoy a meal, and sometimes you don’t want to hear whatever the kids are watching on TV,” says realtor Michele Morrison.
Don’t bother with these 32 home upgrades that are a huge waste of money.
Luxurious bath
A free-standing bath is a quintessential element in the coveted spa-like bathroom but this renovation may prove to be a renovation washout. They take up a lot of room and are difficult to keep clean and tidy. “These tubs take up a lot of space in the home, I don’t think they’re going to be used much, and, in fact, in drought-prone areas, they’re very unlikely to be used at all either now or in the future. Water conservation and large, single-use tubs are not a great combination,” says Morrison.
Follow these 10 design rules for a perfect bathroom renovation.