6 Common Renovation Regrets on Reddit, and How to Avoid Them

Thinking ahead.

Renovation regrets can be easy to brush off as pure hindsight, but they can be useful in a very practical way: they let prospective homeowners (like you!) know what actually matters in the long run.

That’s why homeowner discussions, both online and offline, can reveal a lot. Not only do they highlight things they wish they did differently, but they also point out decisions that continue to pay off long after they’ve moved in (and lived there for years).

1. Buying cheap furniture and fittings

Cheap furniture and fittings can feel like a savvy way to keep costs low – but before jumping on this, think about all the heavy use these things see on the daily.

One Redditor regretted buying a cheaper sink after it turned out to be the wrong size and began rusting, despite being marketed as anti-rust.

On the flip side, multiple other homeowners mentioned that they never regretted investing in premium fittings, especially for the kitchen and toilets – which goes to show that some things are definitely worth paying for.

How to avoid: We’re not saying that everything in your house needs to be expensive – far from it. To help you decide what to save on and what to invest in, ask yourself questions like these:

• Does this item see daily use?
• Does this item frequently come into contact with water and heat?
• Does this item frequently carry and support weight?
• Does this item cost a lot to replace? This doesn’t just include the price of the item, but also the cost of repairs and installation.

If your answer to most of these questions is yes, it’s likely worth investing in. For decorative or easy-to-replace pieces, you can usually afford to look at more affordable pieces.

2. Splurging on features you barely use

Some renovation features sound like a dream when you’re brainstorming for ideas… until you realise how impractical they actually can be. Case in point: this Redditor, who said that they splurged on a bathtub, only to use it less than five times in a year.

To be fair, it’s hard to know what you’ll actually need and use until you’ve actually lived in the space. But for bigger features (like bathtubs), it’s worth asking whether they suit your actual everyday habits beyond being a nice idea.

How to avoid: Try picturing yourself living in the space before making any big purchase decisions to see if you need the feature you’re thinking about. This is actually a thing that some interior designers do with their clients, to better understand how they use the space and know what they need (or don’t need).

Additionally, you should also ask yourself how often you’ll realistically use it and how much maintenance it needs. A feature is only worth it if it continues to be useful after the novelty wears off.

3. Over-relying on carpentry

Built-in carpentry can create storage space and maximise every inch of space in your home, but there are downsides when done in excess. For one, it can make homes feel more rigid, especially in spaces like kids’ rooms where needs change frequently.

For another, they’re harder to replace. One Redditor, for example, regretted doing built-ins in their bathroom after numerous problems emerged, like the hinges rusting and the cabinet door falling off.

Unlike loose furniture, which can be swapped out more easily, spoiled or damaged carpentry requires repairs or replacements, which will cost you more in the long term.

How to avoid: As much as you want to make use of every inch, we’d suggest only using carpentry if it solves a clear problem, like:

• Maximising an awkward corner or niche
• Needing extra storage space
• Making a tight, compact space more functional
• Concealing visual clutter (like wires or appliances)

Otherwise, consider loose furniture instead – especially for kids’ rooms or spaces where you may want more flexibility later.

4. Not having enough power plugs and sockets

Power points are one of those small things you don’t think too much about until you need them. As one Redditor shared, they thought they had over-catered, only to realise later on that they needed even more than they anticipated.

In contrast, numerous homeowners have mentioned having zero regrets investing in more power sockets and points, even if they significantly added to the renovation cost.

You may think they’re exaggerating, but think about it – we’re pretty sure you’d prefer having a power socket in close proximity when you need one, rather than relying on an extension cord (which isn’t exactly the neatest or safest long-term solution).

How to avoid: Before confirming your electrical plan, go room by room (maybe imagine yourself living in and using the space) before listing you’ll need to plug in – including less obvious items like robot vacuums, water dispensers, air purifiers, desk lamps, hair tools, chargers, and future appliances.

If your budget allows for it, consider catering for some extra points here and there, because they will probably come in handy in the future at some point.

Explore: Homeowners' Guide to Electrical Wiring: Costs, Mistakes, and More

5. Not thinking through how each light will be used

More homeowners are paying attention to lighting these days, which is a good thing because it plays a huge part in the way a home feels and functions. For example, bright task lighting for chores like cleaning can look very different from soft ambient lighting for times you want to wind down.

Still, lighting needs can be pretty easy to underestimate. Some Redditors regret installing lights they’ve barely used, while others have the opposite regret: not adding dimmable or mood lighting in spaces where they want a softer, cosier feel.

How to avoid: Before confirming your lighting plan, think about what you want from each space, as well as what each light is meant to do.

For example, you’ll probably need a mix of task lighting and ambient lighting in the bedroom – brighter lights for getting dressed, and softer ones for winding down at night. In the kitchen, you’ll likely need stronger lighting for cleaning tasks or cooking prep work.

Similarly, think about light placements. It may look good on the lighting plan, but if it doesn’t fall where you actually need illumination – like over a dining table, vanity, or countertop – it’ll likely end up being more decorative than useful.

6. Hiring a cheap interior designer or contractor

We can see the appeal of cheap renovation quotes, especially considering how expensive renovations are. But, as one Redditor shared, hiring a cheap interior designer became a major regret when their carpentry continued to reek of formaldehyde years after moving in.

In contrast, another homeowner listed hiring a recommended, seasoned interior designer as a “non-regret”, and mentioned how this helped them with their peace of mind in the long run.

If anything, this is a handy reminder that a cheaper quote may save you money upfront, but can quickly disappear in the event of issues around workmanship and material qualities.

How to avoid: Meet with at least 3 to 5 interior designers to compare different quotes, but don’t make a decision based on the final quote alone. Look closely at what’s included (e.g. materials, post-sales services, full work scopes, etc.) as well as the ID’s track record.

In fact, we can help you do the legwork by connecting you with a set of reliable interior designers – free of charge! Simply fill out the form below to get started:

Reddit threads referenced:

• HDB renovation — regrets and non regrets
• What are your top reno regrets in SG?
• What is your reno regret that you wished you had not made, could have saved you more monies when you think of it?

In fact, we can help you do the legwork by connecting you with a set of reliable interior designers – free of charge! Simply fill out the form below to get started: