10 Home Improvements That Are a Waste of Money

With home ownership comes the joy of creating a space that's tailored just for you and your family. From the garden to the kitchen to the garage, it often makes sense to take on projects and make certain renovations. Still, it's important to ask yourself if any home improvement is really worth the money.

Sometimes you squeeze every single dollar out of that remodel, while other times you find that the renovation didn't have the impact you expected or didn't increase your home's resale value. If you want that big steam shower or Barbiecore kitchen, you can certainly get it, but if you're considering selling your home in the near future, heed our experts' advice on the improvements you should think twice about.

An overly individual kitchen

An updated kitchen can significantly increase the value of your home and your life for as long as you live there. But you don't have to feel like you have to spend money on every single extra feature – and be careful about choosing too many custom options that can't be easily undone.

“Extensive kitchen renovations can be expensive. Without careful budget management, costs can skyrocket and reduce return on investment,” warns Jeff Holtsclaw, real estate agent at Century 21 Bradley Realty Inc. He adds, “Personal tastes vary and designs that are too customized may not appeal to all buyers, limiting your market. In a sluggish real estate market, even a beautifully renovated kitchen may not significantly increase the home's selling price.”

A brand new pool

Pools can make sense in the right location and for the right people – especially in warm climates where a pool is used regularly throughout the year. However, they come with high initial costs and ongoing maintenance.

“Cleaning pools is time-consuming and tedious. And with water and energy costs rising through the roof, it's also a significant expense,” notes Sofia Vyshnevska, real estate expert and co-founder of NewHomesMate. “If it's your dream, go ahead, but it could make it harder to sell your home in the future.”

Replacing a bathtub with an oversized shower

Large steam showers are very popular right now, but don't rip out your tub just yet. “These oversized steam showers are expensive, so they're tailored to the homeowner,” says interior designer Sara Malek Barney, founder and principal of Bandd/Design. “While they're very pleasant, they don't appeal to the masses, so they don't add anything to resale value. Instead, it's best to stick with an upgraded shower and keep the tub if you can.”

Stunning landscaping

Edwin Remsberg / Getty Images

A well-designed yard can significantly increase the curb appeal of a home, promote pride in one's home, and even improve resale value. However, sometimes overdoing it with landscaping can backfire.

“Excessive spending on gardens, water features or outdoor kitchens often doesn't yield a good return on investment,” notes Michael Valente, founder and CEO of Renovation Sells. “Maintenance costs and buyers' personal tastes can also limit the overall value.” And remember: Every plant and tree you own needs watering and care.

Unique aesthetic updates in older homes

If you're planning to sell an older, unupgraded home in the near future and are thinking about how to make it more attractive to buyers, it's probably best to forgo one-time cosmetic upgrades.

“Unless it's a complete upgrade or remodel, simply replacing an old countertop in an otherwise 1960s-built home with original windows, hardwood floors and bathrooms may not add value,” says Jessica Hoff, a real estate agent with Century 21 JRS Realty. Other examples could be new flooring or new light fixtures. “It potentially costs the seller valuable time off the market, is an unnecessary expense and creates additional stress – for something they will neither benefit nor enjoy.”

Expensive high-end sanitary fittings

Finishing touches in bathrooms and kitchens can complete your modernization, but you don't have to feel like you have to buy the most luxurious options to enjoy a beautiful renovation.

“I've personally struggled with what quality plumbing fixtures to use on construction projects,” says Kyle Dutton, a residential construction expert. Whether it's fancy custom-made fixtures or an exclusive European brand of faucets, I've learned the hard way that these 'quality' products are not what they promise.”

He explains that when installing an exclusive product, it can sometimes be extremely difficult to find replacement parts if it breaks, or even get technical support if something goes wrong. Look for well-made, beautiful products that are easy to maintain.

Convert a bedroom into an office

Eric Piasecki

With so many people working from home today, a home office makes perfect sense. Fortunately, this is often easy to achieve by simply outfitting your space with the right furniture. On the other hand, completely remodeling a bedroom with built-ins or other expensive features can hurt resale value. Valente says, “Reducing the number of bedrooms can turn off potential buyers. A simpler, more versatile office space that can easily be converted back into a bedroom is often a better investment.”

On the trail of the latest interior design trend

Seeing a trend catching on on social media might inspire you to take on a project in your home, but first consider whether you really like the look and are willing to live with it for the next five to ten years.

“Everyone wants their home to look modern, but design trends rarely stand the test of time,” says Vyshnevska. “It never takes long for hot trends to become unfashionable, especially if they are niche or based on pop culture. Chasing trends—[like Barbiecore and Colorcore]— can give your home a trendy look for a short time, but do you really want to constantly renovate to keep up with the trend?”

Ultra-specialized rooms

If your dream home has a wine cellar, a gym or a cinema, go for it – it is your home, after all! However, keep in mind that these highly-specialized spaces may not be of interest to buyers if you decide to sell in the future.

“Buyers will have to pay for the remodel or, more likely, walk away from purchasing your property,” says Vyshnevska. “Buyers want versatile, multifunctional spaces, so it's best to wait to create dedicated rooms until you've found your forever home.” Instead, make changes that are easily undone by changing furniture and paint.

Super small additions

If you're planning an addition to your home, Dutton says you may be able to spend more money on a major renovation than on a minor one. For example, it probably won't be financially worthwhile to enlarge a closet or add a tiny powder room.

“Adding just a few extra square feet can cost a fortune due to fixed costs such as architectural fees, engineering services and minimum construction costs,” explains Dutton. “Unless you plan on building a large addition, where these costs are spread over a larger area and the cost per square foot goes down, focus on maximizing the available space with the help of a professional organizer or closet designer.”