Transforming your home is an exciting prospect, whether you're dreaming of a bigger kitchen, a brighter living space, or a layout that finally works for modern life. But not every renovation delivers the results homeowners hope for. From dark, impractical rooms and poor storage solutions to stripping out period features you'll later miss, some mistakes are so common that design experts are called in to fix them time and time again. Here, they reveal the biggest renovation regrets they see most often — and how to avoid them from the start.
1. Lack of natural light and no layered lighting scheme
Windows are your home's natural light sources, and almost all of our experts said they had been called in to bring some much-needed light back to rooms. As one of the most overlooked aspects of interior design, poor lighting can leave rooms feeling lifeless, dull, or unbalanced, and low-light rooms can be particularly challenging.
For a simple, cost-effective fix, focus on the tones of your light bulbs. 'Using a slightly cooler tone for daytime to match natural light and warmer amber tones for the evening creates an inviting glow that works all day and night,' says designer Tommy Kebbson.
Taking a layered lighting approach adds another level of ambience. ‘The layering and tasteful washes of light add a wonderful sense of personality to a living space,’ Tommy adds. From table lamps to uplighters, thoughtfully placed lighting can highlight decorative elements and create mood.
For a bigger renovation, if you're looking to brighten up your home and create a more cheerful atmosphere, consider installing skylights – it’s a fantastic way to flood your home with natural light.
2. Original features and architectural details ripped out
Stripping out original features is another mishap many homeowners wish hadn’t happened. Sometimes fireplaces, cornices, or staircases, all of which are integral to a home's character, are ripped out, and experts say many find replacing these with modern alternatives erases the charm and value of a property.
Tommy suggests finding ways to modernise these features instead of removing them: ‘We love to draw on Georgian architects for elegant and timeless design, adding features like architrave rosettes or blocks. You can give fixtures a facelift and keep the historical truth of a place,’ he explains.
3. Open-plan spaces with no zones or storage
Open-plan living shifted during the pandemic, and the rise in remote working saw a demand for dedicated rooms and zones. Aside from the obvious lack of privacy many lament in open-plan spaces, storage is one of the most common concerns. ‘Open spaces often lack storage, making it difficult to maintain a clutter-free environment,’ says Victoria Brown, co-founder of Musson Brown Architects, Adding features such as integrated shelving can solve this issue without compromising the airy, spacious feel.
'Another common concern is that open-plan spaces can sometimes feel cold and soulless,' adds Julia Kendell, founder of Kendell+Co. 'Clever design solutions, such as floor-to-ceiling bookcases or glazed panels, help divide the space into zones, adding vertical interest and stops it looking bland.'
Acoustic and practical considerations are also key. Noise travels easily in open layouts, and cooking smells can linger longer than expected. Solutions such as acoustic panels, high-quality extractor fans, and washable fabrics can make open-plan spaces functional and inviting.
4. The wrong colour palette
Picking colours that work with your home’s unique elements rather than chasing trends is something to be mindful of, as interior designers are often called in to overhaul a room's colour palette. ‘We often pick a colour we love without considering how it works in the overall scheme,' says designer Phoebe Hollond. A shade that looks beautiful on a swatch, or in someone else’s home, can clash with your furnishings, lighting, or architectural details, creating a disjointed look overall.
It's not just about the colour – furniture, flooring, and even the direction of light play a role. It's a good idea to use testers on walls and observe them at different times of day in various rays of light. Introducing colourful accents (from artwork to accessories) can be a workaround for adding vibrancy and injecting personality to a space without going OTT.
5. Fleeting trends
Trendy designs from TikTok and Instagram might feel fresh today, but experts say they often lose appeal quickly and can have a limited shelf life.
Tommy suggests balancing timeless features with on-trend details that are easy to update. ‘It’s about creating spaces that grow with you, not ones that need a complete overhaul in five years,' he says. Investing in quality materials and personal touches will ensure your home feels unique and enduring, no matter how trends evolve.
6. Trendy tiles
Tile selection has been an issue on several projects that Alexis Woodbury Earman, interior designer with The Woodbury Home, has worked on. 'Many homeowners choose tiles based on inspiration photos and current trends,' she says. 'Though these tile choices can be beautiful in pictures, the owner can grow tired of the trend and want to replace it with something more classic.'
She ends up replacing these on-trend designs with neutral-coloured tiles and adding colour to spaces with paint instead. That way, whenever they want to change the colour in the space, they can do so much more easily.
7. Clear glass doors
Kitchen cabinets or pantry doors with clear glass doors can be beautiful, but they come with a few practical challenges that make them hard to live with, says designer Ashley Macuga of Collected Interiors.
'Since glass doors reveal what's inside, any clutter or mismatched items are easily visible, which can make even a new kitchen look messy if not perfectly maintained,' she says. 'A quick fix is to update the clear glass to reeded glass, which obscures the visual, while still keeping the elegance of the material.'
8. Doorless showers
Doorless showers may look great, but people who have actually had them installed often find them to be more trouble than they’re worth, says interior designer Shiva Samiei. Water tends to splash outside of the shower area, causing moisture damage and slip-and-fall hazards. They can also feel stark rather than cosy, leaving you feeling exposed.
Custom glass panels and new drainage solutions are usually the fix that strikes a middle ground, helping bathrooms preserve a modern look while containing all the water.
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