When you undertake a home renovation of any kind, there’s a lot at stake: your creative vision, your finances, the structural integrity of your home, and perhaps your sanity. Mistakes are inevitable when it comes to home renovation, but it’s worth remembering that even the smallest projects require a delicate balance between ambition and patience. That’s why careful planning is such an important first step, to prevent small mistakes (botched measurements, hardware errors, and massive leaks, to name a few) before they become bigger problems down the road.
While delays will disrupt the process at some point, there are some surefire ways to avoid making the most glaring home renovation mistakes. Below, interior designers, contractors, and other home improvement professionals reveal the six biggest mistakes you’ll want to avoid during your next project.
1. Prioritize cosmetic improvements over fundamental ones
Neutral and Bohemian Coastal Home Decor for South Florida in 2024Photography by Crystal Bolin
It’s tempting to want to build the ensuite bathroom of your dreams before fixing the boring stuff, like your old water heater. But skipping over fundamental upgrades is a big mistake, according to Gabriela Narvaez, general contractor and founder of Guild Properties.
“I once had a client who wanted to renovate and upgrade her kitchen above all else. Her dream was to have a brand new, luxurious kitchen. However, her dream would have turned into a nightmare if she hadn’t discovered that her roof had a real hole in it,” she says. “When we did a roof inspection, we discovered that water was already falling into her attic. If she had gone ahead without addressing and fixing the roof, her beautiful new cabinets and countertops would have been ruined by water damage from the leaky roof.”
To avoid a catastrophe, make sure your home’s interior structures and systems are in order before you take out the tile samples.
2. Ignoring the architectural integrity of your home
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What is a common regret among Laura Williams’ clients? Failing to maintain the architectural integrity of their homes. The founder and owner of ATX Interior Design explains that the structure of a home is important and should be respected. “For example, if you have a mid-century home but love the traditional design style, you may not be doing the home any favors by trying to force a remodel to fit that design,” she says. “We don’t need to add columns to a streamlined mid-century style.”
This is especially true when it comes to a home’s exterior, adds Michael Brickner, president of Precision Garage Door Service, a Neighborly company. “A common mistake when updating a garage door is to avoid the architectural style of the home,” he says. “You want to make sure the overall design of the garage door complements the rest of the home.”
Of course, there are clever ways to break the rules, but instead of reaching for the hammer right away, try taking some time and sitting down to think about your innovative vision.
3. Do not select all the renovation materials together
Janelle Blakely Photopoulos, owner and principal of Rhode Island-based Blakely Interior Design, advises against selecting all project materials in a piecemeal fashion. It’s one of the biggest mistakes she sees people make. “They find a tile they love and go for it before they’ve planned the rest of the space,” she says. “A week later they find the countertop of their dreams, but the hues don’t really match the tile they already ordered.”
