11 Common Remodeling Regrets and How to Avoid Them
- elle2430
- Mar 24
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 26
At Denver Flooring & Finishes, our job isn’t just to sell flooring or finishes. We’re here to educate, guide, and support every step of the way. We work closely with builders, designers, and homeowners across the Denver area, and with each project, we learn something new. That spirit of ongoing learning and partnership is something we bring into every conversation.
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all design or chasing trends just because they’re popular. We believe in helping people make smart, beautiful choices that bring peace of mind now and long-term joy later. We also believe in being honest when something looks good on Pinterest or HGTV but might not be the best fit for your family or lifestyle.
Over the years, we’ve seen where things go wrong. So today, we’re sharing 11 common remodeling regrets and how to avoid them. Whether you’re planning a full renovation or just redoing one space, we hope these insights help you make confident, lasting decisions.
1. Picking Style Over Everyday Use
Some materials are beautiful in photos but difficult to live with. A great example is marble countertops. They look stunning, but they stain easily and can scratch with everyday use. The same goes for delicate flooring or light-colored materials in high-traffic areas.
At DFF, we always ask how a space will be used. Do you have pets? Do you cook every night? Do you want something that’s low maintenance? We help you find options that are both beautiful and built to last.
Our tip: Don’t choose based on looks alone. Think about how materials will perform in your daily life.
2. Making It Too Open
Open floor plans used to be the goal for every remodel. But after years of working from home and spending more time indoors, many families now want a little more privacy and separation.
We’ve seen homeowners add doors, walls, or built-ins because their space felt too open or too noisy. While openness can be nice, a completely open layout doesn’t work for everyone.
Our tip: Think about how your home needs to function. Would quiet zones or private areas help your day run smoother? There are plenty of ways to keep things feeling open while still adding comfort and calm.
3. Mixing Too Many Styles or Materials
It’s easy to fall in love with lots of different styles, but when too many are mixed together, a home can feel disconnected. This often happens when people choose items one at a time without thinking about how they all work together.
Flooring is a big one. If the color or style changes from room to room, the space can feel choppy. The same thing happens with fixtures, finishes, and paint.
Our tip: Choose a few consistent elements that run throughout your home, like flooring tone or cabinet finishes. Then add personality in smaller ways like color and decor. We can help you build a design that feels intentional and well-balanced.
4. Forgetting About Real Life
We always ask our clients, “What does a normal day look like in your home?” That helps us guide them toward finishes that fit their lifestyle.
If you have pets or kids, you’ll want scratch-resistant floors and easy-to-clean surfaces. If you’re planning to age in place, you may need non-slip flooring or smoother transitions between rooms. These choices may not be the most exciting part of the design, but they make all the difference long term.
Our tip: Be honest about your lifestyle. Good design should work with your life, not against it.
5. Skipping Professional Help for Selections
With so many online resources and inspiration boards, it’s tempting to try and pick everything yourself. But without someone helping you tie it all together, things can clash, feel off, or simply not fit your space.
We’ve worked with clients who loved each selection on its own, but when everything came together, the space didn’t flow. That often leads to expensive changes after the fact.
Our tip: Lean on professionals who know how to coordinate color, scale, and performance. Our team loves helping clients bring their vision to life without the overwhelm.
6. Underestimating the Budget for Quality
It’s smart to look for ways to save during a remodel, but choosing the cheapest option isn’t always the best call. Some materials don’t hold up over time, and fixing or replacing them later ends up costing more.
We’ve had clients tell us they wish they had invested a little more in flooring, cabinetry, or hardware that could withstand their daily routine.
Our tip: We’ll always help you find the right balance between price and performance. There are smart ways to save, and places where it’s worth spending a little more to get long-term value.
7. Ignoring the Power of Lighting
Lighting completely affects how a space looks and feels, but it often gets overlooked. One overhead fixture isn’t enough in a kitchen or bathroom. And if a space feels too dark or too harsh, it’s hard to enjoy it.
We’ve seen beautifully designed spaces fall flat because the lighting wasn’t planned well. Without enough layers of light, even the best materials can look dull.
Our tip: Plan lighting early and use a mix of general, task, and accent lighting to create a warm and functional environment.
8. Overlooking Floor Transitions
The way flooring connects from one space to another is something many people don’t think about until the project is nearly finished. But bad transitions can make a home feel disjointed, uneven, or even unsafe.
We’ve seen homes with five different floor types and no clear transition plan. Others have trip hazards or awkward shifts in height.
Our tip: Let us help you plan your flooring as one connected system. The right transition pieces and thoughtful layout can make your home feel more open and intentional.
9. Skipping Heated Floors
This is one of the most common things people wish they had done during a remodel. Heated floors make a huge difference in bathrooms, basements, and anywhere tile can feel cold. Once the floors are installed, it’s much harder to go back and add them.
They’re not just a luxury. Heated floors improve comfort, help with energy efficiency, and make winter mornings feel a lot better.
Our tip: If you’re installing new flooring, it’s the perfect time to add radiant heat. We rarely hear anyone regret it.
10. Not Using Pocket Doors
Pocket doors can save a lot of space and create flexibility in places where a swinging door gets in the way. Bathrooms, laundry rooms, and closets are perfect places for them.
We’ve had clients realize too late that a pocket door would have improved their layout, and by then it was too late to add one without major changes.
Our tip: If you’re tight on space or want to create separation without a bulky door, pocket doors are a smart option. We’ll help you plan for them early in the process.
11. Choosing a Doorless Shower
Doorless showers might look sleek in photos, but they don’t work well for everyone. They can let water splash out onto the bathroom floor, which makes cleaning harder and can even create safety issues.
We’ve had clients come back saying they missed the warmth and comfort a shower door provides.
Our tip: If you love the look of a doorless shower, we can help design one that works with smart drainage and layout. But in most cases, a well-designed glass door gives you the best of both style and function.
From Regret to Results
At Denver Flooring & Finishes, education is part of everything we do. We keep learning with each project, working alongside our trade partners and clients to find materials that perform better, selections that offer peace of mind, and designs that feel good for years to come.
We’re here to help you avoid costly mistakes, rethink trends that may not be right for your home, and make design choices you’ll feel great about every single day.
Remodeling should feel exciting and rewarding. If you’re planning a renovation or starting fresh, we’d love to be your trusted partner in the process.
Denver Flooring and Finishing
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