Removing Upper Cabinets
Tearing out upper cabinets for a “modern” open look sounds appealing, but most homeowners regret losing all that storage. Suddenly, there’s nowhere for pantry items or small appliances. Don’t be fooled by those nice photos online – chances are no-one is actually using the kitchen photographed.
Peel-And-Stick Backsplash Tiles
Don’t be fooled by peel-and-stick backsplashes. They look really fake up close. Instead of adding charm like people hope, the backsplash often makes the whole kitchen look cheap. Many regret not just hiring a pro or choosing classic tile in the first place.
Painted Countertops
Painting laminate or old stone countertops seems like a nice kitchen facelift, but it rarely holds up. The paint chips, scratches, and stains easily, especially in a busy kitchen. Within weeks, the “upgrade” looks worse than the original.
Open Shelving Everywhere
Open shelves look cool in design blogs and on Pinterest, but living with them is a different story. Every dish, glass, and quirky spice jar collects dust and grease. Unless you’re a minimalist who loves constant cleaning, the shelves become cluttered fast. Luckily, people are starting to realize this!
DIY Concrete Countertops
Concrete countertops seem like a modern, affordable upgrade, but pouring and sealing them properly is trickier than it looks. Most DIY versions end up cracked, stained, or uneven. Homeowners quickly learn that “industrial chic” is actually very hard to do successfully.
Repainting Cabinets Without Prep
Slapping paint on cabinets without sanding or priming is a shortcut many homeowners regret. At first, it looks fine - but within weeks, the paint chips and peels from constant use. Drawers stick and doors look unpleasantly streaky.
Cheap Vinyl Flooring
Budget vinyl sheets or peel-and-stick planks seem like an easy DIY win, but in a high-traffic kitchen, they don’t last. Corners curl, seams gap, and the surface dents from chairs or appliances. Many regret skipping proper prep or underlayment too. Basically, if you want good flooring in your kitchen, you have to be prepared to pay out.
DIY Under-Cabinet Lighting
Under-cabinet lighting is another one that looks great on Pinterest but is a huge pain. Adhesives give out, batteries die constantly, and the light is usually dim or uneven. Some homeowners even deal with wires dangling everywhere.
Stainless Steel Contact Paper on Appliances
Covering outdated appliances with stainless steel contact paper seems like a clever hack, but the reality is bitterly disappointing. The film bubbles, scratches, and peels from heat and use. It never truly fools anyone - it looks like exactly what it is: a flimsy cover-up.
DIY Kitchen Islands
Building a kitchen island from scratch is way harder than it looks. Many homeowners misjudge proportions, leaving awkward spacing and poor functionality. Storage often ends up limited, and finishes don’t always match the rest of the kitchen.
Painted Tile Floors
Painting old tile floors is fun and even rewarding if you’re an artist, but… well. Chairs, spills, and constant traffic wear your pretty paintwork down fast. Homeowners often regret the project within months and end up replacing the floor anyway.
Faux Marble Epoxy Counters
Epoxy resin kits promising “marble-like” counters have tempted many DIYers. Unfortunately, it’s messy, time-sensitive, and hard to get smooth. Resin is one of those things that should really be left up to an expert if you want it done right.
Cabinet Refacing With Veneer Sheets
Using adhesive veneer sheets to “re-skin” old cabinets seems like a budget-friendly trick, but the results rarely last. Edges peel, corners lift, and any cooking steam weakens the glue. They look fine at first, but within a year, most kitchens look worse than before and out comes your wallet again.
DIY Open Wine Racks
Adding built-in wine cubbies or open racks in the kitchen seems kinda classy - until dust, grease, and temperature fluctuations ruin your bottles. Wine stored in the wrong conditions doesn’t age well, either. Best to avoid altogether.
Chalkboard Paint Walls
Painting a whole kitchen wall with chalkboard paint sounds great if you have kids! Alas, it usually turns into a headache. Chalk dust spreads everywhere and writing on the wall gets old fast – even the kids will tire of it before too long. Instead of charming, it often feels messy and darkens the space.
DIY Pot Racks From the Ceiling
Hanging pots from the ceiling is a popular trend across the home décor corners of the internet, but in reality, it’s a pain. The rack collects grease and dust, you’ll always be banging your head if you’re tall, and pots clang whenever you try to grab one.
Glass-Front Cabinet Doors
Swapping solid cabinet doors for glass fronts seems elegant, but it puts all your dishes on display. Every mismatched mug and plastic container suddenly feels like part of the kitchen décor. Plus, fingerprints and smudges show constantly.
Stick-On Cabinet Hardware
Some DIYers try adhesive handles and knobs as a shortcut instead of drilling. Unfortunately, they never hold up. The adhesive loosens, especially in warm kitchens, and soon you’re opening cabinets with no handles. You might start wondering, why on earth do people make stick-ons in the first place?
DIY Stone Veneer Walls
Adding faux stone panels to a kitchen wall seems cozy, like you’re in a firelit kitchen in the olden days. But it doesn’t work out that way. The uneven surfaces collect grime, and many homeowners find the installation looks fake up close.
Spray-Painting Appliances
Grabbing a can of appliance spray paint seems like a cheap way to update outdated colors, but the results often streak, chip, or peel. Heat and daily use quickly wear the paint down. Save the spray paint for outdoor art projects.
Farmhouse Sink Installs
Installing a farmhouse sink is a heavy, complicated job that many DIYers underestimate. Cabinets often need modification, and poor support can lead to sagging or leaks. Without professional help, the sink rarely sits flush, leading to constant water messes. Plus they’re going out of fashion now anyway!
DIY Crown Molding on Cabinets
Adding crown molding to cabinets seems like a classy touch, but cutting and fitting it properly takes real skill. Most DIY versions end up looking uneven, with awkward gaps. Instead of polished, the kitchen feels sloppy, and people soon feel the regret.
Whitewashed Brick Backsplash
Painting or whitewashing brick backsplashes is trendy but impractical. The rough surface traps grease and is nearly impossible to clean. Paint peels over time, leaving the wall patchy. Homeowners often regret covering original brick, too.
Removing Cabinet Doors for “Open Storage”
Taking doors off cabinets for open shelving is a quick DIY fix that many regret. Instead of stylish, it often looks half-finished, and dust and grease build up fast. Unless you have perfectly matching dishware, it makes your kitchen look a mess.
DIY Beadboard on Islands
Adding beadboard panels to kitchen islands seems like a cute, cottage-style upgrade. But in reality, the grooves collect dust and grime, and the edges chip easily. Many DIY attempts also end up uneven or poorly aligned.
Faux Brick Panels
Installing faux brick panels for an accent wall or backsplash is another DIY trend that disappoints. The panels look obviously fake up close, and steam or heat makes them peel or warp. Cleaning them is frustrating, too.
Painting Appliances Bright Colors
Some homeowners attempt to customize appliances with bold paint colors - like blue fridges or red stoves. While fun at first, the finish usually chips, scratches, or yellows from heat. Styles also date quickly, leaving the kitchen looking old-fashioned.
Wallpaper Backsplashes
Wallpaper backsplashes are a terrible, terrible idea. They look great for about five minutes, then steam and splatters ruin them fast. The edges peel, grease stains set in, and you’re left with a horrible mess.
Tiled Countertops
DIY tiled counters sound creative, but they’re one of the most regretted kitchen projects. Grout lines stain instantly, tiles chip, and the surface never feels smooth enough for cooking or rolling dough. People quickly realize why tiled counters fell out of fashion decades ago.
Over-Sized Light Fixtures
Swapping in huge statement light fixtures seems stylish, but many DIYers misjudge scale. The lights dominate the room and usually provide awkward, uneven lighting. Instead of elevating the kitchen, they make it feel cramped.
Removing Pantry Space
Turning a pantry into open shelving or decorative space often backfires. At first, it feels modern and airy, but soon homeowners miss the functional storage. Food ends up spread across cabinets or sitting on counters, making the kitchen look messy.
Dark Cabinet Paint Colors
Painting cabinets a dark color feels trendy, but many homeowners regret it fast. Dark shades show every fingerprint, grease smudge, and scratch. They also make kitchens feel smaller and darker, especially without good lighting.
Painted Sink Basins
Some homeowners try painting an old porcelain or stainless steel sink to refresh it, but the finish never lasts. Daily scrubbing and hot water quickly cause the paint to chip or peel. Basically, just stop painting things in your kitchen!
DIY Floating Shelves With Poor Anchors
Installing floating shelves sounds like an easy way to add storage, but many DIYers underestimate how much weight they’ll hold. Poor anchors lead to sagging or shelves ripping out of the wall. When dishes or decor come crashing down, homeowners quickly regret the upgrade.
DIY Tile Backsplash Without Spacers
Many DIYers skip tile spacers, thinking they’ll eyeball it. Don’t do this, because the result is crooked lines, uneven grout, and a backsplash that screams amateur. Once grout sets, mistakes are permanent. Homeowners often regret the shortcut every time they look at their uneven tiles.
