Renovating your home sounds like a dream, right? A fresh start to create a space that finally works for you and a chance to bring all those Pinterest boards to life.
What could possibly go wrong? Well… quite a lot, actually. But don’t panic – that’s where we come in.
Luckily, our designers have seen (and fixed) it all, and they’ve shared the most common renovation mistakes to help you avoid the chaos, keep your budget in check, and create a home that looks both amazing and works brilliantly.
Let’s dive into the renovation faux pas you’ll be glad you avoided!
1. Not planning enough sockets & lighting
2. Over-personalisation that hurts resale
3. Failing to think long-term
4. Stripping out period features
5. Forgetting about access
6. DIY overkill
7. Underestimating budget (and timelines)
8. Ignoring structural issues
9. Not enough storage
10. Overlooking the details
11. Not measuring clearances
12. Panic buying
13. Skimping on lighting
14. Not thinking holistically
15. Always consider scale
Discuss your upcoming renovation with an expert. Book a FREE consultation with one of our interior designers today:
1. Not planning enough sockets & lighting
Image credit: My Bespoke Room
There’s nothing worse than finally settling into your beautifully renovated home, curling up on the sofa with a good book… and realising there’s no plug socket nearby for your reading lamp. Or heading into your shiny new kitchen, ready to make breakfast, only to find there’s nowhere to plug in the kettle or toaster!
Sockets and lighting may not be the most glamorous part of a renovation, but they’re absolutely essential… and easy to get wrong if they’re not considered early enough.
Renovating is the perfect opportunity to seamlessly hide sockets behind furniture or inside cupboards, creating a more efficient home without compromising on style. Our interior designers can create detailed layout plans that lock in furniture, lighting, and traffic flow, giving you a clear roadmap for exactly where sockets can go.
Figuring out where to get started when renovating? Check out our guide.
2. Over-personalisation that hurts resale
Image credit: My Bespoke Room
Even though you’re renovating your new home for you, it’s still important to think about the future and perhaps the next buyers of your home.
That pink kitchen might be so you, but will the next buyer feel the same? Our designers have seen it all, from bedrooms that have a bathtub slap bang in the centre of the room, offering little privacy, to things that don’t seem so extreme but always put buyers off, like large built-in TVs that leave gaping holes for the new homeowners to fill.
Working with an interior designer can help you strike the perfect balance between personal flair and future proofing so your home feels like you but puts your home high in demand when the time comes.
Discover the updates that will add the most value to your home, all whilst adding personality and flair, by talking to one of our expert designers for free:
3. Failing to think long term
Image credit: My Bespoke Room & Da Sliva Design
Just like we’ve seen clients make the mistake of forgetting resale value, we’ve also seen them completely forget that their home should grow with them. Toddlers will soon enough turn into teens, and the needs for your home soon become very different too!
Opting for that dreamy, oversized primary bedroom instead of the extra bathroom might come back to bite you when there’s sibling arguments over who gets to use the bathroom first.
And while open-plan layouts scream “togetherness,” they can start to feel chaotic once the kids are older, when someone’s on a Zoom call, another person is cooking, and the TV is on.
This is where our designers love a broken plan layout: a clever hybrid that keeps the connection between spaces but allows for separation when needed. It’s the best of both worlds: visibility when the kids are young, privacy when everyone needs a bit more breathing room.
4. Stripping out period features
Image credit: My Bespoke Room
A big renovation no-no that always makes our interior designers shed a tear or two: when charming period properties fall victim to over-modernisation.
Those original cornices, fireplaces, and floorboards? Once they’re gone, they’re gone, and costly to replicate. Too many renovators rush to “modernise” without thinking it through.
An interior designer can help bring your home into the modern day whilst still appreciating the past, creating a timeless space which feels totally you whilst embracing that original character that will leave all who visit your home just a little jealous.
Get expert advice on how to style your period property by booking a FREE consultation with one of our interior designers:
5. Forgetting about access
Image credit: My Bespoke Room
Here’s a mistake that literally undoes your hard work. We once had a client who lovingly decorated their entire ground floor of a charming Victorian mid-terrace… then realised the only way to access the garden was right through it. So when landscaping rolled around, cue ruined paintwork, muddy boots, dented walls and pendant lights swinging left, right and centre.
So when you begin your renovation journey, we beg of you, remember your access points and plan accordingly!
6. DIY overkill
Image credit: My Bespoke Room
Doing it yourself can be enjoyable and a fantastic way to save on costs. But oh boy, have we seen some DIY fails that end up being more costly in the long run!
Attempting tasks beyond your skill level is a very common renovation mistake, especially electrical or plumbing work, which not only has a visual impact but can also lead to some pretty big safety hazards.
So when it comes to ripping up carpets, restoring those floors and painting walls – go for it! But knowing when to hire a professional is essential for a successful and safe renovation.
Renovating your home? Let’s make sure it reflects you. Book a FREE 30-minute consultation with a designer to start shaping a space that fits your lifestyle:
7. Underestimating budget (and timelines)
Probably the number one renovation mistake that we all make! It’s not a renovation without a few timeline slip-ups or surprise bills.
Renovating without a plan is like starting a jigsaw with no picture on the box, and without a budget buffer, you’re asking for stress.
Our designer’s tips for keeping this under control are…
Start with a clear plan
Define your renovation goals, set a realistic timeline, and choose your materials carefully before work begins. A solid plan prevents last-minute decisions that can derail your budget or create a mismatched final design.Budget for the unexpected
Renovations nearly always take longer and cost more than you think. Always build in a 20% contingency to cover hidden issues or design changes; it’s your safety net against stress.Get 3–4 quotes from tradespeople
This sweet spot lets you compare prices and approaches without becoming overwhelmed. Too many quotes can muddy the waters and delay your decision.Request itemised quotes
Make sure every quote includes a clear breakdown of labour, materials, and VAT. Vague lump sums are a red flag – transparency is key.Don’t just choose the cheapest option
If a quote seems too good to be true, it probably is. It may be missing key elements or signal corner-cutting. Long-term quality always pays off.Be wary of contractors who are “available immediately”
We get it, you’re eager to start. But in-demand professionals are usually worth the wait.
8. Ignoring structural issues
Image credit: My Bespoke Room
No matter how beautiful that new paint shade is, it won’t hide underlying structural problems. Ignoring foundational issues like cracks, damp, or old wiring will always catch up with you and cost more later.
A big renovation can feel daunting, but you don’t have to figure it all out alone! Book a FREE 30-minute call with one of our expert designers to get your bearings.
9. Not enough storage
Image credit: My Bespoke Room
Say it louder for the people at the back! You will never regret having too much storage. Renovations are the ideal time to build it in, but most people forget. Trust us, you’ll never regret that bespoke under-stairs shoe cabinet or the seamless built-in wardrobes.
Our designers can spot every hidden nook and recommend joinery that blends seamlessly with your space, keeping clutter at bay!
10. Overlooking the details
Image credit: My Bespoke Room & Da Sliva Design
Taps. Handles. Light switches. Sockets. These finishing touches might seem small, but they tie everything together.
Whether you’re opting for brushed brass or matt black, deciding the details helps make your space feel so much more cohesive and pulled together.
Need help deciding the final details? Book a FREE call with one of our designers to discuss your ideas:
11. Not measuring clearances
Image credit: My Bespoke Room
That beautiful wardrobe? Useless if the doors are blocked by the bed when trying to open them. The hallway? Frustrating if it’s a tight squeeze. It’s surprisingly common but totally avoidable.
Working with an interior designer means the traffic flow of your space is well thought out, and there will be no shimmying every time you need to get out the door.
12. Panic buying
The clock is ticking. Your builder needs the shower and sink unit chosen now! You panic-buy something “for now” – and end up hating it in 6 months.
Deciding your design directions early (like we do as part of our design process) means you’re geared up with the concepts and shopping lists for when the inevitable questions come your way.
Avoid the panic buying and get expert advice on what pieces to choose by booking a FREE consultation with one of our designers:
13. Skimping on lighting
Image credit: My Bespoke Room
Overhead spots are not a lighting plan and will inevitably make you feel like you’re in a showroom. A beautifully lit space uses task lighting, mood lighting, and accent lighting – not just a grid of bulbs.
So don’t forget those pendants, table lamps, wall sconces and floor lamps to make your house feel truly like home.
14. Not thinking holistically
Image credit: My Bespoke Room
Designing each room in isolation can create a disjointed vibe. What ties it all together? That’s what we interior designers like to call the “red thread”.
This is something that connects every room effortlessly, without making every room feel identical. This could be…
- One colour accent repeated throughout. We’re not talking every wall painted the same colour, but if green is your choice, you might have a couple of rooms drenched in the shade, one with just a feature wall, where other spaces may have just a green armchair and lamp, and another with some green wall art and textiles like cushions and rugs that feature variations of that green colour.
- Use the same flooring throughout each level. Whether it’s laminate or oak herringbone, having the same flooring tying every room together creates an effortlessly cohesive look. So, make sure to think before you go for stone tiles in the kitchen, checkboard in the bathroom, carpet in the living room and wood in the hall.
- Subtle nods to one furniture style. Choose one style to take up around 70% of the home, and then go wild with the other 30% to add that splash of personality. Whether it’s mid-century or industrial, picking pieces predominantly from one style to do throughout the home will instantly tie everything together.
Our designers can give you advice on how to bring your home together. Book a FREE consultation with our experts to discover how:
15. Always consider scale
Image credit: My Bespoke Room
It’s not just oversized sofas you need to worry about; poor scale can affect everything from lighting to layout. For instance, pendant lights hung so low above a kitchen island that they turn into a forehead hazard or architectural plans that only offer enough room for a 4-seater dining table when the family has 6 members.
Working with an interior designer helps you avoid these oversights and ensures your home is both practical and beautiful. We can look over architectural plans, creating layouts for your new space which work seamlessly.
