California Homeowners Regret These Bathroom Upgrades The Most
Bathroom renovations can feel exciting at first, but not every upgrade ages well. Some choices that seem trendy or luxurious at the start quickly turn into daily annoyances or costly mistakes.
Here are the bathroom upgrades California homeowners wish they could take back. The proof that style doesn’t always equal smart.
1. Freestanding Bathtubs
How many times have you cleaned around the base of one of these beauties? Freestanding bathtubs look like magazine-worthy sculptures until you realize the nightmare of scrubbing every exposed side.
Water splashes everywhere. Dust collects in spots you cannot reach. Reaching over the edge to bathe kids becomes a backbreaker.
They eat up floor space and offer zero storage. My advice, built-ins give you function without the circus act.
2. Overly Trendy Tile Designs
Bold geometric patterns scream style today but whisper regret tomorrow. Overly trendy tile designs make your bathroom feel stuck in a time capsule within a few years.
Resale buyers often cringe at loud patterns. Replacing tile is expensive and messy. What felt fresh becomes exhausting to look at daily.
Stick with classic subway or neutral stone. Save the wild patterns for throw pillows you can swap out when trends shift.
3. Open Showers Without Doors
It sounds spa-like until your entire bathroom floor becomes a wading pool. Open showers without doors let water escape no matter how careful you are.
Cold drafts sneak in mid-shower. Steam fogs up mirrors and damages paint. Your towels and toilet paper become casualties of splash zones.
Unless your bathroom is gigantic with perfect drainage, skip this look. A frameless glass door gives you style without the flood.
4. Wall-Mounted Toilets
Where do repairs happen when the plumbing hides inside your wall? Wall-mounted toilets create a floating illusion that looks clean and modern at first glance.
But when something breaks, accessing the tank means tearing into drywall. Installation costs run high. Not every plumber wants to tackle the job.
The minimalist vibe fades fast when you face a four-figure repair bill. Standard floor models work just fine and save you future headaches.
5. High-Maintenance Materials
Marble and other porous stones look stunning until the first wine spill etches the surface forever. High-maintenance materials demand constant sealing, special cleaners, and kid-free zones.
Scratches show up easily. Water spots become permanent. You spend more time protecting surfaces than enjoying them.
Quartz and porcelain offer similar beauty with none of the babysitting. Save yourself the stress and choose materials that forgive everyday life.
6. Poor Lighting Choices
Did you ever try applying makeup in a cave? Poor lighting choices turn your bathroom into a shadow factory where you cannot see your own reflection clearly.
Single overhead fixtures create harsh shadows. Dim bulbs make mornings miserable. Task lighting around mirrors is non-negotiable for function.
Layered lighting with dimmers gives you control. Bright vanity lights plus ambient ceiling fixtures solve the problem without a total redo.
7. Floating Vanities
Though they create visual space, floating vanities sacrifice storage where you need it most. That gap underneath collects dust and offers nowhere to stash extra towels or cleaning supplies.
Plumbing stays exposed and visible. Installation requires solid wall studs. Heavier countertops risk sagging over time.
Floor-standing vanities with drawers give you the same sleek look plus actual function. You will thank yourself every time you need to store something.
8. All-White Bathrooms
Are you ready to clean constantly? All-white bathrooms look crisp in photos but feel like operating rooms in real life.
Every speck of dirt shows instantly. Grout lines turn gray fast. The sterile vibe lacks warmth and personality.
Adding texture through wood tones or matte black fixtures breaks up the monotony. A little contrast makes the space feel human instead of hospital-like.
9. Removing The Tub Entirely
When you have kids or plan to sell, this choice haunts you. Removing the tub entirely limits your buyer pool and eliminates a key function families need.
Bathing toddlers in showers is chaos. Soaking after long days becomes impossible. Resale value often drops without at least one tub in the home.
Keep one tub somewhere, even in a secondary bathroom. Future you and future buyers will appreciate the flexibility.
10. Cheap Fixtures
Hence the saying, buy once, cry once. Cheap fixtures corrode, leak, and break within months, turning your budget win into a costly do-over.
Finishes peel off. Handles strip. Water pressure suffers. You end up replacing everything sooner than expected.
Invest in mid-range fixtures with solid warranties. Quality hardware lasts decades and elevates the entire bathroom without breaking the bank upfront.
