15 New Home Design Regrets to Avoid Before You Build

Inside: The biggest new home design regrets usually aren’t about paint colors or countertops. Here are 15 practical design choices homeowners wish they’d thought through before moving in.

This post contains Amazon and other affiliate links for your convenience. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase something through any link, I may receive a small commission, at no extra charge to you. I only recommend products that I love or would purchase for myself. See my full disclosure here.

One of the funny things about building a new home is that almost nobody says, “I wish we’d spent more time picking out the doorknobs.” Instead, it’s more likely to sound like:

“I wish we’d put an outlet there.”

“I can’t believe we didn’t think about where the vacuum cleaner would go.”

“This room looked so much bigger before we put our furniture in it.”

Those aren’t the decisions that get much attention during the building process, but they’re often the ones that have the biggest impact on how a home functions every single day.

After watching a friend build a home from the ground up, I was reminded that many of the biggest regrets don’t have anything to do with the pretty finishes. They come from the practical details that are easy to overlook while you’re making hundreds of decisions in a short amount of time.

In my last post in this new home build series, I shared the approach that helped make all of those finish selections feel less overwhelming. This time, I want to focus on the things homeowners often wish they’d thought through just as carefully.

None of these are deal breakers, and no one gets every decision exactly right. But if you’re still in the planning stage, a little extra thought now can have you patting yourself on the back later.

What Are the Biggest New Home Design Regrets?

The biggest new home design regrets usually have less to do with decorating and more to do with everyday living. They’re the small decisions that affect daily life, including electrical planning, storage, lighting, bathroom details, outdoor spaces, and other features that are much harder to change after move-in. Below are some of the most common ones to think through before your home is finished.

1. Picture Yourself Living in the House Every Day.

Many homeowners don’t regret the floor plan itself—they regret not thinking through how they’d actually use it daily.

It’s easy to fall in love with a layout on paper. What’s harder is imagining how it will work on an ordinary Tuesday. Before your plans are finalized, mentally walk through a typical day from the time you wake up until you go to bed.

Ask yourself:

• Where will you set your purse or keys when you come in the door?
• Is there a convenient place to kick off your shoes?
• Can two people work in the kitchen without getting in each other’s way?
• Is the laundry room where it makes sense for the way your family actually lives?
• How will groceries get from the garage to the pantry?
• Where will backpacks, purses, and shoes naturally land?
• Will you be carrying laundry up and down stairs?
• Does the path from your shower to your closet for clothes make sense?
• Where will guests set coats or handbags when they visit?
• Is there an easy path to let the dog outside?
• How will you bring holiday decorations down from the attic each year?
• Will everyday traffic flow through the rooms the way you expect?

You don’t have to imagine every possible scenario. Just picture everyday life once the house is furnished and lived in.

2. Plan Storage for the Life You’ll Actually Live.

Empty closets can look like they have sooo much storage. Until they’re actually storing.

That spacious pantry you admired in the model home starts filling up with small appliances, serving platters, paper towels, bulk groceries, and all the miscellaneous things that don’t have an obvious home but still need one. Before long, it’s bumping full.

Instead of asking, “Is there enough storage?” ask yourself where your everyday belongings will actually live.

Think through items like:

• Christmas decorations and gift wrap
• Suitcases and travel gear
• Serving platters, roasting pans, and holiday dishes
• Small appliances you don’t use every day
• Paper towels, toilet paper, and bulk grocery purchases
• Cleaning supplies, vacuum, broom, and mop
• Coolers, folding tables, and folding chairs
• Pet food and supplies
• Extra bedding and guest pillows
• Important files and household paperwork

A little planning now is much easier than trying to find a place for everything as you’re unpacking.

My friend looked at every storage space through the lens of how they would actually live in their new house, which I found incredibly smart. Rather than accepting the primary bedroom/bathroom linen closet as designed, they already knew they’d get more value from additional closet space and planned from the beginning to have it converted into a second closet for her husband after closing.

3. Arrange the House Around Your Furniture—Not the Model Home’s.

It’s so common for homeowners to realize after moving in that their furniture doesn’t work as well in the space as they expected.

Model homes are designed to help you imagine the possibilities. They’re professionally staged, carefully edited, and furnished with pieces that make every room feel as spacious as possible.

You may have a sectional much larger than the model’s clean line sofa and single chair. Your dining table may seat ten instead of six. You might have a recliner, a dog bed in the corner, or a Christmas tree that completely changes the layout of the living room for a month every year.

Before your plans are finalized, picture your own furniture in every room instead of the builder’s. It may influence everything from outlet placement to traffic flow.

Take time to think through things like:

• Will your sofa, chairs, or sectional leave enough room for traffic to flow comfortably?
• Does the living room have a logical wall for the television?
• Is there enough space for end tables and lamps?
• Will recliners fully extend without blocking a walkway?
• Does your dining table fit with the number of chairs you actually use?
• Is there a good place for a Christmas tree without rearranging the entire room?
• Will your bed fit on the wall you have in mind with room for nightstands on both sides?
• Have you considered where dressers, bookcases, or other larger furniture will go?
• Will windows, doors, or floor or intake vents interfere with furniture placement?

Planning around the furniture you already own can help you avoid some of the biggest surprises after moving day.

If you’re having trouble picturing how your furniture will fit, my guide to furniture placement rules includes the spacing guidelines that make rooms feel comfortable instead of cramped.

4. Think Beyond Standard Outlet Placement.

Outlet placement is one of those things homeowners almost never think about until they need one that isn’t there. Choosing outlet locations isn’t nearly as exciting as picking flooring or light fixtures, but it’s one of the details you’re most likely to appreciate—or regret—after you move in.

Most of us have looked around our house and thought, I really wish there were an outlet here. Or just as often, Why in the world did they put one there?

Sometimes a little planning now can save a lot of frustration later.

I was so impressed during my friend’s build of how she planned for projects she might want in the future. For example, she wanted an outlet on the outside of her kitchen island, but local code didn’t allow it. Instead, she had the builder install an outlet inside one of the island cabinets. If she decides later that she wants to add an exterior outlet, the wiring is already there, making it easy for an electrician to cut a hole and flip it to the outside.

She had the same forethought in the primary bathroom. Her floor plan didn’t include a sit-down vanity cutout, but she thought she might want to create one later. So before the vanity cabinet was installed, the builder added an outlet behind one bank of drawers where the cutout would go. If she eventually has a carpenter modify the vanity into a seated makeup area, the electrical will already be in place.

Those projects won’t apply to every home, but the lesson will. If there’s something you think you might want to do later, a little planning during construction could make it much easier down the road.

Inside the house, think about places for outlets like:

• Behind Christmas trees or other seasonal decorating spots
• Above kitchen cabinets for accent lighting
• Kitchen islands for mixers, slow cookers, or charging devices
• Pantries for cordless vacuum or stick vacuum chargers
• Beside or inside bathroom vanities for hair tools, electric toothbrushes, or a future makeup station
• Walk-in closets for charging cordless appliances, ironing, or future lighting
• Home offices for computers, printers, and charging stations
• Locations where you may eventually mount a television
• Floor outlets if your furniture layout calls for them

Outside, don’t forget about:

• The front porch for seasonal decorations
• The patio for entertaining or a television
• Outdoor kitchens or grilling areas
• Under the eaves for holiday lighting if you decorate the roofline
• Landscape lighting or water features
• Garage walls for an extra refrigerator, freezer, or workshop

You won’t need every one of these ideas, but taking a few minutes to think beyond the standard electrical plan can save a lot of extension cords—and a lot of “I wish we’d thought of that” moments.

5. Plan Lighting for How You’ll Actually Use Each Room.

It’s easy to spend most of your time choosing beautiful chandeliers and pendant lights because they’re the fixtures everyone notices. Most homeowners don’t realize they’ve underplanned their lighting until they’re actually using the rooms.

A single overhead fixture may be enough in one room and leave another feeling dark or even too harsh. That’s why it’s worth thinking about the layers of light each space will need—not just the fixture in the middle of the ceiling.

As you walk through your plans, ask yourself:

• Will the kitchen have enough light for cooking and meal prep after dark?
• Would under-cabinet lighting make the countertops easier to work on?
• Is the pantry bright enough to quickly find what you’re looking for?
• Would dimmer switches make the dining room or living room feel more inviting in the evenings?
• Are closets well lit so you can actually see what you’re wearing?
• Does the laundry room have enough light to sort clothes or spot stains?
• Will stairways and hallways feel safe at night?
• Is the garage bright enough for projects or simply unloading the car after dark?
• Do exterior lights provide enough visibility for guests and security?

When lighting is planned well, it’s something you rarely think about—which is exactly what you want.

6. Don’t Assume the Builder’s Standard Option Is the Best Option.

Builders have standard ways of doing almost everything, and there’s usually a good reason for it. But one thing I noticed while watching my friend build was how often she’d stop and ask, “Is that the only option?“

Builder plans are designed to work well for a wide variety of homeowners, and in many cases, the standard option may be exactly what you need. But no builder knows your routines, hobbies, or the little details that make your home work for your family.

That’s why it pays to ask questions instead of assuming the standard plan is automatically the best fit. Sometimes the answer will still be yes. Other times, you’ll discover a simple change that makes the house function better for the way you live.

As you review the plans, ask about things like:

• Are the closet shelves and hanging rods at heights that work for your family?
• Would an extra shelf in the pantry or linen closet make better use of the space?
• Are shower niches the right size and in the right location?
• Are hose bibs located where you’ll actually use them?
• Do you have enough exterior outlets for entertaining, landscaping, or holiday decorating?
• Should any rooms be prewired for ceiling fans?
• Is there enough internet or data wiring where you’ll need it?
• Are television mounting locations reinforced if you plan to hang a TV?
• Would garage shelving or storage be easier to add during construction?

You don’t need to customize everything. Just don’t be afraid to ask whether the standard option is also the right option for your family.

Another change to the builder plan that my friend made was she told the them to skip hanging the standard frameless mirrors in the secondary bathrooms because she planned to put in more decorative mirrors after closing. And the outlet inside the kitchen island cabinet is another perfect example. The builder couldn’t do exactly what they wanted because of code, but by asking questions they found a workaround that accomplished the same goal.

7. Don’t Assume You’ll Add Everything Later.

This may be one of the most common regrets of all. When costs start adding up, it’s tempting to think, We’ll do that after we move in.

And sometimes what seems like will be a simple project later becomes much more expensive, disruptive, or inconvenient once the house is finished. No one enjoys cutting into freshly painted walls or living through another round of construction just a few months after unpacking.

Of course, that doesn’t mean every upgrade belongs in your builder contract. Some projects are less expensive and offer more choices, if you wait until after closing. The key is knowing the difference.

Before you postpone a feature, ask yourself:

• Will this require opening up walls later?
• Is it tied to plumbing, electrical, or HVAC work that’s much easier to do now?
• Will waiting create extra labor costs or damage finished surfaces?
• Is this something I’ll realistically do in the next year—or is it likely to stay on the wish list?
• Would I have more options if I waited until after closing?
• Is this a cosmetic upgrade that can easily be changed later, or is it part of the home’s infrastructure?

Asking those questions can help you decide which projects are easier to tackle while the walls are still open—and which ones can comfortably wait.

In the final post of this series, I’ll break down some of the most common builder upgrades and share which ones are usually worth doing during construction, which ones I think can wait, and how to decide where your money is best spent.

8. Think About Everyday Convenience, Not Just the Big Features.

Some of the biggest frustrations after moving in aren’t expensive to fix. They’re simply little inconveniences you notice over and over again.

For instance, how genius is the cutout in this laundry room wall so that you can push the dryer all the way back?

Think about everyday routines like:

• Where will everyone naturally charge phones, tablets, and laptops?
• Is there a good place for a robot vacuum to dock without being in the way?
• Where will pet bowls live so they’re convenient but not underfoot?
• Is there a logical place for recycling bins?
• If you eventually add a beverage refrigerator or ice maker, where would it make the most sense?
• Where will your Wi-Fi router and internet equipment live without becoming an eyesore?
• Is there a convenient place to charge cordless cleaning tools?

9. Don’t Overlook Your Outdoor Living Spaces.

Outdoor spaces often become an afterthought during construction, but many homeowners end up wishing they’d planned them as carefully as the rooms inside. If you enjoy grilling, watching football outside, or relaxing on the patio with your morning coffee, your outdoor spaces deserve just as much planning as your kitchen or living room.

A few thoughtful decisions during construction can make your outdoor areas much more enjoyable for years to come.

Before the plans are finalized, think about things like:

• Will the patio have enough room for the furniture you already own?
• Do you want a television outside someday?
• Is there enough lighting for evening entertaining?
• Are there enough electrical outlets for fans, speakers, or holiday lights?
• Would a gas line for a grill save hauling propane tanks?
• Is there a convenient water source for plants or cleaning the patio?
• Will afternoon sun make the space uncomfortable without a fan or shade?
• Will conversations still be comfortable if the air-conditioning unit is running nearby?
• Where will you store outdoor cushions and entertaining supplies?

10. Plan for the Seasons, Not Just Move-In Day.

Most of the time it will just be your immediate family living in the house with your regular stuff. It’s much harder to picture your Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas morning, the Super Bowl party, or a weekend when the whole family comes to stay. Maybe it’s because I decorate for every season, but I know how much those holidays change the way we use our homes.

Thinking through those occasions ahead of time can help you make decisions you’ll appreciate year after year.

Picture some of the moments your home will host and ask yourself:

• Where will you set up food and drinks when you’re entertaining?
• Is there enough serving and pantry storage for entertaining?
• Where will the Christmas tree go?
• Will there be enough seating for holiday meals?
• Is there a convenient place to store seasonal decor?
• Where will guests leave coats and shoes?
• Do you have enough guest parking and outdoor lighting?
• Will holiday decorations have convenient electrical outlets?

11. Make Decisions Your Future Self Will Appreciate.

Some of the biggest regrets don’t show up during the first year—they show up five or ten years later. If you plan to stay in your home for a while, try to picture how your life might look in the future.

Maybe you’ll start working from home. Maybe grandchildren will spend weekends with you. A guest room might become a home office—or vice versa.

Ask yourself questions like:

• Will anyone in the family work from home in the future?
• Could a flex room eventually become a guest room, office, or hobby space?
• If grandchildren visit, where will they sleep and play?
• Will aging parents or other family members ever stay for extended visits?
• Is there enough storage if your family grows—or if your hobbies do?
• Would a first-floor guest room be useful as your needs change?
• Are there features that will make the home easier to enjoy for years to come?

None of us knows exactly what the future holds, but a little flexibility today can help your home work well for years to come.

12. Think About Noise and Privacy.

Noise is one of those things that’s easy to overlook while you’re building because an empty house is well, empty with no one actually living there. After you move in though, it’s amazing how quickly you notice sounds traveling from one room to another.

Maybe someone is trying to sleep while another person watches television. Maybe you’re working from home while the kids are playing upstairs. Or maybe the laundry room shares a wall with the primary bedroom. Those aren’t things most people think about during the design process, but they can have a surprising impact on how comfortable your home feels every day.

As you’re looking at your floor plan, think about questions like:

• Does the primary bedroom share a wall with the family room or media room?
• Is a home office next to a playroom or television room?
• Will guests be sleeping above the kitchen or living room?
• Could the laundry room create noise near bedrooms?
• Are bathrooms positioned where plumbing noise could become noticeable?
• Would solid-core doors make sense for a home office, media room, or primary bedroom?
• If you have a second story, would carpet help soften noise in the rooms below?
• Will anyone routinely be sleeping while someone else is awake in another part of the house?

13. Plan for Maintenance, Not Just Move-In Day.

Some of the biggest homeowner headaches aren’t things you notice when you move in. They’re the little maintenance tasks you repeat year after year.

A new house is more than beautiful finishes and a great floor plan. Eventually, just like an old house, you’ll need to change air filters, replace light bulbs, touch up paint, clean windows, and have equipment serviced. Thinking about those everyday maintenance jobs while you’re building can save a lot of time later.

As you’re reviewing the plans, think about things like:

• Can you easily reach HVAC filters?
• Where will you store leftover paint and extra flooring?
• Can you safely change light bulbs in vaulted or two-story ceilings?
• Are water shutoff valves easy to access in an emergency?
• Will you be able to clean tall windows?
• Is there enough space around mechanical equipment for routine service?
• Are hose bibs located where you can reach every side of the house?
• Will exterior light fixtures be easy to reach when bulbs need replacing?

A home that’s easy to maintain usually stays enjoyable to live in for a lot longer.

14. Spend Where Function Matters Most.

Some homeowners later realize they spent too much of their budget on features they noticed the first day and not enough on the ones they use every day. Beautiful finishes are what make you fall in love with a house. Functional decisions are what make you love living there.

If you have to make trade-offs, try to protect the decisions that will affect your daily life long after the excitement of move-in has worn off. People rarely regret having a home that’s easy to live in.

Before removing something from your wish list, ask yourself:

• Will I notice this every day?
• Is it expensive to change later?
• Does it improve the way we use the house?
• Am I choosing this because it’s trendy or because it’s genuinely useful?
• Would I still make the same decision five years from now?

15. Walk Through the House Throughout Construction.

One of the easiest ways to avoid expensive or frustrating surprises is to walk through your home regularly while it’s being built.

It’s amazing how different things look once they’re framed, wired, drywalled, and finally finished. Every stage gives you another opportunity to ask questions, notice something that doesn’t look quite right, or confirm that everything is coming together the way you expected.

My friend visited her house often during construction, and seeing the progress in person gave her a chance to catch details, mistakes, and ask questions while changes were still relatively easy to make. Once drywall is up or cabinets are installed, even small changes can become much more complicated.

As you walk through the house during construction, pay attention to things like:

• Does the furniture layout still make sense now that the rooms have walls?
• Are outlets, switches, and lighting located where you expected?
• Do windows and doors open the direction you anticipated?
• Are plumbing fixtures, cabinets, and built-ins being installed according to the plans?
• Does anything look different from what you selected?
• Are there any questions you should ask before the next phase of construction begins?

Before closing, take one final careful walk-through and check things like:

• Do doors and windows open, close, and lock properly?
• Do all outlets, switches, and light fixtures work?
• Are cabinets, countertops, flooring, and trim free of damage?
• Do faucets, showers, and toilets operate correctly?
• Is paint complete and are touch-ups finished?
• Have all punch-list items been addressed before you take possession?

No home is completely perfect on closing day, but regular walk-throughs throughout the building process can help you catch small issues before they become much bigger and much more expensive to fix.

Building a home can feel like one long series of decisions, and there will probably be a few you’d change if you had the chance to do it over. That’s true for almost everyone.

The good news is that many of the regrets homeowners talk about most are also some of the easiest to avoid if you think about them before construction is finished.

At the end of the day, the prettiest home isn’t always the one you’ll enjoy living in the most. The little practical decisions you make now are often the ones you’ll appreciate long after the shiny new house phase has passed.

Before you go:

As always, I appreciate your visit, comments, and shares here on the blog! I’d love it if you also follow along with me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube so you won’t miss any of my inspiration and ideas.

Don’t forget to sign up for updates to keep in touch.

If you’re not already a member of the SH&H family, I’d love to have you join me! You’ll not only get email updates, but you’ll have exclusive access to all the bonus materials in my free subscriber-only library, like this:

Pin it to remember it!

If you’ve enjoyed this post, please pin and share this on Pinterest: