Home upgrades that are a waste of money

Motion sensor lights

Motion sensor lights makes sense for safety reasons outside, but adding them inside is just a waste. Not all homeowners want them inside their homes either, so it's a hard sell.

DIY project fails

Sometimes it's best to just pay a professional to do house projects. Buyers will notice small details and the craftsmanship, so doing it yourself may end up costing you money in the sale.

Murals and wallpaper

Murals and wallpaper can seem like a cheap home upgrade, but it's not the best investment if you plan to sell your space in the future. Removing wallpaper or painting can be expensive, and potential buyers may not want to invest in that.

Design and fixtures

Your home will lose value if you mix a bunch of different designs. Having a farmhouse kitchen and a modern living room will make your home feel inconsistent, so stick to designs and fixtures that work together.

Specialty built-ins

Unique items, like a built-in aquarium, may bring your personal joy, but as it requires a lot of maintenance, it can become a hindrance when selling the space.

Knocking down valuable walls

Knocking down walls isn't always a smart move, especially if you're removing a valuable room from your home.

Building an entertainment room

Converting your basement into a home cinema, bar, or a bowling alley might be a great idea when it comes to your entertainment, but having these large, built-in fixtures won't appeal to everyone.

Sacrificing bedroom space for an en suite

By sacrificing bedroom space for a walk-in closet or an en suite bathroom, you're inadvertently knocking money off the value of your home. This is because buyers typically prefer a bigger sleeping space over an extra bathroom.

Choosing designer tiles

You don't need to spend a fortune on bathroom tiles. There are many great affordable alternatives that can create the luxurious finish you want.

Extending without permission

If you have a house, extending it could add great value. But if you do it without permission, it could prove to be very costly. Make sure you go through the correct process to gain permission.

Fire place mantles

Renovating fire place mantles is a common DIY upgrade that won't add any value to your home. On top of that, cracks in the fire place can put off buyers.

Improving too much

The neighborhood you live in is a huge factor when it comes to the value of your home. So if you improve your home too much, it won't necessarily make sense given the price of the neighborhood.

Investing too much in tech

Fun upgrades like turning on your appliances and lights with your phone won't actually add value to your home. And it may even turn away buyers who prefer traditional methods.

Overspending on a luxury kitchen

It can be tempting to splurge on a high-end designer kitchen when it comes to upgrading it. But before you do a complete makeover, consider if you can give it a new look by replacing some fixtures or painting the cabinets.

Over-the-top fencing

You won't get a big return on your investment if you go for over the top fences. Concrete posts, elaborate finials, and decorative caps are nice to look at, but stick with the basics, like black steel or white picket.