Laminate flooring, marble benchtops, and poorly executed open-plan layouts are among the renovation choices that could be costing Australian homeowners tens of thousands at resale, according to new research.
A study by homewares retailer Cooper & Co., based on sentiment analysis of Reddit discussions about renovation regrets, found 34.8 per cent of complaints related to high-maintenance finishes, 24.6 per cent to functionality issues, and 16.3 per cent to designs that dated quickly.
Property strategist and buyer’s agent Rasti Vaibhav, who partnered with Cooper & Co. on the research, estimates some trend-driven upgrades could reduce a home’s perceived value by up to $36,000 on a $1 million property.
“In today’s market, buyers are calculating risk at inspection,” Mr Vaibhav said.
“If something looks high maintenance, dates quickly, or feels expensive to fix, they’re not just noticing it – they’re pricing it in.”
Poor-quality laminate flooring topped the list of costly mistakes, with Vaibhav estimating it could reduce perceived value by two to four per cent.
“Flooring has one of the largest visual surface areas in a property and can set the tone at inspection,” he said.
“Laminate can visually signal ‘cost-cutting’ renovation. If it sounds hollow, shows edge swelling, or scratches easily, buyers immediately anticipate future replacement costs.”
Marble benchtops, while expected in prestige properties, can narrow buyer appeal in mid-range homes, potentially affecting value by one to three per cent.
Mr Vaibhav said the material’s porosity and susceptibility to staining made it impractical for family kitchens.
Open-plan layouts, once a selling point, are also being reassessed.
Mr Vaibhav said poorly executed versions lacking acoustic separation could reduce value by one to three per cent in family-oriented suburbs.
“Many buyers now want flexibility – rooms they can close off for work, study, or to control noise levels,” he said.
“If the layout limits that flexibility, demand narrows.”
He recommended a “broken plan” approach using partial walls, archways, or sliding doors to create defined zones without sacrificing natural light.
Dark finishes and black surfaces presented another risk, with water marks, fingerprints, and dust visibility amplifying perceptions of high maintenance.
Trend-specific tiles with intricate detailing or heavy grout lines could also date quickly and narrow the buyer pool.
Katherine Stanley, Head of Homewares at Cooper & Co., said even simple cosmetic decisions could influence sale outcomes.
“It’s easy to get swept up in a design trend that looks great from a styling perspective, but what feels fresh today can feel tired surprisingly fast,” Ms Stanley said.
“Taking a more considered and intentional approach helps ensure a home feels current for longer while also protecting its long-term value.”
Mr Vaibhav’s advice for homeowners was to “design in layers” – keeping permanent features like flooring, benchtops, and layout broadly appealing, while adding personality through elements that are easier and cheaper to change.
