HomeLearn From My Mistakes: Reno Regrets from a First-Time Homeowner
littlecupabode
Cosy Japandi-inspired home with a touch of Mid-century Modern!
Learn From My Mistakes: Reno Regrets from a First-Time Homeowner
563
- Japandi
- HDB (Resale)
- ~700 sqft
- 2 br
- Solo Living
As a first-time homeowner, I did my best to research and learn from others’ renovation mistakes. But some things still slipped through the cracks — whether due to budget constraints or decisions I thought I could live with at the time. Looking back, I realise that if I had spent just a little more, I could’ve avoided a few lasting regrets. Here are some of mine — shared in the hope that you won’t make the same mistakes I did! 
Track Lights If I had gone with track lighting, my dining space would’ve been so much more flexible — especially when it comes to switching up table sizes or layouts. Right now, my dining table feels trapped in the middle of the space. I’m already considering a long rectangular table, but the fixed ceiling light has me locked into its current position. I’d definitely switch to track lights in the future — it gives you the freedom to evolve your space without being held hostage by one light point! 
Devil is in the (Misaligned) Details I did speak up when I noticed this — but by then, the walls and sliding door were already up, and it felt too late to change anything. Could I have insisted on redoing it? Probably. But it would’ve come at the cost of my ID's and my carpenters’ sanity (and revenue). 😬 One of those tiny details that now lives rent-free in my mind every time I walk past it. 
Well-Planned Lighting for Open Shelving The top shelves in my kitchen ended up in the dark — literally. With no lighting installed above them, everything up there is now hidden in shadows. This one really slipped through the cracks. It was brought up during the reno process, but in the whirlwind of decisions, it just didn’t make the final cut. Lesson learned: If you’re planning for open shelving — especially in the kitchen — don’t overlook lighting. Whether it’s LED strips or down lights, a little bit of planning goes a long way in making your shelves both functional and beautiful. 
Carpentry Chaos Why, oh why did my carpenters do this?! It wasn’t something I thought to raise at the time — and now I’m kicking myself for overlooking it. Instead of properly sealing off the area, they built a board that only cuts out the chute opening, leaving awkward gaps all around it. Now there are dark little voids leading to who-knows-where… and I can’t help but imagine dust, pests, or creepy crawlies making themselves at home. 😩 If I had flagged it earlier or been more insistent about tearing it down and finding a better solution, maybe my OCD self wouldn’t be spiraling every time I see it. Lesson learned: always, always be a hard-ass about the details — especially when it comes to carpentry. 
Switchs & Sockets Position Woes Notice how the switches and sockets are awkwardly far from the bedside table and bed? This only became obvious once the bed was installed — and I realised I had to stretch way too far just to turn on my bedside lamp. 😤 Turns out, there was a miscommunication. My ID and electrician assumed I was going for a king-sized bed, but I definitely remember saying queen. On top of that, I would’ve preferred the sockets to be placed lower for a cleaner, more minimalist look — ideally hidden behind the bedside table. Oh well. Another lesson filed under “things you only notice too late. 
TV Box-Up Regret (or lack there of) This one’s totally on me. I only decided to install a TV at the very last minute — and by then, it was too late to plan for a cleaner setup. If I had made the decision earlier, I could’ve created a recessed niche to hide the mount and sockets neatly within the wall. Now, every time I walk through the door, I’m greeted by exposed mounts and dangling wires. Not exactly the welcome I had in mind. 😮💨 Lesson? Think ahead — even if you’re unsure. Future-you will thank you for it. 
Out with the old (doorframe), in with the new! It might look perfectly fine here… but there’s a mistake hiding in plain sight. 👀 Scroll down to the next photo and you’ll see what I mean — learn from my oversight so you don’t make the same one! 
I decided to save a few hundred dollars by not replacing the original front door frame — and it turned out to be one of my biggest eyesores in my home. In older HDB flats, uneven walls are a common issue. And because I kept the old frame, the wall next to my front door now looks warped and misaligned. Had I just spent a bit more to redo the frame, the finish would’ve looked so much cleaner. Lesson learned: Don’t let short-term savings cost you long-term satisfaction — especially for high-traffic areas like your front door! ~ That’s a wrap on my reno regrets! If you’ve been through something similar — or if you’ve got questions about your own reno plans — feel free to drop a comment below. I’d love to hear from you and help if I can! Until the next post — see you around! 👋
