5 Things I Regret about our New Build
Sharing the top 5 regrets we have about our custom new build home! Here are the things we'd do differently.
After nearly six years in our home, we have had plenty of time to reflect on what works—and what we'd change. While there are many things we love, there are also design choices that, in hindsight, we'd approach differently. From functionality to aesthetics, here are the top things we'd do differently in our next home.
Quick back story: We designed and built our home in 2018, moving in just weeks before our daughter was born.
Building a home was never part of our plan, and only happened after a house fire destroyed the original home we were renovating.
While we were incredibly grateful for the opportunity to design and build a new home, our budget was limited to our insurance payout and savings put aside for the previous renovation. As first-time builders, we did the best we could within those constraints.
With that said, here are the top 5 regrets we have:
Not enough kitchen storage
When we designed our kitchen in 2018, it was just the two of us, and our storage needs were pretty minimal. Our kitchen footprint was on the smaller side but I wanted a light and minimalist feel with open shelving.
For the first several years, it worked genuinely well for us. We added smart organization features and maximized every inch of our cabinet space.
Now with two kids, our pantry is overflowing and we wish we had more space for small appliances. Building extra pantry storage in the adjacent laundry room has helped, but a few more cabinets would make a big difference (and no, the space is not quite large enough for an island!)
Too many ceiling lights
This one is pretty minor, but it is a common decision that has to be made whether you are building or renovating a home.
In my opinion, most builders and architects tend to overdo it on the lighting, particularly in kitchen, dining, and living spaces. We have ceiling lights on four separate circuits just in our small kitchen/dining/hallway area and it is completely overkill.
I avoid using the “big lights” whenever possible. Sconces, lamps, and chandeliers create a much cozier ambiance compared to the harsh, institutional feel of overhead lighting (yes, I have strong feelings about this topic). I talked more about the impact of bulbs and color temperature in our evening home tour post—the right lighting is a game changer and worth paying attention to!
No curbless shower
Fun fact: you have to make this decision early on, before your foundation is even poured. Our builder did not ask us and by the time I brought it up, it was too late.
Curbless showers are certainly more of a “nice to have” rather than a necessity, but in our case, the tile has made it that much worse. Rather than using a threshold, we tiled the top, and it has been a pain to keep clean between the hard water stains, grout lines, and exposed rough cut edges.
Apart from the extra maintenance, curbless showers just look cleaner and more streamlined—would you agree?
No front porch
I cannot decide if this is truly a regret or just something I would do differently next time, because I adore our turret. When designing our house, Lucas and I both had our heart set on this specific look and nothing could change our mind.
While it is unique and charming, it has come with its challenges. Our solid mahogany door is exposed to direct sunlight and unforgiving weather all year long, and it has warped and cracked, allowing bugs and rain inside. We have had it professionally refinished, but the only fix is a new door.
The kids also love playing out front, and it would be so nice to have a covered area for all of us to hang out in.
It is not genuinely possible to add a front porch with the current design of our home, but its something we'd love to have in the next house.
No balcony
This is my #1 regret and honestly the main reason this cannot be our forever home. One of my greatest pleasures in life is watching sunsets and thunderstorms while breathing in the tropical Florida air (that is mostly why we moved here!) but we currently have no place to do that.
Our house sits under a massive oak tree, and we do not have any western facing windows with a clear view of the sky. I dream about the day when I can curl up with my family on our balcony while watching lighting in the distance, hearing the rumbles of thunder and feeling the warm wind on our skin.
I know this is not most people's fantasy and not everyone wants a balcony, but for me, it is everything 😉
Honorable mention: no covered outdoor area, period. We have tossed around the idea of adding a pergola to the back of our house, but it would reduce the limited natural light we get in the kitchen, and it would not be fully weather proof. I would love a proper covered seating area in the next house!
And there are our top five regrets/changes/wishes for the next house. Can you relate to any of these? If you built your home, do you have any regrets?
Next week, I'll be sharing the things that were 100% worth the cost when we built our home—stay tuned for more!
