8 Features That Sound Nice but Really Don’t Age Well
Some home features look great in the moment, especially when you’re house hunting or daydreaming about upgrades. But once the shine wears off, you’re left dealing with things that don’t hold up to daily life, trends, or maintenance.
Before you get swept up in something that seems like a good idea, here are a few features that tend to age poorly—functionally, financially, or both.
Glass Vessel Sinks
These sinks look cool in a showroom, but they’re a pain once you’re living with them. The bowl sits high on the counter, which can make it uncomfortable to use—especially for kids. And because they’re made of glass, they show every water spot, toothpaste splatter, and fingerprint.
They’re also prone to chipping and cracking over time. It might feel fancy at first, but after a few months of cleaning it constantly, most people regret the upgrade.
Open Shelving in Kitchens
Open shelves can look great in photos, but real-life kitchens get messy fast. Dust, grease, and crumbs love to settle on every exposed surface—and unless you’re styling it like a magazine, it starts to look cluttered.
They’re also not practical for everyday dishes. If you’re not up for wiping them down constantly and keeping everything perfectly arranged, you’re better off with traditional cabinets that hide the mess.
High-Maintenance Countertops
Materials like marble might sound luxurious, but they scratch, stain, and etch incredibly fast. Red wine, lemon juice, or even water rings can leave marks that are hard to fix without professional help.
Unless you’re committed to sealing them regularly and being extra cautious with every spill, high-maintenance counters tend to age poorly in busy homes. There are better-looking, lower-maintenance options that hold up longer.
Dark-Stained Floors
They look sleek when they’re clean, but dark floors are a magnet for dust, dirt, pet hair, and scratches. Every little mark shows, which means you’ll either be sweeping constantly or living with floors that always look dirty.
They also tend to show more wear in high-traffic areas. If you’ve got kids, pets, or lots of guests, lighter or medium-tone floors will age better and hide daily wear more easily.
Whirlpool Tubs
A big jetted tub used to feel like the ultimate luxury, but most of them end up collecting dust. They take forever to fill, use a ton of water, and aren’t as comfortable as they look. On top of that, the jets can build up grime and bacteria if they’re not cleaned regularly.
Most people stop using them altogether, which makes it wasted space and plumbing. A deep soaking tub or a better shower setup often gets more use and lasts longer.
Cheap Laminate Cabinets
They might look fine for a few years, but low-end laminate cabinets tend to peel, chip, or bubble—especially in humid kitchens or bathrooms. Once that starts, it’s hard to repair without replacing the whole door.
They also don’t hold up well to heavy daily use. If you’re remodeling or buying a home with them already installed, it’s something that will probably need replacing sooner than later.
Trendy Backsplashes
Bold tile patterns and bright colors can date a kitchen quickly. What looks fun and fresh now might look tired in a few years—especially if the style is all over social media or home design shows.
Replacing a backsplash isn’t a huge job, but it’s still work. If you don’t want to update your kitchen every few years, it’s better to go with something timeless that won’t age itself out of style.
Floating Bathroom Vanities
These look modern and sleek, but they often sacrifice storage and can feel wobbly over time if not installed correctly. If moisture gets underneath, you can run into mold or warping issues, especially with cheaper materials.
They also don’t offer the same kind of support for heavy use. In a high-traffic bathroom, they’re more likely to show wear and tear—and you might end up replacing them sooner than you’d like.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
