10 “Upgrades” That Will Actually Make Life More Miserable

Some upgrades sound great in theory. They look pretty in staged photos or get pushed by someone trying to upsell you. But once you live with them, reality kicks in—and it’s usually more cleaning, more maintenance, more stress, or all three.

Before you pour money into changes that overpromise and underdeliver, here are ten common “improvements” that can end up making life harder, not better.

White Upholstery in a Real-Life House

White couches or dining chairs might look clean and bright at first. But in a house with kids, pets, or anyone who eats snacks outside the kitchen, they’ll drive you crazy fast.

Every little spill, smudge, or muddy paw print shows up immediately. You’ll end up policing the furniture like a hawk or giving up and living with stains. Either way, it’s not relaxing.

Open Shelving in the Kitchen

Open shelving looks great when it’s perfectly styled and spotless. But day-to-day? It’s a dust magnet. Everything needs to be neat, coordinated, and wiped down constantly.

If your kitchen is actually used, you’ll spend more time trying to make your plates look like décor than cooking dinner. Cabinets with doors are way less stressful—you can close the chaos and move on with your day.

High-Maintenance Countertops

Marble might seem like a luxe choice, but it stains easily and scratches even faster. And once the damage is done, it’s expensive to fix.

There are plenty of good-looking alternatives that don’t require babying. If you cook a lot or have a busy household, you’ll be much happier with something that handles wear without fuss.

Rainfall Showerheads

Rain showerheads seem fancy, but a lot of them don’t have enough water pressure to actually rinse soap or shampoo out well. You end up spending longer in the shower, feeling underwhelmed the whole time.

They can also be tricky to install and more prone to clogging. If you’re after a good shower, focus on pressure—not aesthetics.

Fancy Smart Fridges

Smart fridges often come with screens, cameras, or apps that sound cool but rarely get used the way they’re intended. When something breaks (and it will), repairs are more complicated and expensive.

A solid, basic fridge with good storage and reliable temperature control is way more practical. You don’t need Wi-Fi to keep your milk cold.

Oversized Kitchen Islands

A huge kitchen island might be a selling point, but it can make your kitchen harder to navigate. In smaller layouts, it cuts off flow and limits cabinet space that could’ve been used better.

You’ll also end up with more surface to clean and more clutter to wrangle. A right-sized island or even a movable butcher block can do more without getting in the way.

Built-In Jacuzzi Tubs

They take up a ton of space and rarely get used. Meanwhile, they collect dust and require extra cleaning even when they’re dry.

When they are used, they use a lot of water and energy. And if you’re not careful with cleaning, mold and gunk build up fast in the jets. Most folks would rather have a walk-in shower.

Touchscreen Light Switches

These might look sleek, but they’re often more frustrating than helpful. They can be hard to use in the dark, slow to respond, and impossible for guests (or kids) to figure out.

When one stops working, it’s not as easy as swapping a regular switch—you’ll be dealing with settings, sensors, or replacement parts. Sometimes simple really is smarter.

Wall-to-Wall Carpet in High-Traffic Areas

Carpet feels cozy, but in hallways or entryways, it wears down fast and traps dirt, smells, and moisture. Once it’s stained, it’s hard to clean—and eventually has to be replaced.

You’ll save yourself time and stress by putting hard flooring in the busiest spots and using rugs where you want the comfort. That way, you can clean or swap them out as needed.

Glass Cabinet Doors

Glass-front cabinets look fancy, but they put all your stuff on display—whether you want it to be or not. Every plate, cup, and cereal box suddenly becomes part of your kitchen décor.

You’ll end up feeling like everything has to match or stay perfectly neat. If your kitchen serves your family more than your Instagram, solid cabinet doors are way less of a headache.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.