7 Expensive Kitchen 'Upgrades' You'll Regret Later, According to Designers

A successful kitchen renovation requires carefully balancing aesthetics and practicality. However, while it's natural to want to splurge on a dramatic feature or a luxury upgrade, not every costly addition will serve you well. In fact, certain choices can quickly feel dated, create maintenance headaches, and disrupt the flow of an otherwise well-designed space.

So, to make sure your investment lasts, it's important first to weigh which design trends will stand the test of time. Here, we spoke with seasoned kitchen designers to understand the pricey “upgrades” that may look appealing now, but that will ultimately fail to deliver the return on investment that homeowners expect.

Trendy Tile Statements

Covering an entire kitchen in bold, patterned tile might look striking, but it’s often a costly mistake.

“Tile is durable, which makes mistakes permanent and costly to fix,” says Bruno Mendolini, vice president of sales at Tile Choices. Professionally installed tile can run $20 to $40 per square foot with labor, so a 150-square-foot backsplash or floor can easily exceed $6,000.

Instead, consider opting for neutral tile, or reserving patterns for smaller accents.

Overbuilt Custom Islands

Waterfall islands with built-in appliances may sound luxurious, but when they dominate the kitchen, they can disrupt workflow and overwhelm the space.

“It can also make the room feel cramped, especially in mid-sized homes where space is valuable,” says Mendolini. With costs ranging from $8,000 to $20,000, an oversized island can quickly become a liability, rather than a selling point.

The same goes for double islands: While dramatic, they often consume space better suited for a dining area or a more flexible layout. “They limit personalization for future buyers,” adds Thomas Borcherding, owner of Homestar Design Remodel.

In most cases, the payoff simply doesn’t justify the expense, leaving homeowners with an upgrade that feels more restrictive than rewarding.

High-Maintenance Countertops

Materials like marble, limestone, and soapstone are undeniably beautiful, but they don’t always belong in a hardworking kitchen. These materials stain, scratch, and etch easily; wine, citrus, or even a simple oil spill can leave lasting marks.

“In a busy kitchen, they can be a costly mistake,” says Mendolini. Even with regular sealing, the upkeep can feel endless. Marble countertops typically cost $70 to $120 per square foot, meaning a standard kitchen could easily run over $6,000 for surfaces.

So while they may impress at first glance, buyers often view delicate countertops as a liability rather than a luxury.

Commercial Appliances and Smart Tech

It’s easy to assume that splurging on commercial-grade appliances will add instant value, but in most homes, they end up feeling out of place.

A professional range can cost $8,000 to $12,000 before installation, but it will look mismatched and intimidating to many buyers. “These appliances require higher maintenance, specialty repairs, and sometimes even upgraded electrical or gas lines,” says Mendolini. 

The same caution applies to built-in smart tech. Touchscreen fridges, app-controlled faucets, and digital backsplashes may feel futuristic today, but they tend to age quickly, much like smartphones.

“Built-in systems often cost more to remove or replace when they stop being useful,” says Mendolini. With smart fridges starting around $3,500, the investment often fails to hold up, especially once systems lose support, or become difficult to update.

Open Shelving

A few open shelves can add charm and display space, but when they dominate the kitchen, they can create a headache. Dust, grease, and constant upkeep are real issues—especially in busy kitchens without strong ventilation.

“Excessive use of open shelving takes away valuable wall cabinet storage and thus hurts the functionality of the kitchen,” says Borcherding. Too much can make a kitchen feel cluttered and high-maintenance, which ultimately works against resale value.

And while shelves themselves may seem cost-effective, replacing open shelving with cabinetry can cost $2,000 to $5,000 (with wall refinishing or tile work to match).

Hanging Pot Racks

Hanging pot racks may seem like a clever storage solution, but in practice, they often make a kitchen feel cluttered and visually heavy.

“Most people don't own decorative pots that make hanging pot racks worth it,” adds Borcherding. “While a godsend in small kitchens, hanging pot racks are generally not advised in larger kitchens— unless decorative cookware is in use.”

Beyond appearance, pot racks require constant upkeep, since exposed pots and pans quickly collect dust and grease. So instead of adding value, they can make a kitchen feel cramped and more high-maintenance.

Colorful Cabinets

Cabinet color trends can feel exciting in the moment; however, they rarely age gracefully. Deep navy, hunter green, or matte black finishes may look luxurious today, but they'll soon feel dated as styles shift.

“Dark colors show fingerprints, chips, and dust relentlessly. Buyers may see them as a repainting project rather than a selling point,” says Mendolini. Repainting or refacing cabinets isn’t cheap either. Custom work typically runs between $4,000 and $10,000.

Instead, neutral, timeless options such as white, gray, or light wood finishes are far more likely to retain value and appeal.