7 Home Renos That Will Lower Your Home’s Value in 2026, Real Estate Pros Say

Tackling a home renovation project can take a lot time, effort, and significant investment, which is why, no matter whether you are handling the reno on your own or hiring a contractor to complete the job, it’s important to choose your renovations wisely.

We spoke to experts to find out which home renos will actually lower your home’s value in 2026 and here are the seven project they recommend skipping.

Removing Storage Space

Any time you remove storage space from the existing home will naturally reduce the overall value of the property. This can include removing closets, converting garages, or even just getting rid of existing storage sheds.

“Storage is a huge selling point so if you can add storage rooms or built-ins that will increase the value of your home,” explains Kevin McLister, Lead Project Manager and Production Manager for BOLT Builders.

If you’re looking for a worthwhile renovation project to add to the value of the home, consider putting in a new closet where there is currently unused space or installing a shed for the yard.

Want more home reno project tips and inspiration? Sign up for our free daily newsletter for the latest how-tos, reno guides, and more!

Converting Full Bathrooms to Half Baths

Bathrooms are one of the most common features for a home buyer to focus on when they are looking for a new house, which is why it’s a bad idea to remove bathrooms or convert full baths to half baths.

“Some renovations are well intended, but can be a disservice to the home in the long run,” McLister says. ‘We’ve had clients who wanted to remove a powder room or take out a shower which can lead to fewer bathrooms.”

Instead, add an additional bathroom to your home, if possible. If you don’t have the space for this type of renovation, then consider simply upgrading the existing bathrooms with new toilets, vanities, sinks, and a shower, a bath, or a combination of both.

Eliminating Bedrooms to Make Oversized Closets

Another features that home buyers tend to focus on is the size and number of bedrooms.

Jo Rich, Architect, Principal Designer of J Rich Designs, and Designer at Raydoor Sliding Walls & Doors, says that some “projects that commonly hurt value include removing bedrooms to make oversized closets and cheap DIY finishes (uneven tile, misaligned trim). These changes either reduce the home’s utility or signal future repair costs to buyers.”

It’s best to leave bedrooms where they are, though you can add to the value of the home by building an additional bedroom in an otherwise unused basement space. Depending on the layout of the home, this could also increase the appeal as a rental property, if you put in a basement bathroom and kitchen to create a separate living space.

Overly Themed or Novelty Rooms

It’s natural to want to fill your home with things you love, but when you are selling a property, overly personalized rooms can actually detract from the value of the home.

“Buyers pay for broad appeal and function, not highly specific tastes or visible DIY shortcuts,” Rich says.

Skip the personal specifics during a renovation and focus on neutral and high impact upgrades, like refreshing the paint, improving the lighting, and replacing dated fixtures with more timeless options.

High Maintenance Landscaping

Some outdoor projects can look great and add to the value of the home, but if you are putting in features that most people would consider high maintenance, like a large flower garden or detailed hedges, home buyers will simply see it as more work.

“High maintenance landscaping and narrowly targeted features, like gimmicky pools, can also be risky projects,” Rich says. “These choices raise upkeep or shrink desirable outdoor living space.”

A better option for the outdoors is to focus on improvements that require less upkeep and have a definable function for buyers, such as installing a fence around the yard for privacy and security.

Niche Upgrades

Certain upgrades have a very niche appeal, which depending on the neighborhood, can lower the value of your property, such as putting in a hot tub or building a deck that takes up most of the yard.

“Renovations can lower homes value when it becomes overly personal or adds ongoing maintenance costs for personal desires that turn off buyers,” Rich says.

Rather than opting for these niche upgrades, invest in energy efficient systems, like upgrading old doors and windows, investing in new appliances, replacing the HVAC system, or even updating the roof and insulation.

Poor Done or Poorly Planned Renovations

No matter what renovation project you choose to tackle, the outcome needs to be of a high quality if you want to increase the value of the home.

“Even if a renovation looks good on the surface, sloppy workmanship, uneven floors, crooked walls, or poorly installed windows and doors) will lower the value of your home,” McLister says.

It’s better for most DIYers to focus on cosmetic upgrades that you can do well yourself, like painting or swapping the hardware on your cabinets, cupboards, drawers, and doors. This simple change will increase the value without forcing you to learn a specialized skill.