12 Home Improvement Projects That Don't Add Value

One of the best parts of homeownership is the freedom to customize your space. However, not all renovations are created equal. If you’re planning to sell soon, it’s vital to distinguish between a passion project and a profitable investment.

Zillow research into the features that help homes sell for more — or less — than expected shows that buyer preferences change over time. A trendy home update made today for the sole purpose of adding value can seem dated — or even detract from the value — in five or 10 years. 

Before you swing the sledgehammer, consider these 12 projects that might cost you more than they're worth when you sell.

1. Erasing any personality

A big rule in home selling is to strip away all personality and create a blank slate so buyers can better picture themselves living there. But that strategy might actually cost you.

• Why it hurts value: Standard neutrality can make a home feel forgettable. Zillow data shows that homes lacking custom features and bespoke finishes potentially leave a 3% price boost on the table — that’s $10,800 for a $360,000 home.
• Better choice: Instead of de-personalizing until your home looks like a hotel room, lean into high-quality, functional customization. Buyers are looking for a home that reflects a lifestyle, not just a floor plan.

2. Turning your kitchen into a white wonderland

While all-white kitchens were once the norm, Zillow’s latest paint color analysis shows buyer taste has moved toward richer, nature-inspired tones like deep greens and blues.

• Why it hurts value: White in this room can feel stark, clinical, and dated to modern buyers. There are other color options that some buyers will pay more for, so going with a white kitchen could cause you to miss out on more than $1,300 when you sell. 
• Better choice: Opt for dark gray tones like charcoal or dark plum, which could add $1,373 or $867 to your sale price, respectively. These colors feel intentional, modern, and high-end.

If you don’t care about trends at the time of resale, or if you plan to repaint prior to selling, you might consider how you want to feel in any given room and paint accordingly.

3. Adding high-end marble flooring

Marble floors have long been a symbol of luxury, but its fragility is a major turn-off for buyers. Zillow’s research finds that homes with marble floors see a decrease in sale price (nearly 2%). 

• Why it hurts value: Marble is notoriously high-maintenance. It’s porous, prone to staining, and can be easily scratched or etched. Buyers may view marble floors as too delicate for daily life, or simply too much work to keep pristine.
• Better choice: Consider using travertine (1.2% price boost). Both offer a natural stone look with a better market performance.

If you want your home to go viral, terracotta tile may be a good fit for you. Homes with terracotta tile get 5% more daily views on Zillow.

4. Adding a walk-in closet (by sacrificing a bedroom)

It’s tempting to turn a cramped spare room into a dream wardrobe, but the math rarely works out in your favor.

• Why it hurts value: Real estate value is heavily tied to bedroom count. Converting a bedroom into a closet removes your home from the search results of buyers looking for that extra room. Plus, Zillow data shows homes with walk-in closets sell for 0.5% less.
• Better choice: Use clever organization systems or wardrobe built-ins within existing rooms to maximize storage.

The bottom line: a bedroom is going to be more valuable to most buyers than a walk-in closet.

5. Turning your garage into a bedroom

While bedrooms are certainly important, in areas where there’s only street or paid parking, a garage is often more valuable than an extra interior room.

• Why it hurts value: A garage can add a 0.9% sales premium, according to Zillow’s research. Losing that secure parking and storage space can make your home less competitive.
• Better choice: If you need more space, consider an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), also known as a casita or mother-in-law suite. Plus, buyers love the potential for rental income or some private guest quarters.

If you’re trying to gauge whether a garage is a must-have for most buyers in your local market, consult a local real estate agent.

6. Converting a bedroom into a home office

Remote and hybrid work turned the dedicated home office into a hot commodity, and it's tempting to hand a spare bedroom over to it for good. But a built-out office you can't easily use as a bedroom can quietly work against you at resale.

• Why it hurts value: Like walk-in closets and garage conversions, a home office reduces a home’s bedroom count. Zillow’s data found that houses with a home office are associated with a lower-than-expected sale price (1.18% less).
• Better choice: Keep the room flexible. Stage it as an office with a desk and built-ins, but make sure a buyer can still read it as a bedroom, with the closet intact and nothing blocking a wall where a bed could go.

7. Installing an in-ground swimming pool

This one is a mixed bag. Unless you live in a luxury market where every neighbor has a pool, this "upgrade" can be a significant financial gamble.

• Why it hurts value: Home improvement site Thumbtack says installing a pool costs up to $67,000 and fencing is another $6,000. Between that and annual maintenance, you rarely recoup the cost. Many buyers see a pool as a safety hazard or a never-ending chore.
• Better choice: If you must have a pool, go with saltwater. Zillow research shows they can add about 2% to a home’s sale price compared to chlorine pools.

Whether a pool will be an asset or a liability depends on a number of things, like the pool’s size, age, condition, location on the property, and the housing market.

8. Building a dedicated media room

A blacked-out room with tiered seating and a projector sounds like a dream for movie night, but as a permanent, single-purpose build, it's one of the weaker features in a house, price-wise.

• Why it hurts value: Zillow data shows listings that mention a media room get far fewer daily views, saves, and shares. Buyers might look at a windowless, single-use room and see wasted square footage they'll have to repurpose.
• Better choice: If it's great sound you're after, invest in the audio rather than the room. Zillow research found a built-in sound system is one of the rare entertainment features associated with a higher sale price (1.7% higher), and it draws more shares and saves on Zillow.

9. DIY — done badly

We love DIY, and there are plenty of projects you can do yourself to improve your surroundings and save money upfront, but it often costs you double in the long run.

• Why it hurts value: Visible DIY mistakes — like uneven tiling or poorly laid floors — could mean hidden problems to buyers. They may try to deduct the cost of a professional redo from their offer.
• Better choice: Know your limits. If you don't have the skill, hire a pro for finishing work (tiling, cabinetry, flooring) where the visual quality is paramount.

If you really want to add something new yourself, and you want to see what you can pull off, make sure you have the skill to tackle it.

10. Installing laminate countertops

In an era where quartz and granite are the standard, laminate can make a kitchen feel dated to prospective buyers.

• Why it hurts value: Homes mentioning laminate sold for 2.5% less than comparable homes, according to Zillow research. On a $360,000 home, that’s a $9,000 loss.
• Better choice: Invest in quartz or granite quartzite for a boost in sale price. Even a modest stone countertop provides a much higher perceived value than the best laminate.

11. Buying high-end fixtures

That $3,000 designer faucet might look like a piece of art, but it probably won't move the needle on your home's valuation.

• Why it hurts value: Appraisers and buyers rarely distinguish between a $300 high-quality fixture and a $3,000 boutique one. You won't recoup the premium on paper.
• Better choice: Consider well-made, trending finishes (like polished nickel or brass) from reliable brands. You’ll get a nice look for a fraction of the price.

12. Installing a metal roof

While they last a very long time, the high upfront cost for a metal roof may not come back to you when you sell your home.

• Why it hurts value: A metal roof costs around $26,000 for installation, materials and labor depending on its size, according to Thumbtack. Zillow data shows homes with a metal roof mentioned in the listing are associated with a 0.4% less than expected sale price.
• Better choice: If your roof is in good shape, focus on smaller exterior refreshes like new landscaping or a power wash. If you need an entire replacement, Thumbtack says asphalt shingle is one of the cheapest options, averaging $8,000.

The bottom line: Maintenance wins

While flashy upgrades are fun, basic maintenance is the real hero of home value. Zillow data shows turnkey homes sell for 2.9% more than expected. Investing in basic maintenance and keeping your home in move-in ready condition is another way to boost your bottom line.

Some things to keep an eye on:

• Cleaning gutters
• Resealing grout in the kitchen and bath
• Having heating and air conditioning systems serviced regularly

To stay on track with home maintenance, download Zillow’s Home Maintenance Checklist.