These 5 Luxe Bathroom Upgrades Are Never Worth the Splurge, According to Pros

The bathroom is a unique space in a home. Since it’s its own set-off room, it’s often a great place to go bold and showcase your personality, whether through an eccentric wallpaper or playful accessories. Or, you can decide to make it your own personal oasis and go all out with stunning hardware, spacious storage, and the luxe finishes of your dreams.

But before you drop tons of money on this (typically) small space, take a beat and reassess what you really want versus what you just think you want. Why? According to contractors, there are tons of luxe bathroom features and finishes that clients actually end up regretting long term. Before you break the bank on upgrade after upgrade, check out these common bathroom feature regrets to ensure you don’t make the same mistake.

According to pros, freestanding tubs are among the most common requests from homeowners, who describe wanting to feel like they just stepped into the spa at a five-star hotel. However, reality can often feel very different. “While elegant, most freestanding tubs are rarely used, and they can be difficult to clean around,” says Elias Cordova, contractor at Capstone Design Partners and Block Renovation. 

My Reiderstad, an interior designer and CEO of real estate agency Reiderstad Invest, agrees. “A freestanding bathtub might look nice design-wise, but with open layout bathrooms, [they are] very impractical in the end, and [don’t allow for] a lot of privacy.”

Imagine how luxurious it would feel to bottle the feeling of unwinding at your favorite spa and bring it home. While the idea is good in theory, many aspects of spa facilities — including steam rooms — are better left out of your personal residence. CEO of Clever Tiny Homes, Jonathan Palley, says this was a feature he and his contractors offered for a while, but ultimately stopped crafting.

“Even though our construction methods meant that our bathrooms are well-sealed and moisture-resistant, people just weren’t interested,” he says. “The humidity factor was fine for construction, but not so much for people’s linens or hair.” This makes sense when you think about the continued use of steam over time on bathroom paint, wallpaper, or linens. 

This is another bathroom feature that makes clients feel like they’re in a luxury hotel. However, in real life, heated towel racks rarely get used, especially if you live in a warmer climate. “These things are definitely luxurious, but they’re also expensive to install, operate, and service,” explains Bar Zakheim, contractor and owner of Better Place Design & Build. “And, they are only really useful for a short stretch of the year here in San Diego,” he adds. 

Designer and manager at Sheds Unlimited, Sergey Mashkov, agrees. “The concept appears luxurious, but these devices rarely create the spa-like experience they promise,” he says. “People usually forget to turn them on before they need them, and even if they do, the heat output is relatively minimal.”

Mashkov says smart mirrors are his next pick. “The initial excitement for customers runs high, but their novelty typically wears off after a while,” he says. “The combination of technological malfunctions and simply becoming outdated turns an expensive mirror into just a regular mirror with a glitch.”

Diana George, founder and principal of DG Design Group Builders, says vessel sinks are an oft-requested feature that clients imagine looking and feeling luxurious. “Vessel sinks are impractical and nonfunctional,” George explains. “Homeowners always regret this choice, complaining that water is splashing everywhere and it’s hard to clean.” Instead, she suggests opting for integrated sinks with wall-mounted faucets, which she calls a “far more durable offering that bottles luxury with a twist of modern chic.”