Recipe for Regret: 5 Things Homebuyers Hate About Their New Kitchens

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If you’ve recently bought a home, it’s normal to second-guess some of your decisions, large and small. A whopping 72% of recent homebuyers have regrets about their home purchases, according to a recent survey.

Many believe they paid too much (which makes sense in this wild market), but most others say their purchase was rushed. Details were overlooked, compromises were made, and now they live with regret. Every. Day.

The kitchen is one room where that regret sometimes simmers on low 24/7. Maybe buyers were willing to overlook an out-of-date kitchen if it meant they could afford an otherwise respectable house. Or perhaps they underestimated how much counter space they would actually need.

Read on for insight into the regrets homebuyers have about their new kitchens. Our experts offer cheap fixes for some issues and more involved solutions for others.

1. Crowded counters

We’ve all moved into a new place and started unpacking the coffee pot, blender, collection of artisanal olive oils, and that heirloom cookie jar only to discover there’s no room for anything else.

“I bought a home last year, and one of my biggest regrets is not realizing how little countertop space there is,” says Richard Hsu, founder of HowToArtist.com.

“When I was looking at the house, the countertop looked big enough when it was all empty. However, as I put things like an air fryer or a set of knives on the countertop, it felt quite a bit smaller than what I had imagined. … It makes my kitchen feel cramped and small, which makes me not want to stay there too long.”

Hsu says he kills two birds with one stone by keeping the kitchen pin-neat and putting away items he’s not using.

Zachary Smigel, the Pittsburgh-based founder of Real Estate License Wizard, also recommends using “an over-the-sink prep board” for extra space when you’re hosting holiday feasts or big dinner parties.

2. Inadequate task lighting

Cooking, of course, often requires a lot of highly focused jobs involving sharp tools, hot ovens, and sometimes even an open flame. Struggling to see what you’re doing is less than ideal.

Many buyers have discovered that a lack of sufficient lighting is a major annoyance and, worse, a safety hazard.

“Lack of task lighting is a frequent issue I see among new homebuyers,” says Ron Wysocarski, CEO of Wyse Home Team Realty in Daytona Beach, FL. “But solutions abound.”

One quick fix is to install puck lighting inside the cabinets to illuminate every shelf. Or you can install spotlights or LED strips onto the underside of the upper cabinets to brighten the counter space.

3. Lack of outlets

Cooking often requires a complex array of helper appliances: blenders, food processors, pressure cookers, etc. Your kitchen is probably teeming with plugs, but places to plug them? Not so much.

“Homebuyers often underestimate the number of outlets they actually need,” says Milo Cruz, a recent homebuyer and the CMO of Legend Cookware in Chestnut Ridge, NY. “They may account for big items—such as a refrigerator and microwave—but then fail to consider other necessities, even like a dedicated socket to charge their phone when cooking.”

The good news is that adding outlets doesn’t need to involve an electrical-system remodel.

“Pop-up countertop outlets are relatively easy to install and work great because they can be tucked away when not in use,” says Cruz.

Depending on the complexity of the project, you can also hire an electrician to install a new outlet for $133 to $296, according to Angi.

4. Cheap counters

Most countertops made of building-grade materials—think laminate or Corian—will not stand the test of time. After settling into new homes, many homebuyers discover their countertops are warped, scratched, or have tough-to-clean stains.

“Upgrading a countertop will not only improve your quality of life, it will seriously increase the overall value of your kitchen,” says Jon Sanborn, co-founder of Brotherly Love Real Estate in Philadelphia. “It is one of the best investments you can make, and the cost is highly dependent on your choice of materials.”

Sanborn recommends going with a top-quality material such as concrete ($40 to $80 per square foot), limestone ($65 to $180 per square foot), or granite ($50 to $100 per square foot).

5. Low-end appliances

Cheap refrigerators and ovens not only look bad; but over time, they often fail at doing the very specific tasks they are designed to accomplish.

“Low-end or builder-grade appliances are the worst,” says Robin Burrill, a Texas interior designer at Signature Home Services. “Builders get high-volume package deals with appliance companies; and they are rarely long-lasting, quality units.”

You might not be ready to replace all of your cheap appliances at once, so Burrill recommends taking a piecemeal approach. Top-notch refrigerators range in price from $650 to $2,000, ovens go for $700 to $3,000, and dishwashers typically cost $375 to $1,500.

Buying a house is a huge financial investment, and buyer’s regret is completely normal. Make small changes as you can. And next time: Double-check all of the above to sidestep multiple headaches altogether.

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