5 Design Mistakes Kill Your Home’s Resale Value (& How to Avoid Them)

Credit to Owner

Introduction

Whether you're renovating to sell, extend your home, or build a second dwelling, design mistakes can cost you thousands — not just in construction, but in resale value.

This quick guide shares the 5 most common renovation mistakes that reduce buyer appeal, lower property value, or create council headaches — and how to avoid them with smarter design.

The Mistakes

1. Poor Layout Flow

Buyers value usable, open spaces. Choppy room arrangements, cramped kitchens, or dead-end corridors make a house feel smaller.
Tip: Open up traffic zones, ensure logical flow between kitchen–dining–living, and avoid "afterthought" room placements.

2. Illegal or Non-Compliant Additions

That “cheap” carport or granny flat might fail council approval later — and reduce the bank valuation.
Tip: Always design with the Building Code, R-Codes, and local planning requirements in mind. Ask your designer to check before you build.

3. Undersized Bedrooms or Rooms

Bedrooms smaller than 3x3m (or less than 7.5m²) are not considered legally compliant — and banks won’t value them fully.
Tip: Prioritise legal sizing, especially if you're adding a new room or converting a garage.

4. Overcapitalising

Spending $150k on a renovation that only adds $80k in value = a big mistake.
Tip: Work with a designer who understands resale value and can tailor your renovation to market expectations, not personal indulgence.

5. Ignoring Natural Light and Orientation

Dark rooms, poor window placement, and lack of airflow make your home feel cheap.
Tip: Good design leverages north-facing light, cross-ventilation, and appropriate shading — without expensive materials.

Next Step – Book a Site Briefing

Ready to avoid these mistakes on your own project?
Tay Bui Arch Studio offers a professional Site Inspection & Briefing service to help you plan smarter.

✅On-site visit
✅ Rough measure & photos
✅ Planning check
✅ Written summary of feasibility & design direction

Fee: $299 (credited toward full design if you proceed)

👉 To book your consultation, visit taybuiarch.com.au/contact or email tay.bui@taybuiarch.com.au

About Tay Bui Arch Studio

Tay Bui Arch Studio is a Perth-based residential design firm helping homeowners and investors unlock the full potential of their properties through practical, creative, and council-compliant solutions.

We specialise in:

Custom renovations & additions

Council approvals

Granny flats & extensions

Value-focused design

Want help with your project? Book a consult today.