Sometimes, the stylish home features that catch your eye in listing photos aren’t practical when it comes to daily routines. I learned this firsthand with the linear drains in my contemporary shower — they look sleek, but they’re less efficient than traditional drains and they demand way more upkeep. (We actually keep a screwdriver in the bathroom to pop the lid off and clean the drain weekly!) While it’s a minor inconvenience, it made me wonder about other so-called “luxe” bathroom upgrades that people end up regretting.
To get some insight, I turned to design professionals. Keep reading to discover six half or full bathroom upgrades that may look good but aren’t always the most practical choice.
Marble is undeniably beautiful and can elevate the look of any bathroom, whether it’s used in showers, on countertops, or as flooring, says Ebony Boudreaux, a kitchen and bath designer at NFM in Kansas City. However, this natural stone is not exactly practical. “Marble is naturally porous and must be cared for and maintained,” Boudreaux says. When it’s not properly looked after, you’ll start to notice signs like discoloration, cracking, crumbling, and even rusting.
If you do go the marble route, it’s important to treat and seal the stone often to preserve its original beauty, Boudreaux says. If that sounds like too much maintenance, she recommends opting for porcelain tile or quartz panels with a marble design instead of the real deal.
Freestanding Tubs
Freestanding tubs are popular and spa-like, plus they can make a statement in a bathroom. They’re especially popular if they’re enclosed in the same space as a shower — the spa-like “wet room” design is gaining popularity in 2025. But when going with this bathtub option, don’t skimp on materials, Boudreaux recommends.
You see, freestanding tubs aren’t surrounded by the same type of insulation as drop-in or alcove tubs. If it’s made with a thin acrylic, the bath water likely won’t hold heat for long, she says. She recommends resin, cast iron, stone, or a high-quality acrylic material on all freestanding tubs.
Smart Toilets
From heated seats to self-cleaning technology and an automatic bidet, smart toilets are a major upgrade, says Matthew Ross, the owner and founder of Denver Bathroom Pros in Colorado. But before you get too excited about the tech-savvy throne, Ross warns there’s one major downside: Repairs can cost a pretty penny.
“Due to all that technology inside the toilet bowl, when things go wrong, regular plumbers won’t cut it,” he says. “Instead, you’ll need specialized technicians, usually trained by the smart toilet manufacturer themselves.”
While a valve replacement on a regular toilet might set you back $100 to $200, fixing a smart toilet’s flush system can easily exceed $500 — something to think about before you get carried away by the thought of a heated tush.
Open Showers
Open, walk-in showers make your bathroom look larger and more modern. But buyers and renovators quickly discover that the ones that don’t have shower doors means water splashes everywhere — the mirrors, sinks, and the floor outside of the shower area, which makes it a slippery hazard, says Ross.
If you have wooden cabinets or vanities, having water repeatedly splash onto them can also cause damage like the wood swelling up or warping, he cautions.
