7 Home Renovations You Can Skip in 2022

If you're usually focused on saving money, a home renovation can be a wonderful way to spend on something you'll enjoy without having to feel guilty. That's because renovations that offer a decent return on investment (ROI) can be a great investment in your home. But not all renovations add the value you might expect. If you're thinking of renovating in 2022, you'll want to choose your projects carefully. To make it easier, we're breaking down the home renovations you're probably better off skipping.

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With a national average price of over $30,000 and an ROI of only 7%, according to HomeAdvisor, this is a costly project you're very unlikely to recoup your investment on when you sell. Even in warmer climates where pools are more desirable, they can be a deal-breaker for potential buyers who are turned off by the maintenance. The potential for accidents also tends to mean higher insurance premiums -- and one more thing to worry about if the property is a rental.

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Many consider the kitchen the heart of the home, so wanting yours to look amazing makes perfect sense. Some more minor kitchen tweaks involving fixtures, appliances, and countertops can pay off. But once you start knocking down walls to open up your floor plan and have to rearrange plumbing to accommodate your changes, you’re most likely only going to recoup around 50% of your investment, according to HomeAdvisor. So, it may pay to think small in this room.

If you’ve been dreaming of expanding your bathroom and transforming it into a retreat with features like a designer shower and freestanding tub, you may want to think again. Like the kitchen, the bath is another area of the home where less is likely to equal more. According to Zillow, an upscale bath remodel with structural changes will likely cost over $61,000 on average but only has an ROI of around 56%.

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Whether you're looking to sell, rent out, or just enjoy your home, replacing worn-out flooring is a must. But before you take on that expense, it's worth checking out the ROIs of various materials. Carpet has fallen out of favor with many because it can be harder to feel it's truly clean, and it can hold onto unpleasant smells. Pet owners especially tend to avoid it these days.

And while marble tile is expensive and elegant, future buyers could be turned off by maintenance concerns. According to Realtor.com, carpet has an ROI of only 25% to 40%, while marble clocks in at around 50%.

An elegant wallpaper job can elevate the look of your entire home. And there are thousands upon thousands of options to choose from in every color, texture, and sheen imaginable. The price range is as extensive as the variety: You could spend over $8,000 papering a single room in some of the best paper money can buy. And while you might be pleased with the results, according to HomeAdvisor, your ROI on that project would be exactly $0. While it's true the look could tempt a potential buyer, their tastes would have to be very closely aligned with yours.

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A sunroom, sometimes called a solarium, is similar in appearance to a screen room but with walls of glass -- or at least very large windows. Unlike a screen room, a sunroom can be enjoyed any time of year in any climate and allows you to feel closer to nature from the temperature-controlled comfort of your home.

The cost range is huge: Depending on how fancy you get with it, you could spend anywhere from $8,000 to $80,000, according to HomeAdvisor. But with an ROI of less than 50%, you would have to want this remodel pretty bad to make it worth your while.

A patio can expand your living space when the weather's nice and provide an elegant backdrop for entertaining. With the right design, furniture, and layout, it can even create stiff competition with your living room for the most lived-in area of the home.

The average cost is just over $3,000, and you should expect to pay double that or more if including a roof. But according to HomeAdvisor, the ROI is less than 50%. That said, outdoor space has become more desirable lately with so many people tired of being inside, so it will be interesting to see whether this number changes soon as a result. You could also apply the same logic to sunrooms on the previous slide.

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Try not to be too disappointed if a renovation you had in mind made this list. As the king or queen of your castle, you are, of course, totally free to make any renovation you choose.

If you plan to remain in your home for many more years and can afford the upgrades, it’s easy to make the case that the increased enjoyment of the home you and your family would experience is reason enough to go for it. But if you’re an investor or plan to sell in the next couple of years, you’re probably better off crossing these ideas off your list.

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