Home “Upgrades” You Will Regret and Find Hilarious

By: Stephen Thompson | Last updated: Nov 13, 2023

Nothing compares to the satisfaction of completing a home improvement project. After all, these projects can improve your living space and give you a sense of pride in your home. But what happens when things go awry? Ranging from DIY disasters to botched complications, numerous horror tales exist.

So, join us as we travel through some of the most hilarious, cringe-worthy, and unforgettable home renovation fails. You won’t want to skip these stories, we promise!

Lazy Landlord or Creative Genius?

Have you ever moved into a new place and discovered a preserved cockroach on the wall? No? One tenant did, and it wasn’t what they were expecting. Sure, having a bug gazing at you from the wall is gross, but it’s also adorable, right? I mean, the little guy appears to be tap dancing!

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Source: Reddit

Who needs a cat or a dog when you have such a stoic best friend? And hey, when you need someone to talk to, you know who’s always there to listen (even if they can’t speak back). Maybe this landlord was onto something…

The Odd Tile Out

Have you ever found something that isn’t even close to being a match? We’re referring to this oddball tile that glows brighter than the North Star. No quality matches the other tiles—not the color, texture, or pattern. It’s as if they glued a portion of their kitchen counter to the floor.

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Source: Twitter

What can you do as a tenant in this situation? You could attempt to keep the tile, but we’d rather opt for a fun carpet instead.

Painted Hair, Don't Care!

Oh, the pleasures of home improvement projects! They can be exhausting and stressful, and things don’t always go as expected. Take, for example, this DIY home enthusiast. In a fit of exhaustion, she got a unique makeover—a head full of paint! Getting paint out of your hair is difficult, and we sympathize with this woman.

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Source: Reddit

She’ll need a lot of hair treatment to get her hair back to normal. But, hey, at least she can laugh about it and say, “Painted hair, don’t care!”

Quack-tastic Design Sensibilities

Who knew duck footprints on the wet pavement could be such a work of art? We may not be experts in exterior design, but we can all concur that this is a masterpiece. While the owners of this home may be unhappy for the time being, just wait and see how quickly this becomes a trend.

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Source: Reddit

People may soon encourage their babies to crawl across newly poured concrete to be edgy! It’s an avant-garde work of art that will undoubtedly make a statement.

The Tragic Tale of the Painted Man

Our sympathies go out to this poor guy who was so close to completing his painting project only to have it all undone by one careless swoop. The final step that ties a space together is painting the walls, and we can’t fathom how it feels to set yourself back to zero with one mistake.

Source: Imgur

He now has a full list of tasks to accomplish before he can call it a day. Is it possible for him to remove the paint from the flooring, or should he start over? It’s a tragic story about how a basic error turned into a painting nightmare.

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Stranded on an Island of Her Own Making

Have you ever begun a task without a plan, believing it would be simple? We’ve all been there, but this lady went above and beyond. She learned the hard way that even seemingly simple tasks require some planning, after she stranded herself on her own little island while staining a floor.

Source: Reddit

With freshly stained wood that needs 24 hours to dry, she might want to set up camp for the night. Let’s learn our lesson here and remember that every DIY project needs some preparation.

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How Not to Design a Shower

This unusual shower design has us scratching our heads. The absence of a shower setting on the faucet and the awkward height placement result in an uncomfortable and inconvenient shower experience.

Source: Reddit

It’s challenging to understand the rationale behind this design choice, but we hope that users can still get clean despite the difficulties.

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A Feline Misadventure

No matter how much we adore our pets, they can be a handful at times. This cat’s mishap is a prime illustration of this. When the cat walked on the newly furbished stairs, it didn’t know any better.

Source: Reddit

If owners do not want their pets to enter an area, they should erect a small barrier. The poor thing probably freaked out on its way down. One can only picture the feline’s dismay as it stepped onto the slick stairwell and felt itself sink over and over!

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Lessons Learned From The Green Roof Trap

The thrill of a new endeavor can sometimes cause us to overlook the obvious. This man discovered that the hard way when he was physically painted into a corner. We can’t help but question if he was too taken with the glowing green roof to see the issues coming. 

Source: Reddit

However, all hope is not lost because we have devised the perfect solution to free him from his emerald entrapment. A helicopter with a harness is all he needs to lift him away to safety. Crisis averted!

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From Mishap to Masterpiece

This photo depicts a typical dad moment—attempting a DIY project and making it his own. While the end result may not be the most aesthetically pleasing or functional, it is certainly unique. And, let’s face it, the satisfaction of finishing a DIY project is well worth the effort, even if it doesn’t come out perfectly.

Source: Reddit

This household now has the most unique outlets around, and it’s all thanks to the offspring’s creativity. It just goes to demonstrate that sometimes the thought and effort are more important than the end result. Furthermore, as long as no one is electrocuted, we’ll award him a thumbs-up for a job well done!

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We've Heard of the Walls Caving In, But Expanding?

DIY home renovation can be rewarding, but it’s critical to understand your limits. Using spray foam insulation may appear to be a simple process, but errors can occur. Spray foam necessitates exact application and technique, and a mistake can result in costly repairs later on.

Source: Reddit

This user learned the hard way when their wall had an allergic reaction to their handywork. Hopefully, they found a quick and easy solution to fix this mess!

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A Shower for Everybody?

This mom’s intentions were good, but her efforts to make the shower welcoming for everyone backfired. This shower head modification may have worked for a giant, but it’s a different tale for people of average height.

Source: Reddit

Intending to meet customer specifications, the plumber’s execution only worsened matters. Now, anyone shorter than Shaquille O’Neal attempting to use the shower will miss the stream entirely. This well-intended concept turned into a nightmare because of poor execution.

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When Painting Your Cabinet Goes Awry

One DIY enthusiast ruined not only their wardrobe but also their dignity in an effort to paint a cabinet. It appeared to be a simple job at first, but halfway through they decided to take a look inside.

Source: Reddit

Now, their winter coats will be permanently marked with the same paint as their furnishings. As much as we all want to save money, there are instances when it is best to leave remodeling to the professionals.

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The Unconventional Dog Door

This DIY disaster may have failed, but it gave us a good laugh. This dog-friendly door’s creator must have had some wild imagination flowing when he came up with this one. It’s as if he was attempting to solve a puzzle and couldn’t find the missing piece.

Source: Reddit

Sure, it’s not the most visually appealing solution, but it may serve its purpose. We can only pray that the dustpan door stopper does not obstruct the dog’s entrance and exit. After all, man’s best friend deserves to make a grand entrance.

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Door Stopper Stubbornness

They say there’s more than one way to skin a cat, and apparently, there’s more than one way to stop a door. This individual has brought the concept of a doorstopper to an entirely new level. He’s managed to ensure the door will never shut again, and he appears pleased with his efforts.

Source: Reddit

But why limit yourself to one blocker when you can have two? However, the second appears to be totally useless, simply hanging there for decoration. Perhaps he should simply remove the door and accept an open floor plan. Who needs privacy when you have a clever and tenacious answer like this?

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To Fix or Not to Fix? That is the Question

Have you ever cringed because a home improvement project? This one just might steal the cake. While it may not seem to be a major issue at first, one misaligned tile can ruin the entire look of a room. And, let’s face it, you won’t be able to look away once you spot it.

Source: Reddit

You could get by with a DIY approach, but at what cost? Every time you have guests, you’ll pray they don’t notice. It’s time to face the punishment and begin again. Or better yet, hire a professional to prevent the headache entirely. Trust us, it will be worthwhile in the end.

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Interior Paint Job Gone Wrong

Oh, boy! We discovered another painting mishap that requires care. This guy clearly needs some assistance with his painting abilities. It’s as if he forgot to paint one area on the wall. Perhaps he hurried to complete the project and simply said, “Close enough.” Sorry, bud, not quite.

Source: Reddit

Let’s face it: it’s sometimes best to leave it to the pros. You should consider hiring a professional painter if you don’t want to wind up in the doghouse with your significant other. Otherwise, you risk being replaced with a superior model. Ouch!

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A Simple Task Turns Into a Nightmare

So, picture this: you hire some workers to paint your doors, and they do your floors too! Doesn’t that sound like a great deal? Not so much when you see the end product. It’s as if they were on autopilot and forgot how to do their work properly.

Source: Reddit

At least they were thoughtful enough to cover everything else except the floors. Whoops! Hopefully, the homeowners had planned to replace their floorboards anyway, because they were in for a surprise. We hope the paint firm had some deep pockets to cover the damages!

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Are You Ready for a Mini-Shower?

It’s not just a small world—it’s also a small shower! This bathroom designer must have been nostalgic for their preschool days when they designed this compact shower cubicle.

Source: Reddit

It’s ideal for washing only the bottom half of your body but not for anyone taller than a kindergartener. But, hey, if you know someone who enjoys the semi-showered life, direct them this way.

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TV and Wall Collateral Damage

We’ve all felt the rush of doing something for ourselves, only to lament it later. These poor individuals had to learn this lesson the hard way. They not only ruined their TV, but they also destroyed their wall—what a double punch!

Source: Reddit

Situations like this remind us why we should leave certain tasks to professionals. So, remember this cautionary tale the next time you’re feeling crafty.

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Yikes! Hurricane Cabinet Strikes

This cabinet installation blunder is a costly reminder that even professionals make errors. Cabinets must be secured to a stud, not just sheetrock.

Source: Reddit

Whoever thought this was a good idea was either inexperienced or attempting to save money. Fortunately for them, only the house was destroyed. Lesson learned: don’t skimp on essential home improvements.

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The In-Law Awning Mishap

Awning construction can be difficult, but this project took an unanticipated turn. It’s unclear what occurred, but the outcome is hilarious. Well, maybe not the amateur carpenter—imagine finishing a section of the job and discovering you made this huge mistake.

Source: Reddit

On the plus side, they won’t have to fear falling off the ladder while descending. We can’t help but believe that they should have left it alone. It’s easy to get to the top, and the view is undoubtedly spectacular!

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Abstract Art or Plumbing Disaster?

This plumber appears to have missed a memo about how pipes are meant to function! We’re not specialists, but we believe pipes should be installed inside the wall, not outside. 

Source: Reddit

What’s with the odd shape? Is this a brand-new pipe style that we aren’t aware of? Do any engineers want to weigh in? Not only is this arrangement an eyesore, but it also renders an entire corner of the home inoperable.

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Insect Infestation Inside an Electrical Socket

Imagine discovering that your electrical socket is being used as a bug graveyard—it’s enough to make you itch. We’re not sure how these insects got into the socket, but we’re glad they received what they deserved (electrocution).

Source: Reddit

This demonstrates that you never know what lurks behind your walls. It’s a good reminder to always be on the lookout for anything unusual, particularly regarding your home’s security.

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When Ceiling Fan Meets Beam

According to one installer, no fan is too large for a space. Rather than buying a replacement fan, they grabbed a saw and hacked away at the beam until there was enough clearance for it to spin.

Source: Reddit

While we admire their inventiveness, we can’t help but ponder what other structural corners were cut in this do-it-yourself project. Remember, safety first!

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A Footprint to Last For Eternity

Painting the floor can be a fun DIY project, but you must prepare beforehand. Unfortunately, this individual apparently neglected to consider their wet footwear before standing up. Oops! But, hey, maybe they can transform it into a trendy new floor aesthetic by adding more family footprints.

Source: Twitter

While it may be a one-of-a-kind and sentimental addition to the home, it’s probably best to prepare ahead of time to avoid leaving any unsightly marks.

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A Bluey Disaster

We all have clumsy times, but this one is particularly memorable. Someone spilled a full can of blue paint on the stairs! On the positive side, they’ve struck gold if blue is their favorite color.

Source: Reddit

The real question is why they needed so much blue color in the first place? It’s not the most flattering hue for a staircase. They might never look at blue the same way again after this catastrophe.

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(Stuck) Up on the Housetop

This man appears to have overestimated his ability to repair his roof. He’s now trapped up there, and it seems he’ll be there for a while. 

Source: Reddit

While we’re all for making the best of a bad circumstance, we hope he called for help before posting this online. Always prioritize safety over social media likes!

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Give the Family a Heads Up About the Renovations

When making major changes to the house, especially the ones that will accidentally trap you in one part of the house, it’s a good idea to tell the entire family about what’s going on so they can prepare!

Source: Reddit

This person was in for a surprise when they woke up to the stairs of their house being nowhere to be found! Who knows how long this renovation will last. Hopefully they don’t have somewhere important to be.

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Have an Expert Install the Fireplace

Can we all agree that when it comes to the fireplace, we will have an expert install instead of trying to do it ourselves. There are some things that should just be handled by trained experts.

Source: kondaz/ Reddit

This person learned this the hard way when their entire yurt went up in flames due to an improperly constructed fireplace. When it comes to fire, let’s not mess around!

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Beware the Roomba

Roombas are usually more than helpful when it comes to cleaning up the floor. Afterall, they are those handy little vacuums that pick up dust without you having to lift a finger.

Source: astrangersayshi/ Reddit

But, when you have paint or sheetrock lying around, they might just do the exact opposite of cleaning. This one picked up a tiny piece of sheetrock and dragged it all over the floor. Lovely!

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It’s Not Always Your Own DIY PRojects That Get You In Trouble

Sadly, when it comes to apartment living, you might be subject to other people’s failed DIY projects as well. This person was in for a surprise when something unexpected came through their floor.

Source: p4r4v4n/ Reddit

Their downstairs neighbors look to have been trying to drill something in their ceiling but the drill went all the way through their ceiling and through the floor of their neighbor’s floor above them.

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One Thing at a Time

When doing home projects on your own, it’s important to follow instructions step by step. Don’t be the hero that “doesn’t need” the help of a manual or else you might end up like this poor guy.

Source: Imgur

You would think putting a new toilet seat on would be a rather simple DIY project, but here we have an example of just how wrong it can go!

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Home Improvement or Home Destroyer?

There are some so-called home “upgrades” that are really anything but! This is one such example. Unless this person was going for some kind of bizarre artwork, we have to say the wall probably looked better before.

Source: gothram/ Reddit

I suppose we should give them some credit for trying but this is such a slacker job. Here’s a home improvement tip: Spray foam does not hold bricks together, just so you know!

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Not What You Want to Find When You’re Looking For a Stud

Unfortunately, this home improvement amateur is not alone in this predicament. Many “wannabe” handymen have gone searching for a stud in the wall to hang something and ended up hitting a water pipe instead.

Source: chicoquadcore/ Reddit

This makes for one expensive mess. Some things are really best left to the professionals. Whatever money they might have saved on the project is now out the window with the cost of fixing this pipe.

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Giving Up Halfway Through

One thing that we should all take into consideration before we start on a home improvement project is if we are really going to commit to the entire thing, even if it’s ging to take longer than expected.

Source: ten_tons_of_light/ Reddit

This person decided to paint the house a bright orange but gave up halfway through. Maybe they didn’t have a ladder tall enough to reach the top. Or, maybe they just realized orange is a pretty ambitious color for a house!

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Know Your Walls!

Removing walls from the house is a major undertaking, and perhaps something that should be done by a professional. At the very least, you should enlist the guidance of an expert to consult you and avoid any disasters.

Source: PF3/ Reddit

This person knocked down a wall that happened to be load-bearing, meaning it was literally imperative to maintain the structure and keep it standing up. Tragically, taking out that one wall caused the entire house to lean and collapse.

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The Least Useful Door in the World

A door’s only real function is to open and close, but this one will not be doing that because of the way this person installed it. And by the sound of it, they put a lot of time into this project!

Source: dreyyy/ Reddit

The sad part is that they did manage to fix the toilet, which was the point of the project! But, they forgot that pesky door and now they will have to take it all apart again. Maybe they should just call a contractor.

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A Uniquely Horrific Door?

Let’s talk about doors. In particular, the one shown below. It’s similar to the awkwardly big gaps in American restroom stall doors. You know, the ones where you can establish eye contact with strangers while going about your business? Yikes.

Source: Reddit

In any case, this door is not the same size as all the other doors on its planet. It isn’t particularly functional, and it gives the home a creepy vibe, which could be deliberate. We feel sorry for whoever is forced to live with this entryway.

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