Top 10 Regrettable Home Purchases in Korea

If you’re living alone in Korea, chances are you’ve made some impulsive purchases that seemed brilliant at first but turned into dust-collecting regrets. As a three-year veteran of K-Life solo living, I’ve bought my fair share of \”why did I buy this?\” home items. Some were recommended by influencers, others were just too cute to resist—but in the end, they taught me one thing: function always beats fantasy.

So before you click that “Buy Now” button, let me walk you through my Top 10 regrettable home purchases in Korea. I call this list: “Things I bought so you don’t have to.” 😅

1. Foldable Electric Kettle

It sounds perfect, right? Foldable, portable, ideal for tight spaces. Until you realize it takes forever to boil water, the silicone body feels unstable, and worst of all—it smells weird even after several uses. It ended up tucked in a drawer, forgotten like a bad date.

2. Mini Multipurpose Tables

Advertised as study desk, laptop stand, and dinner tray all in one. Reality? Wobbly legs, uneven surfaces, and exactly one week of use before it’s abandoned in a corner. Unless you want another thing to trip over in your tiny officetel, skip it.

3. Backrest Cushions (a.k.a. Mini Sofa Props)

I wanted that cozy café-vibe corner. I got a saggy lump that wouldn’t stay upright. These overly decorative cushions provide no real support, take up way too much space, and just end up collecting hair and crumbs.

4. Transparent Shoe Boxes

Ah yes, organizing heaven… or so I thought. But in reality, you’ll spend more time trying to open each tiny plastic drawer than finding your shoes. The boxes don’t stack properly, and they make your hallway look like a convenience store storage room.

5. Cheap Room Dividers

Wanted: privacy and aesthetic. Got: flappy panels that fall over with one sneeze. These dividers are too light to be functional and too bulky to store when not in use. Instead of chic, they made my studio feel like a backstage at a school play.

6. Portable Fabric Wardrobes

They look like minimalist storage solutions on Instagram. In reality, they’re a hot mess of sagging rods and ripped fabric after one season. If your clothes weigh more than marshmallows, don’t even think about it.

7. “Healing” Aroma Diffusers

The promise: serenity and scent. The truth: leaky reservoirs, burned-out bulbs, and the constant fear of setting the room on fire. If your life is stressful, this will add to it—not relieve it.

8. Clip-on Bedside Lamps

They never stay clipped. Ever. The arms are too weak, the lights are too dim or too blue, and the cord always gets tangled in your pillow at 3AM. A proper standing lamp is worth the investment.

9. Sticker Wall Hooks (Fake 3M Type)

They seem convenient until your towels, bags, or even umbrellas come crashing down in the middle of the night. These budget versions often peel paint, lose stickiness in humidity, and don’t even hold light items well.

The Last of Regrettable Home Purchases in Korea!!

10. Overly Specific Kitchen Gadgets

Egg slicer. Banana cutter. One-function veggie chopper. Do I even need to explain? In a Korean one-room kitchen where even counter space is a dream, these items are just… ironic. Use a knife and save your sanity.

Bonus: Honorable Mentions That Still Haunt Me

• Mini humidifier that just made everything feel… damp
• Foldable chair that folded on its own… while I was sitting on it
• LED mood light that flickered like a horror movie scene

So, What Should You Do Instead?

Before buying anything, ask yourself:

• “Can this be used for more than one purpose?”
• “Will this still be functional after six months?”
• “Do I have space to store it when not in use?”

Minimalism is not just aesthetic—it’s survival in Korean solo living. Invest in quality, not quantity. And please, don’t make the same mistakes I did. Your wallet—and your tiny apartment—will thank you.

Did you buy something worse? Let’s cry about it together in the comments below—or better yet, tag me on Threads and Pinterest with your K-Life fails! 💡

Feeling inspired to clean, declutter, or just vibe better at home? This post might just change your daily routine. (Yes, seriously!)