6 min readIn a world where it seems like everyone is constantly trying to sell you something, it can be difficult to know what your money is actually worth – and what isn't. That's why here house beautiful, We're doing our best Test and evaluate numerous household products, such as powerful vacuum cleaners, cooling bed accessories and other home technology. However, when it comes to more permanent design decisions – like tiles, countertops, wall textures – it's harder to determine what is a scam and what isn't.
With such a focus on home trends, it becomes even more difficult to narrow down the choices that are worth the effort and time. This isn't about your stylistic preferences; This is about the actual functionality in your home. And while we may not be able to test these features to give you our opinion, we can may Ask interior designers what they think are the biggest home design scams today.
While they bring the hottest trends into spaces, designers also work with different materials, devices, and features every day, so they know what's a scam and what's not. We asked a handful of experienced DIYers to tell us what things give a terrible return on investment, and they eagerly shared their thoughts. Read on to discover the 13 home decor items these designers would never have in their own spaces.
Cellular tile
Zellige tiles are having a moment right now, but they've always been undeniably beautiful. However, Fireclay Tile's Jamie Chappell believes they are “often more trouble than it's worth”. The appeal of Zellige is that each piece is handmade, resulting in a truly unique look whether you have this tile in your bathroom or kitchen. However, this uniqueness can make working with the tile difficult, especially if you try to install it yourself. “Because each piece is handmade, there is a lot of variation in size and thickness, making installation slow and difficult,” he adds. “The surface flakes easily, forms cracks and stains and requires regular sealing to remain protected.”
cement tile
Similar to zellige tiles, cement tiles can also be visually impressive thanks to their bold patterns and rich colors, but Chappell says maintenance is what makes them something of a scam. “It's very porous, so it stains and etches easily – think lemon juice or tomato sauce, which leave a permanent mark,” he says. “It requires frequent sealing and careful maintenance and is heavy and labor-intensive to install.” Additionally, the production of these tiles often requires high water and energy consumption, which is not very sustainable.
Waterfall Islands
A waterfall countertop may look beautiful, but it's not particularly practical.
While waterfall countertops look elegant in a kitchen, they really aren't that practical, especially in kitchens that get a lot of use. “They limit storage and seating options, add unnecessary costs and the corners are prone to chipping,” says Yvonne Harty of Harty Interiors. Storage options and points of sale are also very limited, adds designer Brieanna Cunningham of C&C Partners. Harty suggests opting for a furniture-style island instead, with posts or panels for more personality and versatility. If you want to use a beautiful stone slab, Cunningham recommends using it as a backsplash instead.
Smart homes
The idea of a smart home that you can fully control from your phone is more attractive than the reality. Cunningham explains that these packages tend to be way overpriced for their low voltage systems and rarely run as smoothly as they do in the movies. “The reality is that systems will malfunction, Wi-Fi may stop working, and there will be glitches with updates,” she says. If you want to enjoy the luxury of a smart home without feeling cheated, invest in other reliable features like automatic blinds and light dimmers.
White linen furniture
While displaying white linen furniture in your home looks clean and beautiful, it also shows your house guests that you are responsible enough to keep these pieces looking pristine. However, accidents do happen; Spills and stains are a very real possibility, and if you have children or pets, the chances of these blemishes occurring are even greater. It's nearly impossible to keep these items clean, explains designer Jessica Nicastro, especially in a busy household.
Built-in coffee machines
There is a built-in coffee machine above the oven in this kitchen.
A built-in coffee maker nestled next to your other cabinets looks so classy and elegant and frees up space on your counter for a larger prep area or other countertop appliances. However, it also requires constant maintenance and cleaning, Nicastro adds. At this point, you need to consider whether this headache is worth the cost of installation when you could simply have a separate coffee bar with a nice espresso machine.
“Disposable” furniture
If you are there frequently House beautiful Readers, then you know we're fans of decorating slowly, meaning taking the time to find quality pieces that are perfect for your home. This also means that, like designer Cara Shahbandi of Stanton Home Design, we're not too keen on disposable furniture, which is essentially just low-quality items. Advertisements and sponsored posts can make any couch look attractive, but the quality is often lacking. “Take the time to save and invest in furniture that will last more than a year,” says Shahbandi.
Freestanding tubs
Freestanding tubs add a spa feel to a bathroom, but aren't always practical, says Harty. Unless you have a particularly large bathroom where your bathtub has plenty of open space on all sides, you probably shouldn't have a bathtub like this – it's not designed to be pushed into a corner. “It loses its wow factor and cleaning behind it is impossible,” adds Harty. “A well-designed nook or tub on the deck can be just as elegant and much more comfortable for everyday use.”
Whitewash an entire house
“I know this might be controversial, but whitewashing an entire house in a white or cream tone is rarely worth it,” says designer Heidi Houdek. “The look is undeniably beautiful and textured, but multi-day application can be incredibly labor-intensive and therefore expensive.” Instead, apply plaster to a few key locations in your home, such as the range hood or fireplace, to create an earthy, organic aesthetic. Also, paint the walls a warm, neutral shade and you can still capture the charming vibe you want without the price tag.
Wall mounted pot filler
This wall-mounted pot filler sits above the stove.
Although pot fillers can actually increase the value of your home, several interior designers say they are not worth the investment at all and are greatly overrated. “They look great in photos, but adding a waterline behind the area can be surprisingly expensive,” says Houdek. It feels extremely luxurious, but typically doesn't add any functionality to your everyday life.
“Unless you're feeding a lot of people on a regular basis, it's just not worth putting separate water pipes there or you might end up leaking behind the wall,” adds designer Sierra Troitsky. “The same goes for faucets with pet food bowls!”
Wet rooms
A wet room is a must if you want your bathroom to feel like a luxury spa, but Houdek says they're not that great. “The tub gets splashed and soapy every time someone showers, which leads to more maintenance and faster wear and tear,” she explains. Bathing in a large shower area can also be uncomfortable because it takes so long to fill with steam, making you cold while showering. “Beautiful, yes, but not as blissful as it looks on Pinterest.”
Marble countertops
If you're at all interested in interior design, this probably doesn't come as a surprise to you. As designer Matthias Silverton of The Snug Company puts it, marble is a status material, not a functional one. “You’re paying a premium for a porous, soft stone that requires maintenance and care throughout its life,” he adds. “If you can't commit to resealing it every year and immediately wiping up every spill, you'll be setting yourself up for permanent stains and acid burns in no time.”
Matt black taps
Although matte black faucets and faucets are all the rage right now, they end up looking messy if you don't clean them constantly. Dried soap, hard water stains, cleaning residue, toothpaste splatters—anything you want to hide in a bathroom will be revealed thanks to these faucets, says Silverton. Although they exude a modern vibe, they aren't very practical if you're even a little messy.
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