We all make mistakes, even when it comes to decorating our homes. Sometimes we follow a trend that turns out to be short-lived, or we choose a style that doesn’t suit our personality or lifestyle. To help you avoid some common pitfalls, we asked nine interior designers to reveal the home decor choices they regret the most and what they learned from them.
- Too Much Faux Bamboo and Palm Fronds
Designer Lindsay Speace admits that she was obsessed with the Palm Beach regency trend in the mid-2000s, when she filled her DC apartment with faux bamboo furniture, a palm frond chandelier, and black and white stripes inspired by Dorothy Draper. While she still likes some of these elements, she realized that using them all together made her space look like a vintage shop. Now she prefers to mix pieces from different eras and styles for a more balanced and layered look.
- A Hanging Chair That No One Uses
Designer Danielle Chiprut of Danielle Rose Design Co. fell in love with the idea of having a hanging chair in her bedroom, but she soon discovered that it was more trouble than it was worth. Not only did it take up valuable space and block her closet door, but it also remained unused by anyone in her home. She learned the hard way that function should always come before form when it comes to choosing furniture.
- A Mix of Bright Colors and Patterns That Kept Her Awake
Designer Lindsey Gregg of LSG Interiors wanted to create a playful and interesting bedroom with a colorful Suzani fabric headboard, yellow Moroccan tile print shams, and hot pink ikat pillows. However, she found out that the energizing effect of these bright colors and patterns was not conducive to a good night’s sleep. She had to redo her bedroom with more subdued tones and textures to create a relaxing atmosphere.
- Farmhouse Signs That Didn’t Fit Her Location
Designer Valerie Darden of Brexton Cole Interiors regrets spending money on farmhouse signs that said things like “gather” and “fresh eggs” in 2015 and 2016. She realized that these signs were not only overdone, but also out of place in her suburban home outside of Washington, DC. She decided to get rid of them and opt for more authentic and personal decor instead.
- Word Art and Other Trendy Choices That Didn’t Age Well
Designer Jodi Gonzalez made several trendy choices in 2007 that she later regretted, such as painting her kitchen a lime green color, putting up word wall decals, and buying a black pub-height kitchen table that was too big for her space. She learned that trends come and go, but timeless classics never go out of style.
- Maximalism That Made Her Feel Cluttered
Designer Bobby Berk, the design guru on Netflix’s “Queer Eye” and creator of Bobby Berk Design, is a minimalist at heart who likes spaces that feel clean and organized. He says he would never go for the maximalist look that involves a lot of colors, prints, and patterns, as he finds it too stimulating and chaotic. He prefers something more subdued and curated.
- Shabby Chic That Felt Contradictory
Designer Amhad Freeman of Amhad Freeman Interiors is not a fan of shabby chic, a style that features distressed or vintage furniture and accessories that create an elegant yet casual look. He says his approach to design is sleek, pared-back, and carefully edited, so anything crowded or maximalist feels like a personal contradiction. He believes that design should be calm and serene, so he stays away from clutter or anything that feels fast or loud.
- Traditional Interiors That Lacked Personality
Designer Bobby Berk also says he would never go for a traditional interior that sticks to one style or period. He thinks that traditional interiors are more exciting when they incorporate other styles and references that create a unique feel. He likes to mix old and new elements for contrast and interest.
- Double-Tiered Counters That Wasted Space
The team at Kate Marker Interiors advises against installing double-tiered counters in the kitchen, where one half is at normal height for working and the other half is elevated for seating. They say this design wastes space and makes the kitchen look dated. They suggest going for a single-level counter or an island instead.
