6 min readA home renovation is a costly task. Whether it’s done by professionals or DIY, a full gut renovation or a simple refresh, every decision needs careful thought to ensure the end product is a happy one and that the choices made aren’t a waste of money in the long term. Even though something is extremely beautiful or an additional feature seems like it’ll make life much more convenient, it doesn’t mean the cost and time it takes for the upkeep are worth it.
Especially with the “fast fashion-ication” of trends within the home industry, it’s hard to narrow down design choices you’ll be happy with in five or ten years from both an aesthetic and functionality standpoint. While we can’t test every single thing to tell you what deserves your hard-earned dollar, interior designers who’ve been working in this industry and have seen what’s come and gone surely can.
Keep reading to learn the 13 design decisions—some more permanent than others—this handful of experts deem to be more trouble than they’re worth, no matter how gorgeous they may be.
Zellige Tile
Zellige tile is having a moment right now, but it's always been undeniably beautiful. However, Jamie Chappell of Fireclay Tile notes that they can be difficult to install and maintain. “Because each piece is handmade, there’s a lot of variation in size and thickness, making installation slow and tricky,” she adds. “The surface chips, crazes, and stains easily, and it must be sealed regularly to stay protected.”
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 is what can make the tile difficult to work with, especially if you attempt to DIY your installation.
Cement Tile
Similar to zellige tile, cement tile can also be visually stunning, thanks to its bold patterns and saturated colors, but the upkeep is what puts it up for debate, according to Chappell. “It’s highly porous, so it stains and etches easily—think lemon juice or tomato sauce leaving permanent marks,” she says. “It needs frequent sealing and careful maintenance, and it’s heavy and labor-intensive to install.” Plus, making these tiles often requires high water and energy usage, which isn't very sustainable.
Waterfall Islands
While waterfall countertops look elegant, they're not really that practical, especially in kitchens. “They limit storage and seating options, add unnecessary cost, and the corners are susceptible to chipping,” Yvonne Harty of Harty Interiors says. Storage opportunities and outlet locations are also very limited, Brieanna Cunningham, Associate AIA and Project and Marketing Manager of C&C Partners adds. Harty suggests opting for a furniture-style island instead, with posts or panels for more personality and versatility. If you do have a gorgeous stone slab you want to use, Cunningham recommends using it as a backsplash instead.
Smart Homes
The idea of having a smart home that you can fully control from your phone is sexier than the reality. Cunningham explains that these packages tend to be much too costly for their low-voltage systems, and they rarely run as smoothly as they do in the movies. “Reality is, systems malfunction, Wi-Fi can stop working, and updates have glitches,” she says. If you want the luxury that a smart home brings without feeling like you've been scammed, invest in other reliable features, such as automated shades and light dimmers.
White Linen Furniture
Displaying white linen furniture in your home looks clean and beautiful, yes, but it also shows your houseguests that you're responsible enough to keep these pieces looking pristine. However, accidents happen; spills and smudges are very real possibilities, and if you have kids or pets, these blemishes are even more likely to occur. These items are nearly impossible to keep clean, designer Jessica Alpert explains, especially in a busy household.
Built-In Coffee Makers
A built-in coffee machine snuggled next to your other cabinets looks so sophisticated and sleek, and it frees up your counter space for a larger prep area or other countertop appliances. However, it also requires constant maintenance and cleaning, Alpert adds. At this point, you have to consider whether that headache is worth the cost of having one installed when you could just have a separate coffee bar with a nice espresso machine.
"Disposable" Furniture
If you're a frequent House Beautiful reader, then you know we're fans of slow decorating, which means taking your time to find quality pieces that are perfect for your home. This also means that we, like designer Cara Shahbandi of Stanton Home Design, aren't too keen on disposable furniture, which is basically just low-quality items. Ads and sponsored posts can make any couch look appealing, but oftentimes, the quality isn't there. “Take the time to save and invest in furniture that will last you longer than a year,” Shahbandi says.
Freestanding Tubs
Freestanding tubs provide a spa-like feel to a bathroom, but they're not always practical, Harty says. Unless you have a super large bathroom that allows your bathtub to have plenty of open space on all sides of it, you probably shouldn't have a tub like this—they're not meant to be shoved in a corner. “It loses its wow-effect, and cleaning behind it is impossible,” Harty adds. “A well-designed alcove or deck-mounted tub can be just as elegant and much more comfortable for daily use.”
Limewashing an Entire Home
“I know this might be controversial, but limewashing an entire home in a shade of white or cream is rarely worth the cost,” designer Heidi Houdek says. “The look is undeniably beautiful and textural, but the multi-day application can be incredibly labor-intensive and therefore expensive.” Instead, apply plaster to a few key focal points throughout your home, like the range hood or fireplace, for an earthy, organic aesthetic. Paint the walls in a warm neutral tone, too, and you can still capture the charming vibe you're going for without the price tag.
Wall-Mounted Pot Filler
Though pot fillers can actually boost your home's value, multiple interior designers say they're not at all worth the investment and are very overrated. “They look great in photos, but adding a water line behind the range can be surprisingly costly,” Houdek says. It feels ultra luxurious, but it typically doesn't add function to your everyday life.
“Unless you’re feeding a ton of people regularly, it’s just not worth the hassle of running separate water lines to it or it potentially leaking behind the wall,” designer Sierra Troitsky adds. “Same goes with bowl filler faucets for pets!”
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 all that great. “The tub ends up getting splashed and soapy every time someone showers, which leads to more maintenance and faster wear,” she explains. A large shower area can also be uncomfortable to bathe in because it takes so long to fill up with steam, making you feel chilly while you shower. “Beautiful, yes, but not as blissful as it looks on Pinterest.”
Marble Countertops
If you're at all interested in interior design, this one likely isn't a shock 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 demands maintenance and care throughout its lifetime,” he adds. “If you can't commit to re-sealing it yearly and instantly wiping every spill, prepare for permanent stains and acid etching within no time.”
Matte Black Faucets
Though matte black faucets and taps are all the rage right now, they end up looking messy unless you're constantly cleaning them. Dried soap, hard water spots, cleaning residue, toothpaste spatter—everything that you're trying to hide in a bathroom is revealed thanks to these faucets, says Silverton. While they give off a modern vibe, they're not very practical if you're even slightly messy.
