The #1 Thing Interior Designers Say You Need to Stop Buying
Let's face it: Decorating isn't exactly easy. Whether you live in a small apartment or a spacious home, there's so much to consider. You have to settle on the right furniture, decorative choices, window treatments and even storage solutions that suit your style and budget.
If you've ever been stumped when it comes to choosing the best items for your space, we're here to help. We asked interior designers about the top things they would never buy (and what you to stop buying for your home). Check out their picks below to make the most of your space, regardless of its size.
Area Rugs That Are Too Small
An ill-fitting rug is never a good idea, says designer Marie Cloud of Indigo Pruitt Design Studio. "Stop buying area rugs that are too small for your space," Cloud says. "A rug that doesn’t properly anchor your furniture can make the room feel disconnected. Always choose a size that allows at least the front legs of your furniture to sit on the rug."
RELATED: Best Rugs You Can Throw in the Washing Machine
Word Art
We know, we know. Word art might feel like an easy way to add personality to your space, but Sara Malek Barney of BANDD/DESIGN warns that it can feel kitschy. "Please, please stop buying directional word art. We don’t need to label every area of our homes with labels like 'gather' or 'family.'"
Fake Plants
Even if you're far from a green thumb, there are tons of real low-maintenance plants that can breathe life into your space. Designer Lindsey Colhoun says fake plants shouldn't be your go-to: "They collect dust and lack the vibrant energy that only real plants can provide in a lived in home. Opt for low-maintenance, real greenery to create a fresher, more inviting environment."
RELATED: Best Indoor Plants to Brighten up Every Room
Matching Furniture Sets
The last thing you want to do is purchase all matching furniture, whether you're shopping for your living room, dining room or bedroom. "Matching sets scream cheap, no matter how much money you spend on a seemingly beautiful set," says designer Amanda Leigh at House of Rolison. "The value and beauty of decorating a home is to curate and let your home represent you."
Designer Hannah Goldberg of Hannah Charlotte Interiors agrees, noting that matching furniture sets evoke a showroom vibe. "Nothing is worse than walking in to a room and feeling like the furniture was plucked right off the showroom floor or catalog page. For our clients, we carefully source pieces that balance and complement each other without matching. The varying forms, sizes and materials are important in creating a warm, layered and collected feeling that you cannot achieve with a matching set of furniture."
Fast Furniture
"One item we often advise clients against is 'fast furniture' —inexpensive, mass-produced pieces that aren’t built to last," says DuVäl Reynolds of DuVäl Design. "While they may seem appealing in the short term, they often lack quality, style and longevity, leading to unnecessary waste."
Instead, Reynolds recommends "investing in timeless, well-made pieces that enhance both the functionality and beauty of a space for years to come."
Items Featured in Targeted Ads
There's no escaping targeted ads on social media, but that's not a reason to click "add to cart" every time an enticing piece of furniture pops up on your screen. Designer Mary Patton has some advice to resist the urge to shop impulsively:
"This may sound impossible, but if you make yourself go to a store to purchase something, it eliminates so much waste. It goes back to the thought process of if you really want or need something for your home, you will do it mindfully. Everything in your home should have meaning — being wasteful is out."
Bar Carts
This one might surprise you, but Emily Thomsen of Sagrada Studio says it's time to give up the bar carts. "Bar carts can often look cluttered and lack the versatility of a well-chosen cabinet or shelving system. Cabinets offer a more polished way to display glassware and bar accessories while keeping everything organized, with space for extras like cocktail books or bottles, all without adding visual clutter."
The Wrong Curtains
Designer Becky Shea says window treatments can make or break a space: "Stop buying curtains that are too short or don’t have a proper, luxurious stack. It’s the equivalent of chopping your bangs too short after a bad breakup—it’s an impulsive decision that you’ll regret. Consider investing in temporary, recyclable window coverings to block out light while you wait for custom or properly sized curtains to arrive. Not only will this maintain the overall integrity of your space, but it’s also a more sustainable and stylish choice in the long run.
Brieanna Cunningham of design firm C&C Partners shares this sentiment: "From an architectural perspective, who loves to design a home’s window placement, color and style down to the very inch, do NOT have ill-fitting window treatments. Bulky, outdated drapery in a traditional home can leave a room feeling heavy, or non-concealed shades can detract from the clean lines in a modern home."
RELATED: 30 Living Room Curtain Ideas
The Wrong Picture Frames
Take the time to curate your best family snaps for a gallery wall. Teresa Mack Noval of A Design Company says it pays to choose your frames wisely, though. "While family photos are cherished, filling your home with countless picture frames in various finishes and colors can overwhelm the aesthetic of your space. When photos are scattered across multiple surfaces in different styles—like mismatched frames from vacations—they can lose their impact and feel visually chaotic."
So what's the best method for showing off an assortment of family photos? "A more intentional approach is to group family photos together in a single display. Whether it’s a gallery wall, a floating shelf or a dedicated console table, this method creates a cohesive focal point," she says.
Have fun picking frames with a similar finish, Mack Noval says. The options are endless — think matte black, brushed metal or natural wood. "Frames can vary in size and subtle design details, but keeping the finishes uniform shifts the focus to the images themselves."
Themed Decor
Think twice before decorating a room with overly themed decor, says designer Marie Cloud of Indigo Pruitt Design Studio. "Whether it’s nautical everything for a beach house or farmhouse overload in a suburban home, these items can feel forced and limit your ability to evolve your space. Instead, aim for subtle nods to a theme through textures, colors, and select decor pieces that offer flexibility and timeless appeal."
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