Some home trends look pretty bad in real life or don’t age well.John Keeble/Getty Images
Bold wallpapers can overwhelm a room and rarely stand the test of time.
Once the wallpaper is applied, it is difficult to remove. Fio Creative/Shutterstock
Bold wallpaper can add character and personality to a room, but if the pattern is too exaggerated, you may end up creating an overwhelming eyesore.
Wallpaper is a pain to remove and smearing a layer of paint over it is like putting lipstick on a pig, so you want to make sure that the wallpaper you choose will be something you’ll be happy with for years to come.
There are very few wallpaper designs that are truly timeless, and they can quickly turn your sanctuary into a circus. I recommend an understated wallpaper that adds texture and interest without creating visual clutter.
All-white interiors may look stunning in a curated Instagram post, but in reality they can appear sterile, cold and characterless.
Purely white rooms can appear sterile in real life. Hendrickson Photography/Shutterstock
Pure white interiors look like a dream in photos, but in reality they are about as inviting as a dentist’s waiting room.
While the appeal of a minimalist, clean space is certainly appealing, all-white interiors seriously lack personality and warmth. If you don’t introduce a variety of textures and finishes, the result is a monotonous and uninteresting space.
Instead of an all-white interior, I recommend using different textures, shades and materials in a neutral color palette to add depth and excitement to your space while still achieving a minimalist look.
This approach allows you to create a welcoming space that feels more like a home and less like a hospital.
While painting kitchen countertops may seem like a cost-effective and fashionable solution, it can cause damage and discoloration.
Painted worktops cannot compete with the natural robustness of materials such as granite or quartz. Hendrickson Photography/Shutterstock
Painting your kitchen countertops may seem like an aesthetically pleasing DIY project, but in reality they are a visual disaster.
One of the biggest problems with painted countertops is durability. Kitchen countertops are subject to daily wear and tear – painted countertops are not resistant to scratches, chips and stains.
No matter how hard you try to protect them or how many layers of resin you pour over them, they will eventually become damaged, discolored or stained.
Believe me, there is no painted kitchen countertop that will not chip or yellow over time.
Artificial plants look kitschy and lifeless and are therefore not a good choice for any well-designed room.
Artificial plants can look like something out of a science fiction movie. Arayabandit/Shutterstock
Although you can’t kill an artificial plant, you can’t fool anyone with this plastic imitation either.
They may seem like a practical way to add greenery to your space, but they end up gathering dust and looking more like a prop from a bad sci-fi movie than a natural element in your home.
The beauty of houseplants is that they add a touch of nature and organic beauty to your home.
If you don’t have a green thumb, fear not. There are plenty of low-maintenance plants that can add life and energy to your space without the need for a degree in horticulture. Instead, opt for the nearly indestructible money plant or snake plant.
Deep pile carpets are dirt-repellent and cost a lot of money to maintain.
My opinion may be controversial, but you should avoid deep pile carpets. Africa Studio/Shutterstock
The luxurious and tactile quality of deep pile carpets is undeniable. However, they often lose their shine after just a few months and become dirty and matted.
The biggest problem with these plush floor coverings is maintenance. The long, shaggy fibers that make deep pile carpets so visually appealing also make them difficult to maintain. The fibers are a magnet for dirt, dust and animal hair.
When it comes to carpets, it’s always better to keep them low maintenance. I recommend flat weave carpets instead. They offer a sleek and modern look that can add the perfect touch of sophistication to any room without much effort.
Buying expensive decorative items that have no meaning or unique beauty simply shows a lack of judgment and taste.
Mass-produced knick-knacks can be boring. Alena Ozerova/Shutterstock
Mass-produced, unimaginative decorations often used in home staging of properties will look boring and lifeless in your actual home.
Generic decorations may seem like a safe choice, but they can look unremarkable at best and trite at worst. This includes things like knick-knacks, jewelry, and decorative items that have no real meaning or purpose.
If you buy items that don’t serve a purpose or speak to you personally, you’re simply spending money on things that will end up gathering dust. Opt for interesting pieces that feel unique, spark conversation, or have personal meaning.
Your home should be a reflection of your personality, not a copy of a real estate brochure, so don’t be afraid to show a little personality.
Dark wood floors are beautiful and incredibly difficult to maintain.
Dust and stains may appear on dark floors. Anna Andersson Photography/Shutterstock
Dark floors look absolutely amazing on camera…with heavy retouching!
Don’t be fooled by what you see online. In real life, dark floors can be a nightmare to maintain as lint, scratches and other imperfections become visible.
In every home I’ve ever renovated with dark floors, no matter how many times we cleaned them, we could always find some unidentified particle taking up space. It’s as if the floors were conspiring against us, providing the perfect backdrop for the lint, pet hair, and dust flying around the room.
Of course, that’s not to say that dark floors are never a good option. However, it’s important to keep in mind the potential downsides, including the need for more frequent cleaning and maintenance.
If you want dark floors, you’ll have to put in the effort to make them look as good as possible, and if you can’t afford that, consider a lighter floor.
I find cloud style sofas to be overpriced and overused.
The cushions are comfortable but may not last long. Shcherban Oleksandr/Shutterstock
Fluffy cloud-style sofas have taken social media by storm in recent years with their irresistibly plush and cozy look.
These fluffy, soft sofas look like the perfect place to sink into and relax after a long day, but in reality, I think they lack proper support. Plus, they don’t always hold their shape – down-filled cushions can compress if you sit on them for too long.
Behind every cloud-style sofa featured on social media, there’s probably an influencer lifting up the surprisingly heavy cushions and shaking them out to get them back into shape just before pressing record.
When investing in a quality sofa, look for something that is more likely to last. I recommend cushions with high-resilience foam instead.
White outdoor cushions look clean and fresh… for about a day.
You should avoid white fabrics for garden furniture. Arina P Habich/Shutterstock
White outdoor pillows are a popular choice because of their timeless and elegant look. But as any homeowner with white pillows can attest, the reality of owning them is far from ideal.
It doesn’t take long for white pillows to start looking dingy and unsightly, especially if they aren’t cleaned regularly. Speaking of cleaning, white pillows are also notoriously difficult to wash, especially if they’re made of materials like canvas or cotton, where stains can penetrate deep.
Even if you keep them carefully clean, it’s only a matter of time before they start to look worn. If you’re looking for a cushion that’s both practical and stylish, I recommend opting for a subtle pattern to hide imperfections or a dark grey fabric.
Your grandmother may love your over-the-top sofa cushions, but I don’t.
Decorative pillows can look overloaded. BCFC/Shutterstock
