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House Beautiful published a roundup of 13 home features that interior designers said they would not choose for their own spaces. Their concerns include demanding upkeep, installation challenges, high costs and trade-offs in storage or daily use; the opinions are not a universal assessment of every product or home.
House Beautiful has published a roundup of 13 home features that interior designers say they would not put in their own spaces, pointing to concerns including maintenance, installation, cost and practicality. The advice offers readers a way to weigh day-to-day demands alongside appearance before committing to renovation choices, but it reflects the designers’ judgments rather than a measured ranking of products.
Among the examples described in the supplied report are zellige tile and cement tile. Jamie Chappell of Fireclay Tile says zellige’s handmade variation in size and thickness can make installation slow and difficult, while the surface may chip, craze or stain and needs regular sealing. She says cement tile is porous, can stain or etch, requires frequent sealing and is heavy to install. The report also raises concerns about the water and energy used to make cement tile.
Designers cited functional trade-offs for waterfall islands: Yvonne Harty of Harty Interiors says they can limit storage and seating, cost more and leave corners vulnerable to chips. Brieanna Cunningham of C&C Partners also points to limited storage and outlet-placement options. Harty suggests considering a furniture-style island; Cunningham says a stone slab could instead be used as a backsplash.
Other examples in the source include smart-home packages, white linen furniture, built-in coffee makers, disposable furniture and freestanding tubs. Cunningham says smart-home systems can be expensive and may face Wi-Fi interruptions, malfunctions or software-update problems. Jessica Alpert warns that white linen furniture is difficult to keep clean in a busy household and says built-in coffee makers need frequent maintenance. Cara Shahbandi of Stanton Home Design recommends saving for furniture intended to last. Harty says freestanding tubs need ample space and can be hard to clean around. The supplied material also names limewashing an entire home, but does not include the designer’s explanation for that choice.
Upkeep Can Outlast the Trend
The roundup focuses on a decision that can be easy to miss during renovation planning: the ongoing work and compromises attached to a feature after installation. A striking finish or built-in appliance may look appealing in a showroom, while cleaning, sealing, repairs and maintenance can shape its value in everyday use.
That distinction matters because renovations can be costly and some choices are difficult to reverse. The designers’ comments give readers specific questions to raise before buying: how often does a material need care, what happens if a system fails, and will a feature take away storage, seating or usable space? The article does not establish that these features are poor choices for everyone; room size, household needs, budget and tolerance for upkeep can change the calculation.
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Design Appeal Versus Daily Use
The source frames its list against the fast pace of changing home-design trends and the challenge of choosing finishes that will still suit a home years later. It says the listed decisions range from relatively changeable choices to more involved installations. Its central point is to weigh appearance against long-term function, rather than treating a popular look as proof that a feature is worthwhile.
House Beautiful attributes several observations to named designers, including Chappell, Harty, Cunningham, Alpert and Shahbandi. These are professional opinions and practical cautions, not findings from a comparative study. The supplied source excerpt contains details on eight listed features and only names limewashing an entire home; it does not provide the remaining list entries or the full rationale for every item.
“Because each piece is handmade, there’s a lot of variation in size and thickness, making installation slow and tricky.”
— Jamie Chappell of Fireclay Tile, as quoted by House Beautiful
Limits of the Designers’ List
The source presents individual designers’ preferences and explanations, not survey results or a universal guide to what homeowners should avoid. It does not provide price comparisons, product testing or quantified maintenance costs, so readers cannot use the roundup alone to determine which option is cheaper over time. Several concerns may depend on installation quality, household habits and the design of a particular room.
The supplied material also appears incomplete: it promises 13 features but gives detailed information for only eight, with limewashing an entire home named without its accompanying explanation. The remaining entries and their reasoning cannot be confirmed from the material provided.
Questions to Ask Before Renovating
The report does not announce a policy change, product launch or scheduled next event. For homeowners weighing similar choices, the practical next step is to ask designers and installers for care requirements, installation constraints and repair options before finalizing plans. For connected systems, ask how essential functions work if Wi-Fi or software is unavailable; for tile and stone, ask about sealing, staining and chip repairs.
Readers seeking the full set of 13 should consult the complete House Beautiful article, as the supplied excerpt does not include all entries. Any choice should be considered against the home’s layout, budget and daily routines, rather than treated as a blanket rule based on one designer’s preference.
Key Questions
What is the main development in this report?
House Beautiful published a list of 13 home features that designers said they would not choose for their own spaces, citing upkeep, installation, cost or practical limitations.
Which tile types did the designers question?
The source discusses zellige and cement tile. Jamie Chappell says zellige can be difficult to install and maintain, while cement tile can stain or etch, needs regular sealing and is heavy to install.
Why did designers raise concerns about waterfall islands?
Yvonne Harty and Brieanna Cunningham said waterfall islands can reduce storage, seating or outlet options, add cost and leave corners vulnerable to chipping. The article also offers alternatives, including a furniture-style island or using stone as a backsplash.
Are these features bad choices for every home?
No. The article reports designers’ personal judgments, not a universal assessment. Whether a feature suits a home depends on its layout, the household’s needs, the budget and how much upkeep the owners are willing to take on.
Does the supplied report explain all 13 choices?
No. The supplied material gives details for eight features and names limewashing an entire home, but does not include its explanation or the remaining entries. The full list cannot be reconstructed from this excerpt.
Source: housebeautiful.com
