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A House Beautiful report asked interior designers to name 13 home features they would not choose for their own spaces. Their objections center on maintenance, installation, durability, cost and everyday usability; the recommendations reflect individual professional opinions, not a universal assessment of each feature.
House Beautiful has published a list of 13 home features that interior designers said they would not put in their own spaces, pointing to upkeep, installation challenges, cost and practical limitations. The roundup is advice from a handful of professionals, not a finding that the features are unsuitable for every home.
The supplied report details concerns about zellige and cement tile, both of which can require careful installation and ongoing care. Jamie Chappell of Fireclay Tile said handmade zellige pieces vary in size and thickness, making installation slower and more difficult. She also said the surface can chip, craze and stain, and needs regular sealing. Cement tile, she said, is porous, can stain or etch, and is heavy and labor-intensive to install.
Designers also questioned the practicality of waterfall islands and whole-home smart systems. Yvonne Harty of Harty Interiors said waterfall counters can reduce storage and seating, add cost and leave corners vulnerable to chips. Brieanna Cunningham of C&C Partners added that the design can limit storage and outlet placement. On smart-home packages, Cunningham cited malfunctions, Wi-Fi interruptions and software-update glitches, saying systems may not operate as smoothly as expected.
Other features discussed include white linen furniture, built-in coffee makers and disposable furniture. Jessica Alpert said white linen is difficult to keep clean, particularly in households with children or pets, and that built-in coffee machines require regular cleaning and maintenance. Cara Shahbandi of Stanton Home Design advised buyers to save for better-quality furniture intended to last longer. The source also names freestanding tubs and limewashing an entire home among the 13 choices, but the supplied excerpt does not include the report’s full discussion of those or all remaining items.
The Cost of Looks and Upkeep
The designers’ comments highlight a practical consideration in renovation decisions: the purchase price is only part of the cost. Installation, cleaning, repairs and limitations on storage or daily use can affect whether a feature remains worthwhile after its initial visual appeal. That matters because renovations often involve substantial spending and choices that are difficult or expensive to reverse.
The report also addresses the speed at which home trends circulate. A feature that looks appealing in marketing or photographs may not suit a household’s routines, budget or tolerance for maintenance. The advice is not that readers should categorically avoid these designs; rather, it gives them questions to raise with designers and contractors before committing.
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How the Designers Weighed Choices
House Beautiful frames the roundup around the tension between appearance, convenience and long-term value. It says it consulted designers with experience observing styles come and go, and presents their choices as personal judgments about what they would not use in their own homes.
The reasons vary by feature. Some are about material performance, such as tile that may stain or chip; others concern layout, like an island that restricts seating, or ongoing reliance on connected systems. The source’s discussion therefore combines design preferences with practical cautions, rather than reporting a formal survey or technical comparison of products.
“Because each piece is handmade, there’s a lot of variation in size and thickness, making installation slow and tricky.”
— Jamie Chappell, Fireclay Tile
Limits of the Recommendations
The roundup presents individual designers’ opinions; the supplied material does not provide a survey sample, comparative cost data or independent testing of the features. Performance can vary with product quality, installation, household needs and maintenance. The source excerpt also ends partway through the list, so it does not identify or explain every one of the 13 features in the headline.
It is also unclear from the supplied report how much specific installation or maintenance costs vary by location, material and contractor. Readers should treat the comments as prompts for further research, not as a substitute for product guidance or advice tailored to their home.
Questions to Ask Before Renovating
Before selecting a feature, homeowners can ask a designer or installer about upfront costs, maintenance schedules, repair options and everyday trade-offs. For tile, that includes sealing and installation requirements; for a waterfall island, it includes seating, storage and outlet placement; for smart systems, it includes reliability, support and what happens if connectivity fails.
The source does not announce a follow-up or a next publication date. The immediate next step for readers considering these designs is to compare the appeal with the demands of their own household and get project-specific estimates before work begins.
Key Questions
Which home features are discussed in the supplied report?
The excerpt discusses zellige tile, cement tile, waterfall islands, smart-home systems, white linen furniture, built-in coffee makers, disposable furniture and freestanding tubs. It also names limewashing an entire home, but does not include its explanation or all other entries in the 13-item list.
Why did a designer caution against zellige tile?
Jamie Chappell of Fireclay Tile said handmade pieces can vary in size and thickness, complicating installation. She also cited chipping, crazing, staining and the need for regular sealing.
Are the designers saying homeowners should never use these features?
No. The report records what the interviewed designers said they would avoid in their own homes. Their comments are opinions and practical cautions, not a blanket rule for every project.
What should homeowners check before choosing one?
Ask about installation and upkeep costs, durability, cleaning, repair needs and effects on daily use. The relevant questions depend on the feature and the household.
Source: housebeautiful.com
