12 home purchases you'll probably regret in a few years, according to interior designers

From low couches and round windows to barn doors and gray flooring, there are currently some popular home purchases that may not age well.

Business Feb 29, 2024 0 Add to Reading List

12 home purchases you'll probably regret in a few years, according to interior designers

modern style dining room with wooden table and gray fabric chairs with rounded low backs with bookshelves in background — Certain design style and decor features aren't very practical.
Ground Picture/Shutterstock

Business Insider asked interior designers about home purchases people might regret in a few years.
The experts said to rethink white appliances, faux-leather couches, and sliding barn doors.
They also encouraged people to avoid installing round windows or entertainment centers.

Low couches may be aesthetically pleasing, but they aren't always practical.

red x and arrow pointing at a low black couch in an industrial style living room — Low couches aesthetically fit in many industrial-style living rooms.
jafara/Shutterstock

Sarah Bowen, interior designer and founder of Spruce Up, told Business Insider that going all in on industrial style may cause regrets down the road.

"Low couches are an undeniably bad interior choice many who opt for the industrial style fall for," she said. "Yes, the low couches look cool, but they're not typically comfy or practical."

Shabby-chic furniture can easily make a space look cluttered.

red x over a shabby chic living room — Shabby-chic design has increased in popularity over the years.
SoNelly/Shutterstock

Although it's "a romantic, feminine style" that brings comfort and uniqueness to many spaces, Bowen said, too many shabby-chic purchases can lead to regret.

"It's easy to go overboard with this style choice, adding more and more weathered, vintage pieces until your space is brimming with oldies-but-goodies," the designer said. "This is generally a decision people quickly regret, as they end up with limited workable space in their homes."

White appliances aren't as timeless as other options.

red x and arrow pointing at a white oven in a white minimal kitchen — White is also hard to keep clean.
Ground Picture/Shutterstock

Eddie Rider, luxury designer at Eddie Rider Designs, said white appliances aren't worth splurging on.

"White appliances are definitely a trend and not nearly as timeless as stainless steel or matching/blending cabinet panels," he said. "Often the cabinets and the appliances do not match the white tones, and it throws the whole vibe off."

Instead, the designer suggested matching the trim in your kitchen to any white cabinets.

You might want to rethink installing gray-toned wood flooring.

red x and arrow pointing at gray flooring in a minimal bathroom with a tub — Flooring is expensive, so make sure to really think through your options the first time.
John Keeble/Getty Images

Paige Garland, interior designer and owner of Paige Garland Interiors, cautions against gray-toned wood flooring — especially since it's expensive to replace if you regret it in a few years.

"Gray-toned wood flooring is unnatural and clashes so hard," she told BI. "I think a big mistake people make is knowing they want cool tones and going all the way with that cool-toned everything — you still want pops of warmth here and there whether you know it or not."

Faux-leather sectionals and sofas quickly lose their polished look.

red x and arrow pointing at a faux brown leather couch in a living room with wooden details — Faux leather wears and fades pretty easily.
Iglenas/Shutterstock

Luxury interior designer Lesley Myrick said people often believe faux leather is a good alternative to genuine leather. But when it comes to couches, this isn't the case.

"It just isn't the right material for sofas and sectionals. It may look good for a year or two but will eventually begin to deteriorate by cracking, flaking off, or both," she said.

Instead, opt for a real leather sofa or a different material that's easier to maintain and clean.

Viscose may not be the best material for a rug.

red x over blue patterned viscose rug on a floor with furniture on top in the corner — Viscose is a semi-synthetic material that's often used as an alternative to silk.
Design gallery01/Shutterstock

According to Joe Human, interior designer of Designs By Human, you might want to steer clear of viscose rugs.

"Viscose rugs are super soft and have a lovely sheen but are very easily ruined when used in the wrong application," he said.

There might be a safe spot for the material in a low-traffic bedroom, but light-colored viscose rugs in a living room are a recipe for disaster.

"Any spill will turn them yellow," the designer added. "Instead, splurge for a real wool rug or, if you can, silk."

Sliding barn doors are a fading fad.

Devin Shaffer, lead interior designer at Decorilla Online Interior Design, said sliding barn doors are merely a trend.

"Requests for overhauling modern-farmhouse decor have become a daily thing," he told BI. "From the very beginning, I knew that the Joanna Gaines aesthetic was a fad. Let's face it: Interior-design TV shows are the fast fashion of interior design."

Before paying upwards of $1,000 each for rustic barn doors, the designer said to consider the fact that they likely won't do a great job blocking sound. They may not be functional for your home in the long run.

You might want to rethink installing large entertainment centers.

red x and arrow pointing at a large wooden entertainment center with a flat screen tv in a home theater — Built-in entertainment centers are very costly.
pics721/Shutterstock

Entertainment centers with built-ins can help house all of your electronics, but Shaffer said there are much more flexible options.

"I'm very surprised entertainment centers are still on the market and could never imagine living with such a monstrosity," the designer told BI.

Not investing in large, built-in furniture makes future moves easier and allows you to rearrange your space for the latest technology, like TV projectors.

Don't fall for the faux-flooring trend — replacing it can be costly.

red x over wood like pvc flooring stickers in living room — Sticker tiles or PVC flooring might end up costing you in the future.
Luckeyman/Shutterstock

Elle Cole of Elle Cole Interiors recommended avoiding faux flooring even if it seems like a cost-friendly option.

"Material that looks like wood or cement tile (sticker tile) isn't going to finish out well. It's better to get real wood or tile and enjoy your floor for years to come instead of a season," she said. "Flooring is a great expense, so do it well the first time."

Rounded windows aren't always worth the effort.

red x and arrow pointing at a round window in a white bathroom — Round windows can be a pretty design element, but they're usually complicated.
Ground Picture/Shutterstock

Michal Rubin, owner and principal designer at MR Interiors, said most clients end up regretting rounded windows, even if they add character to a space.

"They lack practicality mainly because of their unique shape," she said. "Finding window treatments is less than easy. Clients often spend tons of money on custom treatments just to cover the window for the privacy they need."

Skip purchasing low-back dining chairs.

red x and arrow over photo of modern style dining room with wooden table and gray fabric chairs with rounded low backs with bookshelves in background — Pick a more comfortable chair for your dining room.
Ground Picture/Shutterstock

Many people opt for low-back dining chairs for a modern look, but Rubin recommended choosing something else.

"Low-back dining chairs are desirable because they look 'less bulky' and can appear more modern. But I can guarantee this choice is a regrettable one," the designer said. "They are usually uncomfortable, and if you're hosting, guests will prefer a seat back that can hold."

Bouclé-covered anything is worth reconsidering.

red x and arrow pointing at a boucle chair in a modern living room — The textured fabric can be hard to clean.
Followtheflow/Shutterstock

Kelly Hayes, owner and principal designer at Carriage House Studio, told BI that even though bouclé is a trendy fabric now, it'll likely go the way of early-2000s chevron print in a few years.

"While bouclé currently covers every available surface from sofas to dining chairs, the actual application in real-life situations with pets and kids and repeated use means this fabric will look a lot more like the Velveteen rabbit than the Coco Chanel skirt suit we aspire to own," she said.

This story was originally published in April 2023 and most recently updated on February 29, 2024.

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