6 Popular Trends Designers Say They’d Never Use in Their Own Homes

Maybe you’ve always imagined decorating your space with soft neutral colors, and winding down from a busy day in your very own freestanding soaking tub (versus an open shower). Wouldn’t any top interior designer want the same? Not necessarily.

Certain home trends might appeal to the masses, but they’re considered misses by the pros — and they’d simply never put them into their own spaces. Here, six interior designers reveal what design elements just don’t do it for them and why. You might be surprised by how popular some of these things actually are, but trust that designers have their reasons.

Matching Furniture Sets

Designers have strong feelings when it comes to matching furniture sets, which you typically see most often in bedrooms but can also be in living rooms and dining rooms. To be clear, most pros are against this aesthetic. “While convenient, it can make a space feel flat and overly staged — lacking personality,” says designer Meg Spellman. 

Instead, Spellman prefers the spaces she creates to tell a story, all the way down to mismatched nightstands and end tables. “I prefer to mix materials, finishes, and silhouettes to give a room a more layered, collected-over-time look that feels personal and intentional,” she says.

Fast Furniture

If you’re in a pinch to get a room decorated quickly, fast furniture can seem tempting. It’s generally quick to ship and affordable. However, fast furniture is something designers avoid in their own homes, based on seeing pieces in person and knowing from past projects how poorly it can hold up. 

“I totally understand the appeal of inexpensive, trendy furniture, but I’ve learned (the hard way) that it usually doesn’t age well,” says designer Mina Lisanin. She and her clients have had better luck saving up for quality items while weaving in vintage, lower-priced pieces as she can find them. “It’s better for the planet and your wallet long-term,” she notes.

 Instagram-Centric Design

It’s a great feeling to post a photo of your home on social media and watch it rack up dozens — if not hundreds — of likes. But ultimately, your space should reflect your true style and not whatever is trending at the moment.

The concept of “designing for Instagram rather than real life” is something designer Jordan Vaughn, the co-founder of Alayna Louise Interiors, doesn’t embrace in her own space. “I gravitate toward time-honored materials, heirloom silhouettes, and historical references, but I love weaving them into spaces that feel emotionally alive and deeply personal,” she says. “Design should whisper stories — not shout trends.”

All-Neutral Spaces

Speaking of social media, it’s become far too common to open your app of choice and be greeted with an all-neutral interior. Designer Kate McElhiney, the founder of Kate McElhiney Studio, is in no hurry to embrace this aesthetic. 

“I much prefer homes with color and character, and that reflect the personality of the homeowners,” says McElhiney. “The textures that books, art, and varying fabrics provide make a home feel so much richer to me!”

White Bouclé Fabric

White bouclé is, well, everywhere. But designer Ksenya Malina, the founder of Time & Place Interiors, has come to notice far too many synthetic dupes of the material. For that reason, she’d rather go in a different direction with her own furniture. 

“Textured wool is always classy,” she says. “But a more nuanced look can be found in soft and durable mohair, tweed weaves, or even in a bouclé of a different color other than the now commonplace off-white,” she says.

Freestanding Bathtubs

Freestanding bathtubs may seem like a luxe, wish-list item to many, but designer Madelaine Mayer, the founder of AD: ROIT, isn’t sold on them. “While they possess sculptural beauty, from a practical standpoint I do not understand the appeal,” she says. “Unless you surround the tub with various accessories for towels and toiletries (in addition to the plumbing) — which negates the free-standing composition — how are they actually used?” 

Essentially, that clawfoot soaker is going to become a mess of plumbing, shelving, and other supporting accoutrements for it to truly be functional and comfortable. Moreover, these tubs can also be difficult to get in and out of due to their lack of ledges and adjacent walls, says Mayer. This alone makes them unsuitable for many.

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