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A House Beautiful report asked interior design professionals to name home features they would not choose for their own spaces. Their cited concerns include maintenance, installation complexity, cost and limited everyday usefulness; the recommendations are expert opinions, not a formal study.
House Beautiful has published a roundup of 13 home features that designers said they would not put in their own spaces, pointing to concerns such as maintenance, installation difficulty, expense and practical limits. The advice offers renovation-minded readers expert perspectives on trade-offs behind popular choices, but reflects the views of the designers interviewed rather than a survey of the industry.
The report covers a mix of finishes, furnishings and built-in amenities. Jamie Chappell of Fireclay Tile says zellige tile can be difficult to install because handmade pieces vary in size and thickness; she also says the surface can chip, craze and stain, and requires regular sealing. Chappell raises similar upkeep concerns about cement tile, describing it as porous and prone to staining or etching. She also notes its weight and labor-intensive installation.
Designers cited space and usability concerns with waterfall islands. Yvonne Harty says the countertop style can reduce storage and seating, add cost and leave corners vulnerable to chips. Brieanna Cunningham adds that storage and outlet placement can be limited. Cunningham also cautions that smart-home systems may be costly and can be affected by Wi-Fi interruptions, malfunctions or software updates.
Other features flagged in the article include white linen furniture, which Jessica Alpert says can be difficult to keep clean, especially in homes with children or pets, and built-in coffee makers, which she says require ongoing cleaning and maintenance. Cara Shahbandi advises against low-quality “disposable” furniture, recommending saving for pieces intended to last. Harty says freestanding tubs can be awkward in smaller bathrooms and difficult to clean around when placed too close to a wall. The supplied source material describes eight of the 13 items; it does not provide the remaining five recommendations.
How Design Choices Affect Daily Use
The roundup focuses on a common renovation risk: a feature can look appealing in a photo yet create recurring work, added cost or reduced function after installation. Tile that needs regular sealing, a tub that is hard to clean around, or an island that limits seating can shape daily life long after a trend has faded.
For readers planning a renovation, the designers’ comments are prompts to ask practical questions before committing: What upkeep does the material require? Does the feature fit the room? Are installation and repair costs accounted for? The source does not quantify savings or compare these choices with alternatives, so its value is as expert caution and planning guidance, not a cost-benefit analysis.
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The Trade-Off Behind Popular Features
House Beautiful frames the advice against the expense and permanence of home renovation, noting that decisions can range from a simple refresh to a full gut renovation. It also points to the pace at which home-design trends circulate and argues that choices should be considered for both appearance and functionality over time.
The article does not say every listed feature is unsuitable for every home. Several objections depend on circumstances: a freestanding tub needs enough clearance, while linen furniture may be less practical in a busy household. Harty suggests a furniture-style island as an alternative to a waterfall design, and Cunningham suggests using a desired stone slab as a backsplash. These are the interviewed designers’ recommendations, not universal rules.
“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 Designers’ Advice
The report reflects comments from a handful of designers; the supplied material does not describe a broader survey, technical testing or cost comparisons. It is not clear how many homeowners experience the cited problems or how maintenance costs vary by product, installation and use. Nor does the supplied source text name five of the 13 features announced in the headline, so those items cannot be reported here.
The advice is also conditional. A household’s budget, room dimensions, cleaning habits and preferences can change whether a feature is worthwhile. The report does not establish that the listed choices should be avoided in every renovation.
Questions to Ask Before Renovating
The source material does not announce a follow-up investigation or a next publication date. For readers considering any of these features, the immediate next step is to check installation requirements, sealing or cleaning needs, repair options and total cost with qualified suppliers or contractors before making a decision. Comparing alternatives in the actual room can help reveal whether a design choice will support everyday use.
Key Questions
Which home features are discussed in the supplied report?
The source text discusses zellige tile, cement tile, waterfall islands, smart-home systems, white linen furniture, built-in coffee makers, disposable furniture and freestanding tubs. Although its headline says 13 features, the supplied text does not identify the remaining five.
Why does the report raise concerns about zellige tile?
Jamie Chappell says handmade tiles can vary in size and thickness, making installation slow and difficult. She also says the surface can chip, craze and stain and needs regular sealing.
Are waterfall islands unsuitable for every kitchen?
No. The designers’ concerns include possible loss of storage and seating, higher cost and chipping at the corners. Room layout and the homeowner’s priorities will affect whether those trade-offs matter.
What does the article say about smart-home systems?
Brieanna Cunningham says systems can be expensive and may be disrupted by malfunctions, Wi-Fi problems or software-update glitches. The report presents her assessment; it does not offer a product comparison or reliability data.
Source: housebeautiful.com
