TL;DR
Get furniture and decor delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
A House Beautiful report lists 13 home features that designers said they would not choose for their own spaces, including zellige tile, waterfall islands and freestanding tubs. Their concerns include maintenance, installation difficulty, cost, durability and practical trade-offs; the advice reflects their 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 avoid in their own spaces, pointing to upkeep, installation challenges, cost and everyday practicality. The report offers readers a set of professional opinions to weigh before spending on renovations or furnishings, rather than evidence that the features are universally poor choices.
The designers’ objections vary by feature. Jamie Chappell of Fireclay Tile said zellige tile can be difficult to install because handmade pieces vary in size and thickness. Chappell also said the surface can chip, craze and stain, and needs regular sealing. She raised similar maintenance concerns about cement tile, describing it as porous and susceptible to stains and etching from substances such as lemon juice or tomato sauce. It is also heavy and labor-intensive to install, she said.
Kitchen features drew several practical cautions. Yvonne Harty of Harty Interiors said waterfall islands can limit storage and seating, add cost and leave corners vulnerable to chips. Brieanna Cunningham of C&C Partners also cited limited storage and outlet-placement options. Harty suggested considering a furniture-style island instead. Cunningham said a desired stone slab could be used as a backsplash. Cunningham also cautioned that whole-home smart systems can be expensive and may have problems when Wi-Fi, software updates or system components fail.
Other entries concern household routines and product lifespan. Designer Jessica Alpert said white linen furniture is difficult to keep clean, particularly in homes with children or pets, and said built-in coffee makers require frequent maintenance and cleaning. Cara Shahbandi of Stanton Home Design advised against low-quality, disposable furniture, recommending that buyers save for pieces intended to last. Harty said freestanding tubs need adequate space and can be difficult to clean behind; she suggested an alcove or deck-mounted tub as alternatives. The source also names limewashing an entire home, but the supplied material does not include a designer’s explanation for that choice.
The Trade-Offs Behind Showpiece Features
The list is relevant to homeowners because renovation decisions involve more than appearance: installation, cleaning, repairs and daily use can add costs or inconvenience after a project is complete. The designers’ examples highlight questions worth asking before committing, such as whether a material needs repeated sealing, whether a feature reduces useful storage, and whether a household can manage its upkeep.
These are expert opinions, not a consumer study or a blanket rule. A material or fixture that is impractical for one household may suit another, depending on budget, room size, habits and priorities. The report’s value is in identifying possible trade-offs for buyers to investigate rather than deciding for them.
Products Worth Considering
Coway Mighty AP-1512HH(W) Air Purifier, White
Dyson Airwrap i.d. Multi-Styler for Straight and Wavy Hair
Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) Portable Bluetooth Speaker
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Why Designers Question These Choices
The report frames renovation as a costly process in which choices can create ongoing obligations, not just an immediate purchase price. It also points to the rapid turnover of home-design trends, which can make it harder to judge whether a striking feature will remain satisfying over time. The designers cited have experience in their respective areas, but the source presents their views individually rather than as a formal industry consensus.
The supplied report covers eight of the 13 listed features in detail: zellige tile, cement tile, waterfall islands, smart homes, white linen furniture, built-in coffee makers, disposable furniture and freestanding tubs. It names limewashing an entire home as another entry but provides no accompanying rationale in the material supplied here. Details on the remaining features are also absent, so their concerns cannot be described from this source.
“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, on zellige tile
Limits of the Designers’ List
The report does not establish that the listed features are unsuitable for every home, nor does it provide comparative costs, failure rates or maintenance data. Its conclusions are attributed recommendations from individual designers. The supplied source material gives detailed explanations for only eight entries and does not identify the other features or explain why designers would avoid them. It also does not provide the article’s publication date.
Questions to Ask Before Renovating
The report identifies no scheduled follow-up or formal response from manufacturers. For readers planning a project, the practical next step is to ask contractors and suppliers about installation requirements, sealing and cleaning schedules, repair options, expected lifespan and total cost. Homeowners can also compare alternatives suited to their room size and daily routines, then check product-specific guidance before making a purchase.
Key Questions
Which home features are discussed in detail?
The supplied report material gives details on 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, without providing the designer’s reasoning in the material provided.
Why do the designers object to zellige tile?
Jamie Chappell of Fireclay Tile said handmade pieces can vary in thickness and size, complicating installation. She also said the tile can chip, craze and stain and requires regular sealing.
Are waterfall islands always impractical?
The report does not say they are impractical for every kitchen. Yvonne Harty and Brieanna Cunningham cited possible drawbacks, including less storage, fewer seating options, outlet limitations and added cost. The suitability depends on the kitchen and the homeowner’s priorities.
What does the report say about smart-home systems?
Brieanna Cunningham said smart-home packages can be costly and may experience malfunctions, Wi-Fi interruptions or software-update glitches. Her comments are one designer’s assessment, not a measured reliability comparison across systems.
Does the article prove these features are bad investments?
No. The source presents designers’ opinions and cautions; it does not offer cost comparisons or research proving that the features are poor investments for all homeowners.
Source: housebeautiful.com
