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House Beautiful reports that interior designers flagged 13 home features they would not choose for their own spaces, including zellige tile, waterfall islands and freestanding tubs. Their reasons include difficult upkeep, installation costs, limited functionality and concerns about durability; these are expert opinions, not universal rules.
House Beautiful has published a list of 13 home features that interviewed interior designers say they would not put in their own spaces, citing maintenance demands, installation challenges, cost and limited everyday usefulness. The advice covers choices ranging from handmade tile and waterfall islands to smart-home packages and freestanding tubs, but reflects the designers’ views rather than a general assessment of every product or home.
Tile expert Jamie Chappell of Fireclay Tile cautions against zellige and cement tile for homeowners who do not want regular upkeep. She says handmade zellige varies in size and thickness, which can slow installation, and that its surface may chip, craze or stain unless sealed regularly. Cement tile, she says, is porous and can stain or etch; it also needs frequent sealing and is heavy and labor-intensive to install. The report adds that cement-tile production can require substantial water and energy. For more ideas on choosing finishes, see designers’ paint color advice.
Several of the other choices raise practical concerns. Yvonne Harty of Harty Interiors says waterfall islands can add expense, restrict storage and seating, and leave stone corners vulnerable to chips. Designer Brieanna Cunningham of C&C Partners also points to limited storage and outlet placement. Cunningham says smart-home systems can cost a lot yet still depend on Wi-Fi and software that may malfunction or have update problems. For kitchen inspiration, browse kitchen finds designers swear by.
The list also includes white linen furniture, which designer Jessica Alpert says can be hard to keep clean, particularly in homes with children or pets; built-in coffee makers, which she says require ongoing cleaning and maintenance; and low-quality “disposable” furniture. Cara Shahbandi of Stanton Home Design recommends saving for better-made pieces rather than buying furniture that may not last. Harty says freestanding tubs need ample room and can be difficult to clean around when placed too close to a wall or corner. For other ways to make underused areas shine, see how to turn tricky spaces into showstoppers.
How Upkeep Changes the Design Choice
The roundup draws attention to costs that can be missed when a feature is judged mainly by its appearance: cleaning, repairs, installation and the space it occupies. A material that needs frequent sealing or a fixture that is awkward to reach may add work after a renovation is finished. A large island or tub can also reduce the room’s practical uses if the layout does not support it.
That matters to homeowners weighing expensive or hard-to-reverse decisions. The designers’ comments offer considerations to discuss with a contractor or designer before committing, but they do not mean every listed feature is a poor choice. Household habits, room size, budget and willingness to maintain a material can change whether a feature makes sense.
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The 13 Choices in the Roundup
The article frames its recommendations around the tension between a feature’s visual appeal and its long-term demands. It names zellige tile, cement tile, waterfall islands, smart-home systems, white linen furniture, built-in coffee makers and disposable furniture among the choices designers would avoid or approach cautiously. It also discusses freestanding tubs and limewashing an entire home.
The supplied source excerpt ends during its section on limewashing and does not include the full list of 13 features or the accompanying explanations for all of them. The available material also does not provide a testing process, cost estimates or comparative performance data. The reported advice should be read as individual professional opinion, not as a product review or formal industry standard.
“Because each piece is handmade, there’s a lot of variation in size and thickness, making installation slow and tricky.”
— Jamie Chappell, Fireclay Tile
What the Source Does Not Establish
The available source material does not show the full set of 13 features: it cuts off during the limewashing discussion, so the remaining items and their supporting comments cannot be confirmed here. It also does not give the article’s publication date, survey details or data comparing the features’ costs, maintenance needs or lifespan.
The designers’ comments are attributed opinions and are not presented as findings from a systematic study. Actual results can vary by product, installation, room layout and household use. The source does not establish that these features are inherently unsuitable for all homes.
Check Fit Before Renovating
Homeowners considering any of these features can ask designers and installers about upfront and ongoing costs, cleaning requirements, repair options and suitability for the room. For tile, that includes asking how often sealing is needed and what installation entails; for tubs or islands, it means checking clearances, access and storage before finalizing a plan.
The supplied report does not identify a next event or further research. Readers seeking the complete list should consult the full House Beautiful article, since the excerpt provided here does not include all 13 entries.
Key Questions
What is the report about?
House Beautiful reports on 13 home features that interviewed designers say they would not choose for their own spaces, with concerns including upkeep, cost and practicality.
Which features are discussed in the available source?
The excerpt discusses zellige tile, cement tile, waterfall islands, smart-home systems, white linen furniture, built-in coffee makers, disposable furniture, freestanding tubs and limewashing an entire home. It cuts off before all 13 entries are shown.
Are the designers saying these features never work?
No. The source presents individual designers’ preferences and concerns, not a finding that the features are unsuitable in every home. Room size, product quality, budget and maintenance habits can affect the decision.
Why do the designers raise concerns about tile?
Jamie Chappell says zellige’s handmade variation can complicate installation and that the tile needs regular sealing. She says cement tile is porous, can stain or etch, and is heavy and labor-intensive to install.
Does the source include the full list of 13?
No. The supplied excerpt ends during the section about limewashing an entire home, and does not show the remaining entries or their explanations.
Source: housebeautiful.com
