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A House Beautiful report asked interior designers about home features they would not choose for their own spaces. Their examples include handmade and cement tiles, waterfall islands, extensive smart-home systems, white linen furniture and freestanding tubs; the concerns cited include maintenance, installation, cost and everyday usability.
House Beautiful has published a report listing 13 home features that interior designers said they would not choose for their own spaces, pointing to practical concerns such as maintenance, installation, cost and durability. The examples range from zellige tile and waterfall islands to smart-home packages and freestanding tubs, offering renovation readers a set of expert opinions rather than a universal verdict on what homeowners should buy.
Several of the designers’ objections center on surfaces that require regular care. Jamie Chappell of Fireclay Tile said handmade zellige pieces vary in size and thickness, which can make installation slow and difficult. Chappell also said the tile can chip, craze or stain and needs regular sealing. Cement tile presents a different maintenance concern: Chappell described it as porous and vulnerable to staining and etching from substances such as lemon juice or tomato sauce. She also cited its weight and labor-intensive installation.
Other cautions involve how a feature affects daily use. Yvonne Harty of Harty Interiors said waterfall islands can reduce storage and seating, add cost and leave stone corners vulnerable to chips. Brieanna Cunningham of C&C Partners also pointed to limited storage and outlet placement. Harty suggested a furniture-style island as an alternative. For bathrooms, she cautioned that freestanding tubs need open space around them; in a tight layout, cleaning behind one can be difficult.
The report also includes white linen furniture, built-in coffee makers and low-quality “disposable” furniture. Designer Jessica Alpert said white linen is hard to keep clean, especially in homes with children or pets, and that built-in coffee machines need ongoing cleaning and maintenance. Cara Shahbandi of Stanton Home Design urged readers to save for furniture built to last rather than rely on inexpensive pieces promoted in ads. The supplied report names 13 features, but its provided text gives detailed discussion of only eight; it also begins a section on limewashing an entire home without including the explanation.
Renovation Choices Beyond Appearance
The designers’ comments highlight a decision homeowners face before spending on a renovation: a feature’s visual appeal is only one part of its value. Installation complexity, cleaning demands, repair risks and lost storage or seating can affect how a room works after the initial makeover. Those trade-offs matter particularly when a choice is expensive or difficult to reverse.
The report does not establish that these features are always poor investments. It presents individual professional opinions, and suitability depends on a home’s layout, budget, household and tolerance for maintenance. For readers planning work, the useful takeaway is to ask about ongoing care, installation requirements and everyday function alongside appearance, and to compare alternatives before committing.
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The Designers’ Practical Concerns
The report frames its list against the expense and long-term nature of home renovation decisions. Its designers argue that a striking look or a promise of convenience may not make a feature worthwhile if it creates recurring upkeep or compromises how a space functions. The discussion covers both finishes, such as tile, and fixtures or furnishings, from tubs to coffee machines.
Not all concerns are the same. Tile comments focus on sealing, staining and the demands of installation; the island and tub comments focus on layout and usability. The smart-home criticism centers on systems that may cost more than their performance warrants, according to Cunningham, who cited malfunctions, Wi-Fi interruptions and update glitches. These are reported designer assessments, not measured comparisons of products or a survey of homeowners.
“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 Published List
The supplied source text does not include the full explanations for all 13 features: it details eight and starts a section on limewashing an entire home, but the remainder is missing. The complete set of 13 items and the designers’ reasoning for the other entries cannot be verified from the material provided. It also does not give a publication date, product comparisons, installation-cost estimates or evidence that the designers’ views represent a broader industry consensus.
Several judgments depend on circumstances. A freestanding tub may work in a spacious bathroom, and light-colored furniture may suit households prepared to maintain it. The source does not specify which smart-home systems or products were assessed, or quantify how often they malfunction. Its comments should be read as expert opinions and reported trade-offs, not a finding that every example will cause problems.
Check the Full List Before Planning
Readers considering these features can compare the full House Beautiful article with their own plans, then ask designers or installers about care routines, repair risks, layout constraints and total costs. The source provides no announced follow-up, new study or scheduled update. Until the complete list is available, the remaining entries and their explanations are not confirmed in the supplied material.
Key Questions
Which home features are discussed in the supplied report?
The supplied text discusses zellige tile, cement tile, waterfall islands, smart-home systems, white linen furniture, built-in coffee makers, disposable furniture and freestanding tubs. It also begins a section on limewashing an entire home, but does not provide the explanation. Although the headline says there are 13 features, the provided material does not detail all 13.
Why did designers raise concerns about zellige tile?
Jamie Chappell of Fireclay Tile said handmade pieces can vary in size and thickness, making installation slower and more difficult. She also cited chipping, crazing, staining and regular sealing as upkeep concerns.
Are the designers saying homeowners should never use these features?
No. The report presents the designers’ personal preferences and practical concerns, not a blanket prohibition. Whether a feature makes sense depends on the room, budget, household and willingness to maintain it.
What alternatives did the designers suggest?
Harty suggested a furniture-style kitchen island instead of a waterfall design and said an alcove or deck-mounted tub may be more practical than a freestanding tub in a constrained bathroom. Alpert suggested considering a separate coffee bar and espresso machine rather than a built-in coffee maker.
Source: housebeautiful.com
