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A House Beautiful report lists 13 home design choices its interviewed designers said they would not put in their own spaces. Their concerns include difficult upkeep, installation costs, limited function and concerns about durability; the recommendations are personal judgments, not a universal assessment of each feature.
House Beautiful has published a list of 13 home features that interviewed designers said they would not choose for their own spaces, citing upkeep, installation demands, cost or limited practicality. The roundup offers readers a set of expert opinions to weigh before spending on renovation and furnishing choices, but it does not establish that every feature is unsuitable for every home.
The eight features detailed in the supplied report are zellige tile, cement tile, waterfall islands, smart-home packages, white linen furniture, built-in coffee makers, disposable furniture and freestanding tubs. The article says the designers’ concerns range from regular sealing and cleaning to installation difficulty, lost storage and furniture that may not last. The supplied source mentions 13 choices, but does not include the full list of all 13.
Jamie Chappell of Fireclay Tile describes handmade zellige as difficult to install because pieces vary in size and thickness; she also says the surface can chip, craze or stain and needs regular sealing. Chappell raises similar maintenance concerns about cement tile, which she says is porous, can stain or etch, and is heavy and labor-intensive to install. She also flags the water and energy used in making cement tiles as a sustainability concern.
For kitchen islands, Yvonne Harty of Harty Interiors says waterfall countertops can reduce storage and seating, add cost and leave corners vulnerable to chips. Brieanna Cunningham of C&C Partners also points to limited storage and outlet placement. Other concerns in the report include smart-home systems that can be affected by Wi-Fi or software problems, white linen that is difficult to keep clean, and built-in coffee makers that require ongoing maintenance. Harty says a freestanding tub may be awkward in a small bathroom, particularly when there is little room to clean behind it.
Costs and upkeep behind the look
The roundup focuses on a common renovation trade-off: a feature can look appealing while demanding more money, labor or maintenance than a homeowner expects. That matters because some decisions, such as tile, cabinetry or plumbing fixtures, are costly to change after installation. For readers comparing design ideas, the designers’ comments suggest asking how a feature will work in everyday use, not only how it will look in photographs.
The article is not a cost study, product test or building-industry survey. Its recommendations reflect the views of the designers quoted, and the drawbacks may depend on the room, household, installation quality and willingness to maintain the feature. A waterfall island or freestanding tub, for example, may still suit a spacious home with different priorities. The reporting is most useful as a checklist of questions, rather than a categorical ban on particular materials or designs.
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Design appeal versus daily use
The source frames its advice against the expense of renovation and the fast turnover of home-design trends. It notes that choices can range from a full renovation to a smaller refresh, and argues that homeowners should weigh long-term function and upkeep alongside immediate appearance. The designers interviewed have experience with features that gain and lose popularity, but the source does not provide a research method or broader industry data.
Some suggestions are alternatives rather than outright rejections. Harty recommends a furniture-style island for added versatility, while Cunningham suggests using a striking stone slab as a backsplash. For a bathroom, Harty says an alcove or deck-mounted tub can offer an elegant option that may be easier to use and clean. The report’s broader point is to match a feature to the home’s size and the household’s habits.
“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
Scope of the designers’ advice
The supplied report names 13 features in its headline, but the source text provided here contains details for only eight. The identities and reasoning for the other five are not available in the supplied material, so they cannot be reported here. The source also does not provide a publication date, survey details, or data comparing the costs and upkeep of the listed features with alternatives.
It is also unclear how broadly the designers’ views apply. The article presents individual opinions, not a consensus across the design profession, and it does not specify the homes or project budgets behind each assessment. Maintenance, installation and practicality can vary with product choices, room dimensions and household needs.
Questions to ask before renovating
The report does not announce a follow-up study or a next milestone. For homeowners considering similar features, the practical next step is to ask contractors and designers for installation requirements, care instructions, repair options and a full cost estimate before committing. Those details can help show whether the look fits the room and the amount of upkeep a household is prepared to take on.
Readers should also check product-specific guidance rather than assuming every material with the same name performs alike. The House Beautiful roundup provides cautions to investigate; it does not settle whether a feature is right for a particular home.
Key Questions
What is the report about?
House Beautiful’s roundup presents 13 home features that interviewed designers said they would not put in their own spaces. The supplied source text gives details for eight of them.
Which features are covered in the supplied material?
The supplied text discusses zellige tile, cement tile, waterfall islands, smart-home packages, white linen furniture, built-in coffee makers, disposable furniture and freestanding tubs.
Are the designers saying these features should never be used?
No. The report presents individual designers’ preferences and concerns, not a universal rule. A feature’s suitability can depend on a home’s layout, the household’s needs and its tolerance for maintenance.
What should homeowners check before choosing one?
Ask about upfront and installation costs, ongoing care, likely repairs and practical fit for the space. For materials such as tile, request product-specific maintenance guidance before deciding.
Source: housebeautiful.com
