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A House Beautiful report lists 13 home features that interior designers interviewed for the story said they would not choose for their own spaces. Their concerns include maintenance, installation demands, expense and everyday usability; the advice reflects individual professional opinions, not a universal assessment of each feature.
House Beautiful has published a report listing 13 home features that interviewed designers said they would not put in their own spaces, pointing to upkeep, installation challenges, cost and practical drawbacks. The advice is relevant to homeowners weighing renovation choices, but it is based on the experts’ stated preferences rather than a comparative study of performance or value.
Among the features described in the supplied report are zellige and cement tile. Jamie Chappell of Fireclay Tile says zellige’s handmade variation in size and thickness can make installation slow and tricky, while the surface may chip, craze or stain and needs regular sealing. Chappell says cement tile is porous and can stain or etch, requires careful maintenance, and is heavy and labor-intensive to install.
Designers also raise functional concerns about waterfall kitchen islands and whole-home smart systems. Yvonne Harty of Harty Interiors says a waterfall island can limit storage and seating, add cost and leave corners vulnerable to chips. Brieanna Cunningham of C&C Partners points to limited storage and outlet-placement options. On smart-home packages, Cunningham says systems can malfunction, lose connectivity when Wi-Fi fails or encounter problems during updates.
Other entries in the report include white linen furniture, built-in coffee makers, disposable furniture and freestanding tubs. Jessica Alpert says white linen is difficult to keep clean in a busy home and that built-in coffee machines require ongoing cleaning and maintenance. Cara Shahbandi of Stanton Home Design recommends saving for furniture intended to last longer than a year. Harty says freestanding tubs need adequate space and can be difficult to clean behind; the supplied source also names limewashing an entire home among the features, but does not include its explanation or the complete list of 13.
Renovation Choices Carry Long-Term Costs
The report’s practical point is that appearance is only one part of a renovation decision. A material or built-in feature may require specialized installation, regular sealing, cleaning or repairs after the initial purchase. Those ongoing demands can affect the total cost and the amount of usable space in a home.
That matters to homeowners making decisions that can be expensive or difficult to reverse. The designers’ comments offer considerations to weigh—such as household routines, available space and maintenance tolerance—rather than proof that a particular feature is a poor choice for everyone. A waterfall island, for instance, may suit some kitchens, while a freestanding tub may work in a larger bathroom.
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Design Advice Behind the List
House Beautiful frames the report around the expense and permanence of home renovation decisions, from full remodels to smaller updates. It says shifting home trends can make it hard to predict which choices will remain appealing or useful over time, and turns to working interior designers for examples of features they personally would avoid.
The source identifies 13 design decisions, but the supplied material provides detailed descriptions for only eight: 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 without including the accompanying explanation. The remaining entries and the article’s publication date are not included in the source material provided here.
““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 designers’ recommendations are professional opinions reported by House Beautiful; the supplied material does not provide product testing, cost comparisons or evidence that these features consistently underperform. Suitability can depend on a home’s layout, budget, household needs, installation quality and willingness to maintain materials.
The source excerpt also does not include all 13 entries, details for the limewashing item, the report’s publication date or responses from manufacturers and other designers. It is not clear from the supplied material how the experts were selected or whether their views reflect a broader industry consensus.
Check Fit Before Committing
Homeowners considering these features can compare the upfront price with installation and maintenance requirements, and ask contractors or suppliers about cleaning, sealing, repair and replacement. For layout-dependent choices such as islands and tubs, measuring the room and checking storage, access and cleaning space can help clarify whether the feature fits daily use.
No further action or follow-up is announced in the supplied report. The article presents design guidance, not a policy change, product recall or formal industry recommendation.
Key Questions
What is the report about?
House Beautiful asked interior designers about 13 home features they would not choose for their own spaces. The supplied material gives details for some, citing maintenance, cost, installation and practical concerns.
Why does the report criticize zellige tile?
Fireclay Tile’s Jamie Chappell says its handmade variation can make installation slow and difficult. She also says it can chip, craze and stain, and needs regular sealing.
Are waterfall islands always impractical?
No. The report attributes concerns to Yvonne Harty and Brieanna Cunningham, including reduced storage or seating, limited outlet options, added cost and chipping risk. Whether those drawbacks matter depends on the kitchen and the homeowner’s priorities.
Does the source include all 13 features?
No. The supplied excerpt describes eight features in detail and names limewashing an entire home without its explanation. It does not provide the rest of the list.
Source: housebeautiful.com
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