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A House Beautiful report asked interior designers about 13 home features they would not choose for their own spaces. Their concerns include difficult maintenance, high installation costs, limited functionality and products that may not last; the views are expert opinions, not a universal assessment of every home.
House Beautiful has published a report in which interior designers explain why they would avoid 13 home features, including zellige and cement tile, waterfall islands, built-in coffee makers and freestanding tubs. The designers point to practical concerns such as maintenance, installation expense and reduced storage, offering homeowners considerations to weigh before committing money to a renovation.
The report is based on comments from several designers and a tile specialist, rather than a comparative test of products or a survey of homeowners. Its recommendations are professional preferences: the cited drawbacks may matter differently depending on a household’s budget, use of the space and willingness to maintain materials.
Tile specialist Jamie Chappell of Fireclay Tile cautions that handmade zellige tiles vary in size and thickness, which can slow installation. She says the surface may chip, craze or stain and needs regular sealing. Chappell also says cement tile is porous and can be marked by common foods and liquids; it requires careful upkeep and is heavy and labor-intensive to install.
For kitchens, Yvonne Harty of Harty Interiors says waterfall islands can add cost while limiting seating and storage, with corners vulnerable to chips. Designer Brieanna Cunningham of C&C Partners also points to restricted storage and outlet placement. Harty suggests a furniture-style island as an alternative, while Cunningham proposes using an attractive stone slab as a backsplash.
Upkeep Can Outlast the Trend
The report’s central point is that a feature’s appearance or novelty may not reflect its long-term cost and effort. Sealing porous tile, cleaning around a tub or troubleshooting connected systems can add recurring demands after installation. For a renovation, those demands can affect daily convenience as much as the initial price.
Some concerns are especially relevant to household routines. White linen furniture can show spills and smudges, designer Jessica Alpert says, making it a difficult choice in a home with children or pets. Built-in coffee makers may free counter space but, according to Alpert, require continuing cleaning and maintenance. The trade-off is not simply whether a feature looks appealing; it is whether its upkeep fits the people using it.
The report also raises questions about durability and flexibility. Cara Shahbandi of Stanton Home Design advises saving for furniture intended to last rather than buying low-quality pieces that may need replacement within a short period. That is a designer’s recommendation, not a guarantee that a higher-priced item will suit every buyer.
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The 13 Features Under Review
The source identifies the following features designers would not put in their own spaces: zellige tile, cement tile, waterfall islands, smart-home packages, white linen furniture, built-in coffee makers, disposable furniture and freestanding tubs. The report’s headline promises 13 items, but the supplied source text includes only these eight entries. It also begins an item about limewashing an entire home but cuts off before providing the explanation.
For smart-home packages, Cunningham says systems can be costly and may malfunction when Wi-Fi or software updates cause problems. Harty says freestanding tubs need enough open space to work visually and can be difficult to clean behind; she suggests an alcove or deck-mounted tub as alternatives. The source also notes that producing cement tile can require substantial water and energy, but provides no figures to quantify that impact.
“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 Designers’ Advice
The report presents individual designers’ judgments, not cost comparisons, product testing or evidence that every installation will have the same problems. It does not provide prices, expected maintenance schedules or failure rates for the features discussed. Installation quality, product specifications and how a household uses a room could change the trade-offs.
The source text provided for this article does not contain all 13 entries: only eight features are described, with a partial heading for whole-home limewashing and no accompanying explanation. The identities and reasoning for the remaining entries therefore cannot be reported from this material.
Check Fit Before Renovating
The report does not announce a policy change or a scheduled follow-up. For readers planning work, the practical next step is to compare a feature’s upfront cost, installation needs and ongoing care with how the household will use it. Designers and installers can be asked about sealing, cleaning access, repair options, storage and the effect on outlets or seating before plans are finalized.
House Beautiful’s full article may provide details omitted from the supplied source text, including the remaining entries. Until those explanations are available here, the missing recommendations should not be inferred from the headline alone.
Key Questions
Which home features did the designers discuss?
The supplied report text discusses zellige and cement tile, waterfall islands, smart-home systems, white linen furniture, built-in coffee makers, disposable furniture and freestanding tubs. It also starts a section on limewashing an entire home but does not include its explanation.
Did the report say these features are always bad choices?
No. It reports designers’ preferences and concerns, not a universal verdict. A feature could work well if its cost, maintenance and practical limitations fit a homeowner’s needs.
Why did the designers object to specialty tiles?
Jamie Chappell says handmade zellige tiles vary in size and thickness, making installation more difficult, and may need regular sealing. She says cement tile is porous, can stain or etch, and is heavy and labor-intensive to install.
What does the source say about all 13 features?
The supplied source text does not include all 13 explanations. It describes eight entries and includes a partial heading for whole-home limewashing, so the remaining recommendations cannot be confirmed from the material provided.
Source: housebeautiful.com
