Beautiful but Impractical: Interior Design Trends I Wouldn't Recommend (and a Few I'll Always Defend)

There's a difference between a home that photographs beautifully and a home that's actually enjoyable to live in.

As an interior designer, I love beautiful materials, interesting finishes, and a little bit of drama. But I also believe that your home should work for the people living in it.

Some of the most popular interior design trends look incredible online but come with maintenance headaches, cleaning challenges, or functionality issues that nobody mentions.

Here are a few things I think twice about recommending to clients, some better alternatives, and a handful of controversial design choices I'll defend forever.

Kitchen Design: Pretty Isn't Always Practical

Pot Fillers

I love the concept, and some homeowners absolutely swear by them. But I've heard enough negative feedback that I don't push clients to install them.

• Another plumbing fixture to purchase, install, and maintain.

• Potential leaks in an inconvenient location.

  
  

My take: If you've always wanted one, go for it! Just don't feel like your kitchen is missing something without it.

Natural Stone Backsplashes

Kitchen by Melanie Jade Design, featuring natural stone walls that add character without interfering with the workspace.

Those gorgeous, light-colored stone backsplashes you see all over Pinterest? Stunning. But porous natural stone directly behind a heavily used range can be a recipe for stains and grease buildup.

• Light-colored porous stone can absorb cooking oils and splatters.

• Textured surfaces are harder to wipe clean.

• Sealing helps, but doesn't make stone maintenance-free.

Better alternative: Use the stone up higher on your range hood or somewhere away from the messiest cooking areas.

Zellige Tile Behind the Range

I absolutely love Zellige tile. Its irregular edges, varied thicknesses, and beautiful handmade character are exactly what make it special.

Unfortunately, those same characteristics make it harder to clean.

• Uneven surfaces catch grease and splatters.

• Irregular grout joints require more attention.

• It's not the easiest material to wipe down after cooking.

My take: Zellige absolutely has a place in the kitchen. I'd just think twice about putting it directly behind a heavily used cooktop.

Too Many Small Upper Cabinets

I'm going to say something controversial: base cabinet storage is arguably better than upper cabinet storage. Fight me.

• Deep drawers are easier to access.

• Skinny upper cabinets often become storage for things you never use.

• More cabinetry doesn't automatically mean more useful storage.

• Removing unnecessary uppers can make a kitchen feel bigger and more intentional.

My take: I'd rather eliminate one awkward upper cabinet than spend money filling every available inch with cabinetry that collects extra crap.

Industrial Spring Faucets

Those oversized kitchen faucets with exposed coil springs look great in a professional-style kitchen, but all those little crevices are annoying to clean.

Better alternative: Choose a streamlined pull-down faucet for the same functionality with less maintenance.

Coated Plumbing Fixtures

Quality matters here.

• Some lower-quality coatings scratch or chip.

• Harsh or abrasive cleaners can damage certain finishes.

• Water spots and mineral deposits can be very noticeable.

My take: If you're going black or gold (etc. etc.), invest in a quality finish and follow the manufacturer's cleaning instructions.

Bathroom Design: Less Maintenance, More Relaxation

All-Glass Showers

I'll say it: the less shower glass I have to clean, the happier I am.

• Glass shows water spots and soap scum.

• Clear glass puts every shampoo bottle and razor on display.

• Large glass enclosures require constant upkeep to look pristine.

Better alternative: Use a combination of solid walls and glass, and consider frosted or textured glass for privacy. Spend your money making the outside of the shower beautiful. Keep the inside functional, and thank me later.

Freestanding Bathtubs

Built-in bathtub that's great for soaking, with unlacquered brass fixtures, a marble surround, and lots of places to put things.

They're gorgeous. They're sculptural. They're also not always particularly practical.

• Getting in and out can be awkward.

• Cleaning behind and around them is a pain.

• Water splashes onto the surrounding floor.

• There's often nowhere convenient to put your products.

My take: Give me a deep soaking tub in a thoughtfully designed alcove, with a ledge for my things and somewhere to sit while getting in or out.

Vessel Sinks

Beautiful in a photograph, less convenient when you're brushing your teeth every morning.

• Water can splash onto the countertop.

• They are awkward for children to use.

• Cleaning around the base can be annoying.

Better alternative: If you love this look, save the vessel sink for a powder room, where appearance can take priority over everyday functionality.

Wet Rooms

I understand the appeal of an open, spa-like bathroom. But I prefer keeping the wet mess contained.

• Water and soap residue can spread over a larger area.

• More surfaces need regular cleaning.

• Poorly planned layouts can leave you with a cold, wet bathroom.

My take: A properly designed wet room can be beautiful, but it's not automatically an upgrade over a great enclosed shower.

Living Room Design: Comfort Wins

Light Colored Sofas Without Washable Slipcovers

This Pottery Barn sofa is under $2000, has removable and washable slip covers, a down filled bench seat, and still looks structured.

Have kids? Pets? A life? I'm a huge fan of slipcovered sofas.

• Removable, washable covers make everyday messes manageable.

• You can actually enjoy a light-colored sofa without panicking.

• Replacing a cover is easier than replacing an entire couch.

My take: You can have a beautiful white sofa and a family. Just make sure you can wash it.

Loose Back Cushions

You know those sofa cushions that slowly get squashed down until they're practically lumbar pillows? Drives me crazy.

• Loose cushions shift constantly.

• Kids and pets accelerate the problem.

• They can make even a nice sofa look sloppy.

My tip: Look for attached or Velcro-secured back cushions. If your sofa already has loose ones, adding Velcro can help keep them in place.

Multiple Seat Cushions

Everyone has different opinions on sofa comfort, but I love a bench-seat sofa.

• No uncomfortable crack between cushions.

• More flexibility for how people sit.

• A cleaner, more streamlined appearance.

• No obvious designated number of seats.

A three-cushion sofa practically tells three people where to sit. A bench seat? Scoot over and make room.

Oversized Washable Rugs

Everyone recommends washable rugs for families with children and pets. In theory, great. In practice?

Unless you have lightweight, movable furniture, getting a large rug into the washing machine isn't always realistic.

• Large rugs can be difficult to remove.

• Not every household washer can accommodate them.

• Moving heavy furniture to wash a rug gets old quickly.

My take: Unless we're talking about a den with a lightweight, ottoman-coffee table, I'd rather invest in a quality, low-pile wool rug and shampoo/power wash/or professionally clean it when needed. Wool is durable, beautiful, and can last for decades with proper care.

And while we're talking rugs? Skip the shag if you hate cleaning. Those long fibers trap everything.

Polyester-Filled Throw Pillows

They look great when they're brand new in the store, but they rarely stay that way.

• Many lose their shape quickly.

• They can feel stiff or uncomfortable.

• They don't give you that soft, full, designer-style pillow look.

Better alternative: Look for quality down or down-alternative inserts with removable, zippered covers.

You don't have to spend a fortune. HomeGoods and TJ Maxx often have great options. And a zippered cover means you can wash it or switch things up without buying entirely new pillows.

Things I'll Always Defend (Even When Others Disagree)

Now for the fun part. These are the materials and design choices people love to complain about that I will happily defend forever.

Unlacquered Brass Fixtures

Beautiful unlacquered brass faucet with marble countertop and apron sink.

You'll never convince me that natural patina is a bad thing.

• Brass develops character as it ages.

• It can be polished back to a brighter finish.

• It doesn't rely on a coating that will eventually chip away.

• No two pieces age exactly the same way.

To me, that's beautiful. The same can be said for materials like chrome and polished nickel.

Real Marble Countertops and Tile

Yes, marble is porous. Yes, it can stain and etch. And yes, I still love it.

• Natural stone develops character over time.

• Every slab is unique.

• Wear and patina can add to its beauty.

• Proper care makes a big difference.

Obviously, spilling an entire bottle of red wine and leaving it there for three days is a bad idea.

But a little evidence that a home has actually been lived in? I think that's part of what makes natural materials special.

Apron-Front Sinks

Some people complain about water dripping down the front of the cabinets. Personally, the best sinks I've ever owned have been apron-front sinks.

• They're available in wonderfully large sizes.

• They maximize usable space.

• They're practical for washing oversized pots and pans.

• They look timeless.

My tip: A proper drip rail will protect the cabinetry below from water, and looks beautiful!

Shiplap and Wood-Paneled Walls

Old farmhouse with knotty pine plank walls

People say they're hard to keep clean because dust settles into the grooves.

My response? The dust would be there anyway. Now you can actually see where it needs cleaning.

• Wood adds warmth and architectural character.

• It brings texture to otherwise plain walls.

• It can make a newer home feel more established.

• A little extra dusting is worth it to me.

I'll take a character-filled home over perfectly smooth, boring walls any day.

Final Thoughts: Design for Real Life

I'm not suggesting that any of these design choices are inherently bad. Every homeowner has different priorities, habits, and tolerance for maintenance.

What works beautifully for one family might be a nightmare for another.

The goal isn't to avoid every material that requires upkeep or every feature that comes with a trade-off. It's to understand those trade-offs before spending money on them. So decide what you need and what you love, and then buy the best you can.

Because a beautiful home shouldn't just look good in pictures. It should be a home you actually love living in.