- We asked interior designers which home trends and decor choices they think people will regret.
- When it comes to flooring, they suggest rethinking white carpet, laminate, and terrazzo.
- Consider skipping low-hanging light fixtures and marble countertops, which can be impractical.
Trends come and go, but there are a few you might want to avoid bringing into your home.
Business Insider spoke to interior designers about which decor choices they think homeowners would be most likely to regret in a few years.
Here's what they said.
People who enjoy cooking and spending time in the kitchen shouldn't pick marble countertops.
Joe Cangelosi, owner of Joe Cangelosi Design, told BI that marble countertops aren't always the best option — particularly for those who plan to spend a lot of time using their kitchen.
"They're beautiful, but they also chip and stain easily," he said. "Choose quartz instead — they have options that look just like marble. Or if you want a natural look, choose granite."
Patterned tiles can make a statement, but they're expensive to replace if they go out of style.
Trendy patterns and colors are fleeting, but tile can be forever, said Jessica Welling, owner of Jessica Welling Interiors. After all, tile can be really expensive and difficult to replace.
"I recommend choosing more subdued and neutral-colored tile," she said. "Then, bring in your bold colors and patterns with accent walls, shower curtains, towels, and wall art. These are much easier and less expensive to change out."
If you're set on a trendy patterned tile, you might be better off using it for a small area of backsplash instead of the whole floor or shower, Welling added.
Low furniture may fit a certain aesthetic, but it's not always functional.
Modern furniture can be cheap and convenient to purchase, but pay attention to its measurements, particularly the distance to the ground.
"Some modern-furniture companies — particularly those from Italy — have seating that is way too low to the ground," Cangelosi said.
"If you or someone you know becomes pregnant, it's virtually impossible to get in or out of the seat without help or rolling to the ground — same thing if you have guests who are elderly or infirm in some way," he added.
Instead, look for pieces with a standard 18-inch seat height.
Whatever you do, don't get wall-to-wall white carpet.
White carpet might look clean and classy, but it is nearly impossible to maintain and protect from stains.
"If you really want that look, skip the wall-to-wall carpeting, get wood floors instead, and get some white area rugs that can be sent out to get cleaned periodically," Cangelosi said.
If you go this route, look for rugs with stain-resistant properties, especially if you have children, pets, or frequent guests.
Shiplap can quickly date a house.
Shiplap, a type of wooden wall siding, had its design moment — but, like many trends, it won't always be in style.
"Someday in the not-too-distant future, it will look dated. If you've shiplapped your whole house, it's going to be expensive and very time-consuming to change back," Welling said said.
"For those who can't live without shiplap, I recommend installing it on a single accent wall or possibly the fireplace to make a big impact," she added. That way, it's easier to remove if you get bored with it.
Laminate flooring that looks like wood may not be worth the money.
Lisa Modica, owner of Cherry Tree Design Studio, told BI that wood-look laminate flooring wasn't worth installing.
"It never looks or feels exactly like wood, and it can even get very slippery and dangerous depending on the price point," she said. "Plus, if it gets damaged, it can't be refinished — just replaced."
Instead, the designer recommended spending the extra money on real wood floors for better long-term value. If you're looking for a more sustainable option, choose bamboo or reclaimed wood flooring.
Wall-to-wall carpeting isn't an ideal pick, either.
"Step away from the wall-to-wall carpet," Modica said. "Dust, dirt, and allergens all embed themselves into not only the carpet but the padding beneath, where it is impossible to reach."
Instead, opt for wood, stone, concrete, or tile floors. You can always achieve a carpet feel with accent rugs.
Open shelving isn't practical in most kitchens.
Although open shelving might look nice, it can end up creating more work for you and your guests.
"No one wants to dust their plates before they use them, and if they are close to the stove, [plates] can collect grease and dirt as well," Modica said. "Plus, if you have cats, you are asking to be woken by a huge crash in the middle of the night."
The designer said cabinets with glass doors are a more practical option for showing off kitchenware while protecting it from excessive grime.
Low-hanging light fixtures can be problematic.
When choosing light fixtures, it's essential to consider the height of your ceilings. Low-hanging lights can cause injuries to you or your house guests.
"You can get away with hanging fixtures a bit lower over kitchen islands and dining tables, but even then, there is a limit," Modica said.
Ideally, she said, fixtures should be hung between 7 feet and about 7½ feet from the floor. If they're hanging above a table or counter, they should be no lower than 3 feet above the surface.
Explore all your options before choosing a jetted bathtub.
Jetted tubs can be great to have, but they require a lot of maintenance.
"They need a ton of water to fill them, and you need to run cleaner through the jets and internal plumbing regularly," Modica said. "A lot of them are also really loud when they run, which is the opposite of the relaxing bath experience you want."
If you really want a comfortable soak, consider purchasing a large, deep tub instead. It's more timeless and much easier to clean.
Hold off on dabbling with the terrazzo trend.
Although it may be having a moment, terrazzo is just another trend to avoid overdoing, said Jennifer Burt, an interior designer and blogger at Mississippi Maximalism.
Terrazzo — which consists of small chips of materials like marble and granite set in concrete — has become more prevalent in recent years.
"It is gorgeous, but a way to avoid regretting the trend is to invest in accessories, like planters made of terrazzo, instead of installing floors or countertops," she said.
This story was originally published on September 1, 2021, and most recently updated on February 23, 2026.
