Consider avoiding these particular faux pas.
HECTOR MANUEL SANCHEZ STYLING BY: HOLLY SMITH
For designers, home is more than just a retreat.
Its a creative playground, a testing ground for new ideas, and a space to refine their aesthetic.
Credit:HECTOR MANUEL SANCHEZ STYLING BY: HOLLY SMITH
Its where they push boundaries, explore their passions, and perfect the details that define their style.
But even the most daring designers agree: Some choices are simply designfaux pas.
Curious about what to avoid?
Credit: Photo: Annie Schlechter; Styling: Matthew Gleason
We asked home experts to reveal thedecor decisionstheyd never make in their own homes.
Open Shelving in the Kitchen
Georgia designerLesley Myricklikes open shelving in theory but not in practice.
They look great in perfectly styled magazine shoots, she says.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn, Robbie Caponetto
However, in real life, open shelves are often a hot mess of mismatched mugs and dust.
Instead, she prefers the clean look (and sanity) of closed cabinetry.
Open shelves look beautiful on Pinterest, but thats the problem.
Credit:James Ransom; Styling: Alya Hameedi
Who wants to keep their hardworking kitchen photo-ready 24/7?
Keep some closed cabinets for practical, everyday storage, she suggests.
These types of walls can feel forced and disrupt the flow of a room.
They often draw too much attention to one area, making the space feel unbalanced, she says.
Sharp lines can be jarring and overly structured and make a room appear less elegant.
Think a painted piece of furniture, steel, or rift-sawn oak with vertical graining.
Credit:Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Elly Poston
When Myricks home came with a barn door in the primary bathroom, her dislike for the trend heightened.
Its incredibly loud to open and close and doesnt block light, she says.
We typically design bath areas with an undermount bathtub in a tile or stone deck.
Credit:Getty Images/John Keeble
Another thing she avoids is gray wood flooring.
I value authenticity and want things to be what they look like, she says.
Designers are quick to spotand avoidmaterials that mimic luxury but fall flat.
Credit:Getty Images/BCShutter
Always invest in real materials.
Lighting that makes your space feel more inviting and comfortable is always the aim.
On the same note, designers would never sacrifice function for aesthetic or change something just to stay on-trend.
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Elly Poston Cooper
