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House Beautiful published a roundup of 13 home features that designers interviewed for the article said they would not choose for their own spaces. Their concerns include demanding maintenance, installation challenges, limited function and expense; the recommendations are expert opinions, not a universal verdict on every home.
House Beautiful has published a roundup of 13 home features that interior designers said they would not put in their own spaces, citing concerns such as maintenance, installation, cost and practicality. The recommendations offer renovation-minded readers a set of trade-offs to weigh before committing money to finishes and fixtures, but they reflect the views of the designers interviewed rather than a finding that the features are unsuitable for every home.
The article’s list includes zellige tile and cement tile, both of which designers describe as demanding to install or maintain. Jamie Chappell of Fireclay Tile says zellige pieces vary in size and thickness because they are handmade, which can slow installation. She also says the tile can chip, craze or stain and requires regular sealing. Cement tile, she says, is porous, can stain or etch, needs frequent sealing and is heavy and labor-intensive to install. The source also raises concerns about the water and energy used to make cement tile.
Waterfall islands are another proposed skip. Yvonne Harty of Harty Interiors says they can add cost, reduce storage and seating options, and leave corners vulnerable to chips. Brieanna Cunningham of C&C Partners adds that they can constrain storage and outlet placement. Harty suggests furniture-style islands, while Cunningham says a stone slab could instead be used as a backsplash.
The roundup also questions smart-home packages, white linen furniture and built-in coffee makers. Cunningham says smart-home systems can be expensive and may be affected by Wi-Fi interruptions, malfunctions or software updates. Jessica Alpert says white linen is difficult to keep clean and that built-in coffee makers require ongoing cleaning and maintenance. For furniture, Cara Shahbandi of Stanton Home Design advises saving for durable pieces rather than buying low-quality items that may need replacing soon.
The Costs Behind Polished Finishes
The recommendations matter because many of these decisions involve more than an initial purchase. Installation, upkeep and replacement can add costs over time, while a feature that photographs well may make daily tasks harder. A waterfall island, for example, can affect storage and seating; delicate finishes can demand extra care; and a complex system may depend on reliable internet and updates.
That does not make the features inherently bad choices. A homeowner may value the appearance of handmade tile or the convenience of connected controls enough to accept the maintenance and expense. The practical takeaway is to compare the feature’s benefits with its ongoing demands, and to consider the household’s routines, space and budget before committing.
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Design Appeal Meets Daily Use
The article frames the list around the challenge of choosing finishes and fixtures that will remain satisfying over time. It notes that renovations can be costly, whether they involve a full renovation or a smaller refresh, and that attractive additions may require upkeep that is easy to overlook at the outset.
Rather than presenting a technical evaluation or ranking, House Beautiful gathers views from designers and a tile-industry professional. The source material includes eight of the 13 features by name: zellige tile, cement tile, waterfall islands, smart homes, white linen furniture, built-in coffee makers, disposable furniture and freestanding tubs. It begins a section on limewashing an entire home but does not provide that section’s details or identify the remaining features in the supplied text.
““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 Available List
The supplied source excerpt does not show all 13 features: it names eight and cuts off during the section on limewashing an entire home. The missing entries and the article’s full discussion of limewashing cannot be confirmed from the material provided. It also does not give a publication date, prices, product tests or quantified comparisons of maintenance costs.
The designers’ assessments are individual professional opinions. The source does not establish that every product in a category has the same performance, or that these features should be avoided in every home. Suitability may depend on installation, materials, household habits, room dimensions and budget.
Check the Full Renovation Trade-Offs
Readers considering any of the listed features can compare the initial price with expected cleaning, repair and replacement needs, and ask contractors or suppliers how installation and care work for the specific product. For features that affect layout, it is also useful to check storage, seating, access and outlet placement before plans are finalized.
The source provides no announced follow-up, product testing or next publication date. The immediate next step for readers seeking the complete set of 13 is to consult House Beautiful’s original report; the supplied excerpt does not establish the missing entries.
Key Questions
What is the report about?
House Beautiful’s roundup collects designers’ opinions on home features they would not choose for their own spaces, based on concerns including maintenance, installation and practicality.
Which features are named in the supplied source?
The excerpt names zellige tile, cement tile, waterfall islands, smart homes, white linen furniture, built-in coffee makers, disposable furniture and freestanding tubs. It also begins a section on limewashing an entire home but does not provide its details.
Are the designers saying nobody should use these features?
No. The article reports the interviewed experts’ preferences and concerns; it does not establish that the features are wrong for every household. Space, budget, maintenance tolerance and design priorities can change the decision.
Why do the designers raise concerns about tile?
Jamie Chappell says handmade zellige varies in size and thickness, making installation slower, and requires regular sealing. She describes cement tile as porous and maintenance-intensive, as well as heavy to install.
Does the supplied report include all 13 features?
No. The provided excerpt is incomplete: it cuts off during the limewashing section and does not show the remaining entries. The full list cannot be verified from the supplied material alone.
Source: housebeautiful.com
