7 Popular Design Tips Designers Are Begging You to Ignore

It seems like anyone these days can be labeled as an “interior designer” without the actual accreditation thanks to social media. And just because a certain creator has thousands of followers and a picture-perfect collage of DIY-projects-gone-great, that doesn’t mean every idea you see posted is worthy of being copied.

But how do you know which tips and trends to avoid from your favorite creators versus the ones to consider? We asked several interior design professionals for the top popular design trends they wish you’d ignore, and here’s what they had to say.

All-White Farmhouse Styles

The farmhouse style has definitely had its time to shine, and designers say now it’s time to put it to bed. While it traditionally styles your home with rustic charm, the aesthetic has undergone a big change for a warm modern approach. With the new farmhouse style appearing more personal and cozy, our experts say its time to stop copying the once-popular all-white farmhouse rooms.

“I would encourage people to take the Pinterest-perfect look with a grain of salt, because that’s not real life,” says designer Kathy Kuo. “It’s easy to create a beautiful scene for a social post; it’s harder to create a nuanced, personal, and unique interior design that will be both soulful and practical day in and day out.”

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Color-Drenching the Wrong Room

If you haven’t heard, color drenching is a big trend to try this year. Designers say color-drenching will dominate the interior design world this year, but while it’s great for adding bold color to your home, it shouldn’t be used in every room… like the bathroom.

“While color-drenching with dark jewel tones is on trend at the moment and makes a bold statement in other living spaces like family or dining rooms, it might not be the best trend for bathrooms especially those without natural sources of light,” says product design manager Erin Sullivan. “Color drenching can lead to monotony and lack of interest in a space leading to a clinical feel [as opposed to] warm and inviting.”

So, while you may seem a post from a notable creator this year who’s color-drenched their bathroom, take a professional’s advice to skip the idea for your own space.

Heavy Demolition or Construction

Maybe it’s the rise of DIY television we have to thank for this trend or the go-getters on social media who love showing off their own demo projects, but interior designer Allisa Jacobs cautions you to think twice before deciding to copy a demolition project from your favorite creator.

“When I see creators delving into the world of construction, I hope followers proceed with caution,” she says. “I come from a family of construction workers and see two majors issues: creators are unaware of safety concerns (like breathing in toxic dust) and secondly, modifying their home in ways that will never pass building codes.”

For heavy projects that require making significant changes to the layout and structure of your home, consider hiring a professional to tackle the job so the bones of your home stay safely in place.

No Storage Vanities

Transforming your bathroom into a minimalist at-home spa retreat is certainly an envious luxury, but there’s one aspect to this trend that Sullivan doesn’t want you to copy: no-storage vanities.

“While a sleek, floating vanity with no drawers looks beautiful, they can lack storage space, which can lead to cluttered countertops and defeat the original purpose of minimalism,” she says.

Instead, try searching for floating vanities that keep the clean lines of the minimalist aesthetic but have built-in drawers to conceal your toiletries and towels to keep the space visually clutter-free.

Choosing Certain ‘Dupes’

This is a tough one, but according to Kuo, it’s important to be wary of dupes of popular, high-end brands.

“I understand that budget needs to be top of mind for many people, but cheaply-made fast furniture is often made using un-sustainable manufacturing processes,” she explains. “In the long run it’s going to cost you more to keep replacing low-quality pieces than it would have to just spend a little more up front on an artisan-quality piece.”

If you’re dead-set on having some dupes, just ensure that they’re not big pieces like couches that would cost even more to replace if something goes wrong down the line.

Lots of Open Shelving

Open shelving is a double edged sword: On the one hand you get to show off lovely decor pieces, but on the other it’s just begging you to put clutter on display.

However, while Sullivan says open shelving is definitely okay to keep up in your home, it doesn’t mean you should go above and beyond with them. She explains that they require constant tidying from dust moisture, and sometimes aren’t the best medium for practical storage.

Trendy Statement Sinks

Having a stunning statement sink in your bathroom can be a great focal point. But while decor-wise these sinks nail their purpose, they’re not always that practical to have.

“Vessel sinks or uniquely shaped basins may be visually striking, but they can be difficult to clean and aren’t always user-friendly. Homeowners often regret prioritizing aesthetics over function,” Sullivan says.