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House Beautiful published a roundup of 13 home features that designers interviewed for the story said they would not choose for their own spaces. Their concerns include difficult maintenance, installation costs, limited storage or function, and short-lived furniture; the advice is opinion, not a universal assessment of each feature.
House Beautiful has published a list of 13 home features that designers interviewed for the report said they would not put in their own spaces, pointing to concerns such as upkeep, installation difficulty, cost and everyday practicality. The roundup offers expert opinions for homeowners weighing renovation choices; it does not establish that the features are unsuitable for every home.
The designers’ objections vary by feature. Jamie Chappell of Fireclay Tile said zellige tile can be slow and tricky to install because handmade pieces vary in size and thickness, and that its surface can chip, craze or stain and needs regular sealing. Chappell also cautioned that cement tile is porous and vulnerable to staining and etching, requires frequent sealing, and is heavy and labor-intensive to install.
Several concerns involve how a feature affects use of a room. Yvonne Harty of Harty Interiors said waterfall kitchen islands can limit storage and seating, add cost and leave corners vulnerable to chips. Brieanna Cunningham of C&C Partners also cited restricted storage and outlet placement. Harty suggested a furniture-style island as an alternative, while Cunningham said a desired stone slab could instead be used as a backsplash.
Other items on the list include whole-home smart systems, white linen furniture, built-in coffee makers, disposable furniture and freestanding tubs. Cunningham said smart-home packages can be expensive and may be affected by system malfunctions, Wi-Fi outages or software-update problems. Designer Jessica Alpert warned that white linen is difficult to keep clean in busy homes and said built-in coffee makers require ongoing maintenance. Cara Shahbandi of Stanton Home Design advised saving for furniture intended to last longer than a year. Harty said freestanding tubs need enough open space to work well and can be difficult to clean behind.
How Upkeep Can Change Renovation Value
The report highlights a decision that can be easy to miss during a renovation: the purchase price is only part of a feature’s cost. Sealing tile, cleaning around a tub, servicing a built-in appliance or troubleshooting connected systems can add recurring work after installation. Space also has a cost: an island that looks striking may sacrifice storage, seating or convenient outlets.
For homeowners, the practical takeaway is to compare a feature’s appearance with its expected use, maintenance and fit for the household. These are designers’ preferences, not independent performance tests, and needs differ by budget, room size and tolerance for upkeep. A feature may be worthwhile for someone who values its look enough to accept the trade-offs.
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Design Appeal Versus Daily Use
The source frames its list against the expense and long-term consequences of home renovation decisions. It notes that trends move quickly and argues that designers’ experience with changing styles can help homeowners think beyond an item’s initial appeal. The piece includes choices that range from materials and fixtures to furniture and technology, rather than focusing only on permanent construction.
The supplied report describes eight of the 13 listed features in detail: zellige tile, cement tile, waterfall islands, smart homes, white linen furniture, built-in coffee makers, disposable furniture and freestanding tubs. Its opening says there are 13 items, but the provided material does not include the remaining five entries. It also gives no survey method or evidence that the designers represent a broader industry consensus.
““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 Designers’ Advice
The report presents the views of a handful of designers, not a formal survey or technical comparison. It does not quantify installation or maintenance costs, establish how often the cited problems occur, or show whether the concerns apply equally across brands, materials and installation methods. Some risks may depend on product quality, household habits and professional workmanship.
The supplied source text also stops after its discussion of freestanding tubs, although the headline and introduction promise 13 features. The other five items cannot be identified from the material provided. The source gives no publication date, and it is unclear whether the advice has been updated since the original report.
Check Fit Before Choosing Features
Homeowners considering any of these choices can ask installers and suppliers for specific maintenance instructions, warranty terms, installation requirements and realistic costs before committing. For a kitchen island or freestanding tub, checking clearances and how the room will be used can help reveal compromises that a rendering may not show. For connected systems and built-in appliances, buyers can ask about servicing, software support and what happens if a component or network connection fails.
The source does not announce a follow-up, product test or official guidance. Its immediate contribution is a set of attributed design opinions for readers to weigh against their own priorities; no broader industry finding or next milestone is reported.
Key Questions
What is the report about?
House Beautiful published a roundup of 13 home features designers said they would avoid in their own spaces. The supplied source material details eight of them.
Why did the designers criticize zellige and cement tile?
Jamie Chappell said zellige’s handmade variation can make installation difficult and that it needs regular sealing. Chappell described cement tile as porous, stain- and etch-prone, heavy and labor-intensive.
What are the concerns about waterfall islands?
Yvonne Harty and Brieanna Cunningham cited reduced storage and seating, limited outlet options, added cost and chipping risk. Harty suggested a furniture-style island as another option.
Are these features bad choices for every home?
No. The source reports individual designers’ opinions, not a universal rule or independent testing. A feature’s suitability depends on the home, budget and the owner’s willingness to manage its trade-offs.
Source: housebeautiful.com
