TL;DR
Get pool and patio gear delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
A House Beautiful report gathered designers’ views on 13 home features they would not choose for their own homes. Their concerns include installation difficulty, maintenance, cost, limited functionality and short product life; the advice is opinion, not a universal assessment of each feature.
House Beautiful has published a list of 13 home features that designers say they would not put in their own spaces, pointing to concerns ranging from demanding upkeep to wasted cost and limited everyday usefulness. The report is a collection of expert opinions, not a study establishing that the features are unsuitable for every home.
The designers’ objections are tied to how specific materials and features perform after installation. Jamie Chappell of Fireclay Tile says zellige tile varies in size and thickness because it is handmade, making installation slow and difficult. Chappell also says its surface can chip, craze and stain, and requires regular sealing. She describes cement tile as porous and prone to staining and etching, with frequent sealing and careful maintenance also needed.
Other concerns involve the way a feature shapes a room. Yvonne Harty of Harty Interiors says waterfall kitchen islands can limit storage and seating, add cost and leave corners vulnerable to chips. Designer Brieanna Cunningham also points to limited storage and outlet placement. Harty favors a furniture-style island, while Cunningham suggests using a striking stone slab as a backsplash instead. Harty says a freestanding tub needs enough space around it; otherwise, it may lose its visual impact and be difficult to clean behind.
The report also questions features whose upkeep or performance may not justify their price. Cunningham says whole-home smart systems can be expensive and may encounter Wi-Fi interruptions, malfunctions or software-update problems. Designer Jessica Alpert says white linen furniture is difficult to keep clean, especially in homes with children or pets, and adds that built-in coffee makers require ongoing cleaning and maintenance. Cara Shahbandi of Stanton Home Design advises buyers to save for furniture built to last rather than choose low-quality pieces that may need replacing quickly.
The Trade-Offs Behind Popular Features
The list speaks to a common renovation decision: whether a feature’s appearance or convenience is worth its full cost, including installation and care over time. A material that looks distinctive may demand sealing or careful cleaning; a built-in appliance may save counter space but add maintenance and repair considerations. Those costs can matter especially when homeowners are balancing renovation budgets against other needs.
The recommendations are not blanket rules. A waterfall island may suit a kitchen where storage and seating are already addressed, while handmade tile may appeal to someone willing to accept its irregularity and care requirements. The useful takeaway is to ask designers and contractors about maintenance, durability, installation and room fit before committing, rather than judging a feature only by its appearance.
Products Worth Considering
Shark HydroVac MessMaster Corded Wet/Dry Vacuum, Mop & Self-Clean (WD161)
Ring Wired Doorbell Plus (2nd Gen) and Chime (3rd Gen), Nickel Silver and White
Dyson V8 Cyclone Cordless Vacuum
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Design Advice, Not a Product Study
House Beautiful frames the roundup against the expense of home renovation and the rapid turnover of interior design trends. Its central point is that choices made for a lasting home should be weighed for both function and long-term upkeep, not just their initial visual appeal. The piece draws on comments from several design professionals, including Chappell, Harty, Cunningham, Alpert and Shahbandi.
The source material identifies only eight of the 13 features in detail: zellige tile, cement tile, waterfall islands, smart homes, white linen furniture, built-in coffee makers, disposable furniture and freestanding tubs. It refers to the full list as 13 items, but the supplied text cuts off after introducing limewashing an entire home. The remaining entries and their associated explanations cannot be verified from the material provided.
“Because each piece is handmade, there’s a lot of variation in size and thickness, making installation slow and tricky.”
— Jamie Chappell, Fireclay Tile
Five List Entries Are Missing
The supplied source excerpt does not include all 13 entries. It ends partway through a section on limewashing an entire home, without providing that section’s full explanation or the remaining recommendations. This article therefore reports only the eight features described in the provided text and does not infer the missing items.
The advice is attributed to individual designers, and the excerpt does not provide comparative testing, cost estimates, or evidence that each concern applies in every home. Actual performance can depend on product quality, installation, household use and maintenance. The source material also does not state when the report was published.
Check the Full Feature List
Readers seeking the complete set of 13 recommendations should consult House Beautiful’s original report, which may contain the missing entries and their explanations. Anyone planning a renovation can use the named concerns as prompts for project-specific questions: what sealing or cleaning is required, how a feature affects storage and access, what repairs may involve, and whether the design suits the room’s dimensions.
Before approving work, homeowners should confirm details with their designer, installer or product supplier. The supplied material does not announce a follow-up, a formal study or any change to building guidance; the next step is practical verification of each choice for the home and household involved.
Key Questions
Which home features are covered in the source material?
The excerpt discusses 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 cuts off before giving the full details.
Why do the designers criticize zellige and cement tile?
Jamie Chappell says zellige’s handmade variation can make installation difficult and that the surface needs regular sealing. Chappell describes cement tile as porous and susceptible to stains and etching, with ongoing maintenance also required.
Are designers saying homeowners should never use these features?
No. The report presents individual designers’ preferences and concerns, not a universal ban or a finding that the features fail in every home. Room size, budget and willingness to maintain a material can change whether it is a good fit.
What should homeowners ask before choosing a feature?
Ask about installation, cleaning, sealing, repair costs and expected durability, as well as how the feature affects the room’s storage, seating and access. Confirm specifics with the designer, installer or supplier before committing.
Source: housebeautiful.com
