We Asked Interior Designers What People Regret Most in Their Homes, and They Did Not Hold Back

It’s common to impulsively purchase a piece of furniture or opt for a bolder color just to refresh a space, however, there are a couple of home features to stay away from.

We asked interior designers to spill the truth about the biggest home design regrets they see—and trust us, they did not hold back. From misguided countertop moves to regrettable plumbing fixtures, here’s what they said (and how to avoid making the same mistakes).

Corner Sinks

At first glance, a corner sink might seem like a clever way to save space, especially in smaller kitchens where every inch counts. But according to designers, this layout choice often ends up high up on clients’ regret list.

“One design choice I often see clients regret is the corner sink,” Paulina Hospod, an interior designer at AhA!nteriors, says.

While they may seem like a space-saving solution at first, she says, they come with several drawbacks: one, they’re uncomfortable to stand in front of for any length of time. Two, they sacrifice valuable corner cabinet storage for plumbing. And, three, they push the sink too far back into the counter, making it awkward to use.

If you’re renovating or building from scratch, Hospod recommends sticking with a more central sink location whenever possible. It might take up a little more wall space, but your back and your storage options will thank you later.

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Black Plumbing Fixtures

They may look sleek and dramatic on Pinterest, but according to designers, once real life sets in, black plumbing fixtures often leave homeowners with more regret than style points.

“I’ve seen so many clients regret choosing them once they start living with the space. While they might look striking in photos, the reality is that the finish wears quickly, shows water spots and fingerprints, and is rarely backed by a strong manufacturer’s warranty,” Hospod says.

In lieu of black fixtures, Hospod encourages clients to stick with timeless finishes like chrome, nickel, or brass. These not only age more gracefully, Hospod says, but they are also easier to maintain—and far more likely to stand the test of time, both functionally and aesthetically.

Bouclé

It’s cozy, it’s textured, and it’s all over your Instagram feed—but according to interior designers, bouclé might be better admired from afar than lived with up close.

“Bouclé is one fabric I often caution clients about,” Hospod says. “While it photographs beautifully and adds great texture, in everyday use, it tends to disappoint.”

Crumbs and dust can settle deep into its loops, she explains, making it difficult to clean, and the fabric wears unevenly—lighter tones show wear quickly, while darker ones highlight every speck.

If you love the textural look of boucle, but want something more practical, consider similarly textured fabrics with tighter weaves or performance-grade durability.

“It’s all about finding that sweet spot between style and sustainability—for your furniture and your sanity,” says Hospod.

Lower Cabinets With No Pull-Out Shelving

Traditional lower cabinets may look timeless, but when it comes to everyday function, they often fall short. In fact, if you’ve ever had to crouch down and dig through a dark corner to find the blender, you already know the struggle.

Many people choose traditional lower cabinets with shelves, which look classic but make you bend down and dig the back for heavy pots, pans, and small appliances, Kerry O’Duibhir, the chief executive officer at New Wave Design & Contracting, says.

After using their kitchen for a time, she says clients often realize deep drawers or pull-outs are far more functional—you can see everything at a glance and reach it easily.

O’Duibhir recommends rethinking lower cabinet storage early in your planning process. Opt for full-extension drawers or pull-out shelves to make every inch usable, and your kitchen routine a whole lot easier.

Marble Countertops

There’s no denying it—marble countertops are stunning. Elegant, timeless, and oh-so-photogenic. But ask anyone who’s lived with them for more than a week, and the love affair starts to wane fast.

“Marble countertops! I love the look of marble as much as the next girl, but it is just not a practical solution in a kitchen,”

Alex Thies, the owner and creative director at Adelyn Charles Interiors, explains how marble isn’t a practical solution in the kitchen because it requires regular maintenance since it’s super soft and porous.

“It is prone to chipping, scratching, and staining, and if you live in a home with a kitchen that actually gets used, it will never hold up,” Thies says.

Even a splash of lemon juice or a ring from a wine glass can leave a permanent mark, and keeping marble pristine often requires a level of caution that most busy households realistically don’t have time for.

Thies recommends quartzite as a savvy alternative.

“It’s a natural stone that has similar movement and coloring to marble, but with more durability,” she explains. “You’ll still get that soft, organic look—but without worrying every time someone puts down a coffee cup.”

Luxury Laminate

Luxury vinyl or laminate wood-look flooring is another thing that Thies highly recommends clients stay away from. Although it may be appealing at first for its resilience and appearance of a wood floor, it will never beat the real thing, Thies explains.

Among clients’ biggest complaints? That unmistakable “clicky” sound underfoot, a synthetic feel that doesn’t age gracefully, and a lack of the warmth and character that natural wood brings to a space. It might hold up against spills, but it falls short on soul.

Instead, Thies recommends engineered wood flooring in a hearty species like white oak.

“Nothing beats the warmth of a real wood floor underfoot,” she says. “Choose a character-grade option if you want something more forgiving.”

The harder wood species can be surprisingly easy to maintain and clean, she says.