Cheaply made throw pillows don't last.
Throw pillows are arguably some of the most-used items in living spaces and are crucial to cohesive decorating.
However, a cheaply made pillow without a removable cover will get gross quickly. You probably wouldn't go six months without washing your bedsheets, so opt for throw pillows with washable, removable covers.
Faux-leather upholstery isn't as durable as it may seem.
Though vegan alternatives can be great, from what we have seen, faux leather is not a durable alternative to its genuine counterpart. Faux leather is made with plastics and may be resistant to cracks and scratches, but over time it'll start to deteriorate. Faux leather won't stretch and soften like the real thing, so we wouldn't recommend investing in it if you want comfortable, durable furniture.
Soft-sided organizer cubes don't excite me at all.
Though most college students own a soft-sided organizer, this storage solution should stay in your freshman dorm.
As decorators, we wouldn't call ourselves organized after dumping handfuls of miscellaneous junk into those flimsy boxes.
I find hairpin legs to be too wobbly on mass-produced furniture.
With the rise in popularity of mid-century modern decor comes the hairpin leg. Though we love their simple-yet-modern look, we never encountered a hairpin-leg piece that doesn't wobble.
To us, hairpin legs are overdone and trendy and aren't as versatile as wooden legs across decor styles.
Desk chairs with plastic wheels can damage your floors.
Almost all affordable office chairs have plastic wheels. We have seen plastic wheels ruin floors, especially hardwood ones, and they make a horrible sound when you roll away from your workstation.
Replace artificial boxwood wall decor with large-scale artwork.
Unless you're under the age of 17, we think it's time to retire the cute boxwood wall-decorating trend. It looks good in photos, but not in real life.
This dust-collecting greenery becomes faded in the sun and isn't even nice to run your fingers over.
Exposed-light-bulb fixtures are harsh on the eyes.
Often used in farmhouse, industrial, and minimalist interior design, exposed bulbs have their places. However, we find that exposed bulbs don't mesh in most homes and if done wrong, they tend to — literally — become an eyesore.
Themed decor does not express sophisticated design.
Unless you actually have a beach house, mountain cabin, or farmhouse, resist the themed decor. Unimaginative decor like starfish lamps and rooster clocks might seem charming, but aren't sophisticated.
Faux-sheepskin fabric pills and holds on to loose fibers.
Faux sheepskin is a tricky fabric that will require special care and usually only stays beautiful in pet- and child-free homes. For the majority of us, faux sheepskin is a nightmare because it collects hair and fluff, and becomes a matted mess after washing.
Geometric shelves tend to be clutter collectors.
Geometric-metal hanging wall shelves are everywhere in mainstream design. Though they signify a modern and minimalist design, people often rely on them as an easy way to fill a blank wall without planning for what will occupy those shelves.