When it comes to purchasing furniture and decor, we are the first to say that your choices are entirely personal, and you can buy whatever you want. However, some of us still have leftover furniture from our college days or items that we purchased to get us through a particular event.
These are the items you should avoid buying today if you want to create a home that works well over time while also looking stylish and inviting. Thoughtful consideration and a discerning eye are key to creating a cohesive and enduring home aesthetic.
Items of Furniture or Decor That You Shouldn’t Buy
Decorating your home should not be done quickly. Allow yourself the time to create a home design that you adore, using high-quality pieces that you will treasure for a lifetime.
Cheap Sofa
A cheap sofa may seem like a good idea at the time. They have a low price and a trendy design that will look great in your home, at least for the moment. The problem with cheap sofas is that they are made of low-quality materials on both the outside and the inside frame and padding. Cheap upholstery and structural materials will result in lumpy cushions and sagging frames, as well as fabric that wears out quickly and easily stains.
Rather than buying the cheapest sofa you can find, look for a mid-range sofa with positive reviews. This will still be a cost-effective option, especially because it will last longer and look better over time than the cheaper alternatives.
Tiny Rugs
Rugs are an expensive purchase, so many people try to save money by buying the smallest one that fits their space. Rugs that are too small for the room or area make the space feel disjointed and out of proportion, as they do not anchor the furniture or properly frame it. They can also make a space appear smaller.
The rug you choose should serve as an adequate anchor for the space, so ensure that at least the front legs of any furniture in a specific area fit on the rug. Even if you can not afford a high-quality wool rug, there are other rug options that can enhance your space. Look for less expensive organic rugs, such as seagrass or flatweave cotton rugs. Use a thick rug pad to make the rug appear and feel more substantial.
Generic Wall Art
Generic wall art lacks personality and can leave your home feeling dull and uninspired. Generic wall art also does not stand the test of time. Because this type of wall decor is so trend-driven, it often goes out of style quickly. Wall art such as word signs, landscapes with no personal meaning to you, and themed art that does not reflect your interests make your home look identical to everyone else’s.
A better approach is to display wall art that reflects your personal preferences and interests. Finding these pieces will take some time, but it will result in more interesting wall decor. Look for local artists to invest in, as well as high-quality prints online. Beyond framed pieces, consider other ways to decorate your walls, such as hanging plates or your own collections to fill specific spaces.
Vertical Blinds
Vertical blinds, a popular blind choice during the 80s and 90s, can give your house a dated and institutional feel. These blinds are often cumbersome to keep clean and are noisy to operate.
A better choice, if you want to create a streamlined and modern interior style, is to choose an unobtrusive roller blind or a simple Roman shade. These options offer a cleaner look and provide better light control, ease of maintenance, and lasting style than vertical blinds.
Faux Leather Furniture
Faux leather, also known as vegan leather, is an appealing upholstery option because of its low cost and animal-friendly construction. Faux leather is available in three types: polyurethane (PU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and silicone. These materials have some advantages, but they are not as durable or comfortable as genuine leather. Faux leather peels and cracks over time. This is a likely scenario for high-usage items such as sofas and side chairs.
Genuine leather furniture is an investment that will last a lifetime. It will develop a patina, making it softer and more durable. If you have a moral objection to buying leather, consider investing in another high-quality piece with natural fabric upholstery, which will last longer than faux leather.
Florescent Lights
Florescent lights are widely used in commercial and institutional settings due to their durability and energy efficiency. These lights are popular in residential settings such as kitchens, basements, and garages due to their brightness and potential cost savings. However, they produce cold, harsh light, which does not give a home a cozy and inviting appearance.
Warm LED bulbs are a better option for residential lighting than fluorescent lights. These still provide long-term cost savings when compared to incandescent lights, but they also allow for greater variation in light temperature than fluorescent lights.
Overly Trendy Decor and Furniture
Avoid purchasing excessive quantities of trendy pieces. A few well-chosen items can add a modern and fresh feel to your house, but an excessive number will overcrowd your area and make it feel out of style too quickly.
A better approach would be to focus on purchasing classic décor and furniture that speaks to your tastes and interests. Timeless furniture and well-chosen versatile accessories will provide a solid foundation for you to update with a few carefully selected trendy accent pieces, allowing your home to remain stylish without a complete overhaul.
Themed Furniture
Themed furniture, while fun and inventive, will not be as long-lasting as classic furniture shapes. Too many of these pieces can also make your space feel one-dimensional and make it more difficult to transition to a new style.
It is better to incorporate a specific interest you have using subtle accessories and decor rather than furniture. This will keep your space feeling overly contrived and allow it to be more flexible if you want to incorporate other styles.
Low-Quality Mattress
A low-quality mattress may be less expensive than other options, but it can have a negative impact on the quality of your sleep and long-term health. Poor quality mattresses are made of low-quality materials and frequently lack proper support, which can hurt your back and cause them to sag over time.
It is best to invest in a good quality mattress with components like memory foam, high-quality inner springs, and durable upholstery. Because mattresses are so personal, it is best to test them out first. Look for companies that will let you return them without penalty after you have tested them over a period of time.
Particle Board Furniture
Particle board furniture may be cost-effective, but because it is so easy to damage, it is not a good candidate for long-term use. Made from compressed wood particles and resin, particle board will chip, warp, and break, especially in humid, high traffic environments.
Instead, choose furniture made from solid wood, high-quality plywood, or other natural materials. These materials will ensure that your furniture remains durable in the future. It will also provide natural texture and warmth in your space.
Imitation Designer Furniture
Furniture designed to imitate designer styles at a lower price point compromises on quality and craftsmanship. These pieces might initially look good, but they will eventually wear out quickly due to the inferior materials and construction.
Investing in quality pieces that have a classic shape and style is a better long-term strategy. Choose pieces that resonate with your personal style rather than mimic someone else’s. This will make your space feel more authentic and enhance the timeless style of your home.
