8 Things You Should Never Decorate With & What to Use Instead
Sometimes, it's not about what you should put in your home, but what you shouldn't.
In this video, interior designer Julie Khuu shares her top eight decor faux pas and offers better alternatives, drawing from her 18+ years of experience. While she appreciates timeless trends, Julie points out that some items still popular in homes today don't necessarily add style or functionality.
In her latest discussion, she aims to help homeowners avoid these common mistakes and discover endless design possibilities. Here is the video and the main points summarized below.
Table of contents
1. Plastic Furniture
Plastic furniture, including acrylic pieces, may seem like a budget-friendly option, but it often lacks durability and sophistication. Instead of opting for plastic, Julie recommends investing in solid wood or secondhand furniture, which offers a more luxurious and long-lasting appeal. Platforms like Facebook Marketplace and local thrift stores can be excellent sources for affordable, stylish alternatives.
2. Taped Posters
Taping posters to walls is a trend best left in college dorms. For a more grown-up look, Julie suggests framing posters instead. Inexpensive frames from stores like Ikea can give artwork a polished and prominent appearance. For those on a tight budget, reusing thrifted canvases or frames can also be a creative and cost-effective solution.
3. Dead Flowers
Decorating with dead flowers or potpourri can bring negative energy into a space, according to Feng Shui principles. Fresh flowers or realistic artificial plants are better choices for maintaining a vibrant and harmonious home. Julie emphasizes the importance of keeping faux plants dust-free to ensure they contribute positively to the decor.
4. Trophies and Award Plaques
While trophies and plaques represent significant achievements, they don't always fit seamlessly into a well-designed home. Julie advises placing them in a private area, like a home office, or styling them intentionally on a bookshelf, paired with other personal items that reflect hobbies or interests.
5. Stuffed Animals
Stuffed animals are adorable in a child’s room but can clutter a space when they overflow into other areas of the home. Julie shares her strategy of rotating her children's toys to keep the space feeling fresh and organized. However, she acknowledges that finding a chic way to incorporate stuffed animals into adult spaces is still a design challenge.
6. Multicolor Strip Lighting
Multicolor strip lighting may be fun for parties or TikTok videos, but it often clashes with a sophisticated home environment. Instead, Julie recommends sticking to simple white lighting, which can still create a warm, inviting ambiance without overwhelming the space.
7. Oversized Beads
The trend of oversized beads as decor has overstayed its welcome. While they may add texture, they often lack personal meaning. Julie suggests replacing these generic items with decor that holds sentimental value, such as handmade beads from a special trip or heirloom pieces that tell a story.
8. Word Art
"Live, Laugh, Love" and similar word art have become clichés in home decor. Instead of filling walls with generic phrases, Julie encourages using art that resonates on a personal level. Whether it's a statement piece of art, a gallery wall of favorite photos, or even a striking wallpaper, there are countless ways to elevate your home's aesthetic without relying on word art.
Sometimes, the best way to refresh a space is to remove everything and start with a blank slate. By giving your home some breathing room, you can return with fresh eyes and a renewed sense of what truly reflects your style and values.
What do you think of some of these design "mistakes"? Do you agree with them? Did some of them surprise you? Let me know in the comments below.
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