8 Surprising Things Interior Designers Insist You Toss – Instant Home Makeover Secrets Revealed

Looking to enhance your home decor? Begin by removing these elements.

Engaging an interior designer may appear somewhat daunting and exposed. You could be concerned that they will push for discarding all your possessions and beginning anew. Actually, however, designers commonly advise retaining distinctive and significant items, such as your grandma’s vintage sideboard or that eye-catching mirror you bought during a sale. Nonetheless, there are certain elements that designers regularly recommend their clients remove—usually those pieces that do not match the room, the decor, or the practical requirements of the household members residing there.

According to interior designer and HGTV personality, "Starting with a completely empty space when designing a home is a privilege that few of us get." Shay Holland Far too frequently, we make rushed or fashionable buys simply to populate our surroundings. We cling to insignificant objects to prevent feeling an empty space, when really what we require is open space to help clear up our innovative thoughts.

If you want to enhance your home decor and remove elements that do not complement your area, consider discarding these typical items that designers usually advise their clientele to eliminate.

Related: I Tested the 'Move-Out Technique' for Organization and My Space Is Now Immaculately Tidy

Matching Furniture Sets

Although that coordinating sofa, sectional, and loveseat ensemble may seem like an attractive offer, it might not align with the desired style. As Holland points out, "There’s nothing more impersonal than uniformly decorated rooms filled with items fresh off the showroom floor." To make your space reflect who you really are rather than just what a store recommends, consider mixing different pieces that bring depth and charm to your decor instead of sticking to matching furnishings.

If you prefer not to completely swap out a chair or sofa that’s still in good shape and suits your area, consider having it reupholstered or simply put a new slipcover on it rather than discarding it entirely.

Mass-Produced Decor

According to Holland, ready-made decorations and artworks lack excitement and fail to enhance your living space significantly. She points out, "Despite having messy pets and energetic children, selecting inexpensive, mass-produced decor not only diminishes the appeal of your home but also harms the environment." She advises, "It’s best to donate, discard, or pass along as many standard, plastic, and MDF pieces as you can manage."

Holland recommends investing time in selecting distinctive and crafted items, antique finds, familial treasures, and significant decorations that narrate your personal journey. She suggests adding extra coziness and character by appreciating the irregularities in organic elements such as handcrafted wooden objects and polished stones.

Builder-Grade Selections

Designers tend to despise builder-grade choices the most. For those not familiar with the term, "builder grade" typically denotes the standard finishes seen in newly constructed houses and apartments, such as simple cabinet fixtures and laminated countertops. Developers and builders frequently purchase these elements en masse to reduce expenses. However, this approach lacks creativity.

Holland states that nothing revitalizes a living space quite like replacing standard builder-grade choices. You can transform your area from bland to distinctive through simple do-it-yourself projects such as changing cabinet fixtures, switching out light switch and electrical socket faces, installing window coverings, and repainting surfaces—all without altering the structure itself. These modifications can even be implemented by tenants who wish to make temporary yet visually enhancing updates.

High-Maintenance Pieces

You may adore an elegant chair or a couch crafted from materials not resistant to the mischief caused by your little ones, yet these can frequently be more hassle than they're worth. As Holland points out to me, "We commonly succumb to fads and high-end choices that prove difficult to maintain, such as mirrored or reflective items which are part of the Art Deco style."

Maintaining these items demands an awful lot of effort. She elaborates, "If continuous dusting and cleaning away fingerprints isn’t up your alley, then such materials might not be worthwhile due to all the hassle they bring along." For instance, installing high-pile carpets in a coastal property or opting for sharp-cornered glass coffee tables when young children live at home can prove quite unfeasible. Consider how you wish to allocate your free moments; discard everything that fails to align with either your aspirations or daily routine.

Poor Window Treatment Choices

Ashley Macuga of Collected Interiors mentions that among the top things she takes away from her customers' houses are window shutters. She explains, "I realize how much money you put into getting these installed earlier this millennium, yet they obstruct sunlight and conceal the attractiveness of indoor windows." She adds, "The transformation in the ambiance once they're gone is astounding."

After removing the shutters, she enjoys adding a pattern and texture with the installation of Roman shades or curtains.

Related: Kinds of Draperies to Be Aware of When Selecting Window Coverings

Lindsie Davis of Blueberry Jones Design She mentions that poor window treatments are among the things she frequently advises her clients to eliminate altogether. According to her, flimsy curtains, ill-fitting lengths, or improperly placed fixtures not only impact the appearance of your windows but can disrupt the overall balance of your space. She compares window coverings to frames for both the room and what lies outside them; correctly executed draperies enhance everything around them. However, subpar installations become immediately noticeable and detract from the ambiance.

Lifeless Throw Pillows

Even though you may adore your throw pillows, their lifespan is limited. These worn-out, formless cushions do not benefit your couch, according to Davis. "If you're unsure, it’s likely best to replace them—this could mean getting new covers, down-filled inserts, or perhaps both. This straightforward change can entirely transform the ambiance of a room."

Anything Damaged

According to Carly Filbin, damaged items aren’t enhancing the appeal of your home. Blue Jay Interiors "This category encompasses sofas that have become scratching posts for your cats, tables that dogs have treated like chew toys, and perhaps an old settee from your grandmother that you find unenjoyable to sit on,” she explains. “Should anything be irreparably damaged or prove too uncomfortable, it ceases to serve its purpose effectively. The moment has come to swap it out for something new that you’ll cherish and genuinely make use of.”

Inappropriately Sized Items

Proper scaling is essential for designing a visually appealing and cozy living environment. This principle applies equally to furnishings and decorative elements. As Filbin advises, “It’s best to eliminate objects that contribute to clutter.” He further elaborates, stating that overwhelming spaces can make it difficult for one’s gaze to settle comfortably. Such overloading frequently occurs when walls are entirely covered with decorations or when small trinkets abound throughout the area. In contrast, he recommends strategically clustering pieces purposefully,” notes Filbin.

This rule similarly applies to elements such as light fittings. The designer explains, "Should these fittings be overly large or excessively small, they will attract attention adversely."

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