I’m an interior designer. These 10 trends that don’t actually look good in real life.

Stark-white interiors photograph like a dream, but in reality, they are about as welcoming as a dentist’s waiting room.

There is something to be said for the allure of a minimalistic clean slate but all-white interiors are seriously lacking in personality and warmth. If you fail to introduce a variety of textures and finishes, the result is a monotonous and uninteresting space.

Instead of an all-white interior, I recommend incorporating different textures, tones, and materials in a neutral color palette to add depth and interest to your space while still achieving a minimal look.

This approach will help create an inviting space that feels more like a home and less like a hospital.

Although you can’t kill a faux plant, you also aren’t fooling anyone with that plastic imposter.

They may seem like a convenient way to add greenery to your space, but they just end up collecting dust and looking more like a prop from a bad sci-fi movie than a natural element in your home.

The beauty of having indoor plants in the home is to add a touch of nature and organic beauty.

If you were born without a green thumb, fear not. There are plenty of low-maintenance plants that can add a breath of life and energy to your space without requiring a degree in horticulture. Opt for the nearly un-killable pothos or snake plant instead.

Mass-produced, uninspired decor that’s often used in real-estate staging looks boring and lifeless in your actual home. 

Generic decor may seem like a safe bet, but it can easily become unremarkable at best and hackneyed at its worst.  This includes things like knickknacks, trinkets, and decorative items that have no real significance or purpose.

When you buy items that don’t either serve a function or speak to you on a personal level, you’re simply spending money on things that will end up collecting dust. Opt for interesting pieces that feel unique, inspire conversation, or have some sort of personal meaning.

Your home should be a reflection of you, not a carbon copy of a real-estate brochure, so don’t be afraid to show a little personality. 

Fluffy, cloud-style sofas have taken social media by storm in recent years with their irresistibly plush and cozy appearance.

These billowy, soft couches look like the perfect place to sink into and relax after a long day, but in reality, I think they lack proper support. Plus they don’t always hold their shape — down-feather-filled cushions can compress after being sat on too much.

Behind every cloud-style sofa featured on social media, there’s probably an influencer picking up the surprisingly heavy cushions and shaking them out to restore their shape right before they press record.

If you’re investing in a high-end sofa, look for something that will more likely hold up over time. I recommend going for cushions filled with high-resilient-density foam instead. 

Although it’s tempting to stock up on throw pillows like they’re going out of style (and let’s be real, they might be), the reality is that too many of these decorative cushions end up looking cluttered and dated in real life. 

When it comes to pillows, the “more is more” mentality went out of style with shoulder pads and hairspray.

Instead of trying to cram every cushion in the store onto your sofa, I recommend selecting a few high-quality pillows that truly complement your well-curated space. 

Read More: