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An interior designer has highlighted certain furniture pieces that tend to become regrettable choices, from impractical white sofas to overly flashy glass dining tables.
Jordana Ashkenazi points out that while some furniture pieces may look stunning in showrooms or on social media, they often fall short in a real home setting.
Included in this list are intricate bookcases, such as the one owned by influencer Lydia Millen, which often evolve into an endless styling challenge.
Based in London, Jordana Ashkenazi, the founder and design director at Element One House, shared with the Daily Mail: “As an interior designer, I frequently encounter this issue. Items that initially excite owners soon reveal themselves to be high-maintenance, impractical, or incompatible with their lifestyle.”
‘And if you have children or pets as well, some of these choices can quickly become a very bad idea,’ insisted the expert, adding: ‘Trends come and go, and some of these choices can be expensive.’
She continued: ‘You invest in something thinking it will last, only to fall out of love with it a few years later, and then feel stuck with it if you do not have the budget to change it.
‘A lot of these trends aren’t bad in isolation, they’ve just been overdone or used in the wrong spaces.’
Read on for some of the most common culprits of middle class furniture regret that Jordana has spotted recently…
Molly-Mae Hague showcases her large white L-shaped sofa at her mansion on her Instagram account
White sofas
Jordana said: ‘White sofas are the ultimate fantasy purchase. They look immaculate in showrooms and on Instagram, and the idea of white or cream in a home feels effortlessly elevated.
‘I would love a white sofa myself, but with two children and being a single mother, it comes with its challenges, and if you have animals as well, you will know exactly what I mean. Need I say more.
‘In reality, they are incredibly high maintenance. Even if you do not have children or pets, you are still slightly paranoid about going anywhere near it. One coffee, one spill, one pair of jeans and it is game over.
‘They can work in very controlled, low-traffic spaces, but for most homes, people end up living around them rather than actually relaxing on them. A sofa you are scared to sit on is not a good investment.’
Grandfather clocks
Jordana said: ‘Grandfather clocks can work beautifully in the right period setting where they feel in keeping with the architecture.
‘In most modern homes, however, they can feel oversized and difficult to place. They are large, imposing pieces that you often end up working around rather than incorporating naturally.
‘In many UK homes, the large piece of furniture can feel more like a burden than a feature.’
Show shelving
Influencer Lydia Millen shows off her elaborate bookcase in her home on her Instagram account
Jordana said: ‘Open shelving can look beautiful when it is styled well and kept minimal. The issue is that in real homes, it rarely stays that way.
‘It quickly turns into a mix of books, cables and random objects with nowhere else to go. What starts as a design feature becomes a never-ending styling exercise. You are constantly rearranging it, restyling it and buying new pieces just to keep it looking presentable.
‘Then there is the dust. Every single item needs to be cleaned individually, and you can easily lose an hour just dusting it all.
‘You end up constantly noticing when it looks cluttered or untidy, which defeats the whole point of it being a feature. It is less a shelf and more a part-time job.’
Swing chairs
Jordana said: ‘Swing chairs can work as a fun feature piece, especially in larger or more playful spaces. The problem is that for most homes, particularly in the UK where space is tighter, the novelty wears off quickly.
‘They are rarely used beyond the first few weeks and tend to become more decorative than functional.
‘You often find yourself wondering if anyone actually uses it or if it is just there for show. It is one of those pieces that looks great in theory but does not always translate into everyday living.’
Matching furniture sets
Jordana said: ‘Matching furniture sets can feel like the safe and easy option, and for some people that simplicity works. The downside is that they often leave a space feeling flat and lacking in personality.
‘It is essentially walking into a showroom and saying, I will take all of that, without any real thought. Real homes are not showrooms, they need to reflect how you actually live.
‘Interiors have moved on from that matchy look. The best homes feel layered and collected over time. This is the design equivalent of wearing a full outfit straight off a mannequin. Safe, but not particularly stylish.’
Bouclé
BBC Radio 1 presenter Mollie King sits on a large Bouclé cream chair
Jordana said: ‘Bouclé really had its moment when it first came in. It felt fresh, textured and quite elevated. Now it is everywhere.
‘Pretty much every single place on the high street sells it, which is fine, but it has taken away a lot of what made it feel special in the first place.
‘There is also a tendency to add a bit of bouclé and suddenly feel like the space is design-led, just because it is on trend.
‘When it is used for the sake of it, or overdone, it can start to feel a bit typical rather than considered.
‘It is still very popular and can work beautifully in the right setting, but it is definitely a case of less is more now.’
Chaise longues
Jordana said: ‘Chaise longues can look beautiful and work well in larger homes where there is plenty of space and other seating available.
‘The issue is when they are expected to function as everyday seating. They take up a lot of room and are not always the most practical choice.
‘In most homes, especially where space is limited, they can feel more like a luxury than a necessity. You often find yourself questioning whether it is actually being used or just sitting there looking good.’
High gloss furniture
Jordana said: ‘High gloss furniture can still work in more modern schemes, particularly when used in softer tones or more organic shapes. The older, ultra-slick styles are where it starts to feel dated.
‘They show every bit of dust and every fingerprint, so you are constantly aware of keeping them clean. In real life, especially in busy households, that becomes hard to maintain.
‘If not done carefully, they can tip into looking cold or slightly tacky rather than sophisticated.’
Brass everything
Reality star Stacey Solomon shows off her bathroom which features brass taps on the sink
Jordana said: ‘Brass is now everywhere again, very similar to bouclé. It has become everyone’s go-to. You see it in taps, handles, furniture legs, lighting, light switches, just about everything. And that is when it starts to dilute the trend.
‘When you see so much of it, you naturally start to get a bit tired of it. It can quickly feel overdone and even verge on looking a bit blingy.
‘That said, it definitely still has its place. I love brass, but I just do not love everything brass. The shift now is towards mixing metals, finishes, natural woods and stone, creating a much more layered and considered look.
‘Interiors are becoming more experimental again, and that is where they feel far more interesting and timeless.’
Glass dining tables
Jordana said: ‘Glass dining tables can look sleek and minimal in the right setting, particularly in more contemporary spaces. In reality, they come with a lot of upkeep.
‘Fingerprints, smears and dust show instantly, and you can clean the entire house and still spend a solid hour just polishing the table.
‘You end up noticing every mark the second it appears. In busy households, that just is not practical. They also lack warmth, so the space can feel colder than intended.
‘Depending on the base, they can even verge on looking slightly tacky rather than elevated.’
Full upholstered wall headboards
Jordana said: ‘Full upholstered wall headboards had a huge moment, especially with that hotel luxe look. They can look impressive at first, but they are a big commitment.
‘You are essentially designing an entire wall around one trend. People often add in brass detailing, mirrors, lighting, even electrical points, and suddenly it becomes a very expensive feature.
‘The problem is that when trends change, you are stuck with it. It is not a quick swap. It is a full redesign.
‘What once felt luxurious can start to feel overdone or even slightly blingy. There is now a shift towards more relaxed, layered bedrooms, with simpler headboards that can evolve over time rather than locking you into one look.’
Mirrored furniture
Jordana said: ‘Mirrored furniture can be effective in small doses, especially for adding light to darker spaces. The issue is when it is overused.
‘It reflects everything, including fingerprints, clutter and daily wear. Add children into the mix and it very quickly starts to look less glamorous and more high maintenance.
‘You end up constantly noticing marks and what is being reflected back at you, and not always in a good way. Too much of it can start to feel overly decorative and slightly dated rather than elegant.’
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