Home design can be tough when you don’t have the knowledge and skills of a professional.
So, for inspo, we asked Brooke Lang, the principal designer at Brooke Lang Design, about the things she would never have in her own home and why.
Here’s what the designer, who has over 15 years of experience, said.
Lang avoids shiplap in her space.
The rustic trend, which features wood paneling on interior walls, has some style benefits. However, the designer said, it’s overdone and dated.
“It’s also impractical — if a piece of shiplap gets damaged, it can be difficult and expensive to fix depending on the extent of the damage,” she told BI.
If you want to lean into a more rustic home design, Lang recommends limewash paint, which has a streaky effect.
“Limewash gives you the opportunity to add dimension with different brushstroke patterns that give your walls an old-world, vintage feel,” she said.
Matching furniture sets can lack character.
You may want to skip buying the bedroom-set bundle and the coffee table that perfectly matches the TV console. The matchy-matchy design trend can lack character and come off as boring.
“Mismatched, eclectic decor allows for your personal style to really come through in your home’s design,” the designer said.
It can also save you money in the long run by giving you more flexibility with where to shop.
Don’t go overboard with precious antiques.
Vintage decor can add personality to your home — and typically features better craftsmanship. However, Lang said, too many antiques can make a space feel dated and unlivable.
“I like to integrate vintage items sparingly while mixing and matching with modern decor,” she told BI. “It’s a great way to keep your favorite one-of-a-kind pieces without dating your space.”
Open shelving in the kitchen is usually impractical.
Open kitchen shelving is a trend that’s slowly dying out.
“Unless you have uniform plates, glassware, and bowls that are perfectly positioned, open shelving isn’t realistic or practical,” she said. “It’s also an easy way for your kitchen items to collect dust.”
If you want to refresh your kitchen, the designer recommends painting or updating the hardware on your existing cabinetry.
Lang said acrylic furniture should stay in the ’60s.
“I would never put acrylic furniture in my home,” Lang said. “On top of being a trend that should stay in the 1960s, acrylic isn’t as durable as other materials, and small cracks or scratches can’t be easily repaired.”
Whether you’re looking for a vintage coffee table or a new set of dining chairs, she recommends choosing wood or marble instead for a more timeless look.
Harsh lighting can make your space feel unwelcoming.
Lang said warm lighting is essential for making your space feel cozy and truly like home.
“Harsh lighting can make your space feel sterile,” she said. “So I recommend replacing fluorescent bulbs with soft white or incandescent bulbs, which emit a warm, golden light.”
Wall hangings with text and inspirational quotes don’t do much for a space.
“Wall hangings and decor featuring inspirational quotes — or really any words at all — is a trend synonymous with the modern-farmhouse look we should collectively leave behind,” Lang told BI.
The designer recommends looking for something more original, such as prints of landscapes, vintage oil paintings, or even colorful abstract artwork, to create contrast in a room.
Overly distressed furniture has seen its heyday.
Another modern-farmhouse trend she avoids is distressed furniture.
Some rustic touches are OK, Lang said, but large pieces of furniture with faux wear and tear can overwhelm a space.
For a more modern take, the designer recommends choosing pieces with raw finishes and natural textures, such as jute, bouclé, and linen.
Toss out your paper window shades.
Although paper shades are helpful when you’re moving into a new home, Lang said, they aren’t great for long-term use.
Fortunately, there are plenty of affordable window treatments you can buy to elevate your space — and some simple ways to make them look more expensive.
“A trick I like to tell my clients is to invest in high-quality curtain rods and rings to make your curtains look higher-end,” she added.
Tufted sofas can be way too bulky.
According to Lang, a tufted sofa — typically featuring buttons sewn into diamond or square patterns — is too bulky and can make a space feel crowded.
“Instead, I recommend going for something that is lighter and provides more flow to your living room, such as a sculptural or curved sofa,” she told BI.
After all, she said, a properly proportioned couch can make the space feel more inviting and visually pleasing.
Small living-room rugs can make the space feel messy.
Lang said rugs that are too small can make a room feel unbalanced.
“I like to think of a rug as the anchor of a living room,” she said. “It’s meant to ground the seating area and be the focal point that draws people in.”
Her general rule of thumb is that it should either be big enough to fit two legs of each piece of furniture or at least 6 inches wider than the length of the sofa on each side.
The designer also avoids laminate floors in her home.
“If you’re lucky enough to purchase a home that has original flooring, absolutely do not replace it with laminate flooring,” Lang said.
If the hardwood flooring needs a little love, you can have it refinished.
Lang said refinishing hardwood is a manageable DIY project that will pay off in the long run. It can also add value to your home if you ever want to resell.
This story was originally published in January 2024 and most recently updated on August 4, 2026.
Click to keep reading other things interior designers say they would (or would never) have in their own space.
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