6 of the most expensive design mistakes we promise to never make again – and the lessons we've learned from these regrettable splurges

I look at beautiful interiors all day, every day. It's a perk of the job that I am constantly inspired by the world's best designers and the most amazing homes. But naturally, this means I often want to drastically overhaul my own spaces, and it's led to some slightly rash, regrettable, and expensive decorating mistakes.

I recently watched a video on Instagram from the designer Emily Henderson and was rather comforted when she revealed that she too has had some expensive design mistakes. She confesses to having invested in a 'viral' fig tree for her home that cost over $1,000, only for it to slowly die in the corner of her living room.

But she ended the video on something that stuck with me. She says, 'I'm sure I'm not alone in wanting something so bad, design-wise, and having it still not work out. It's all just part of life and learning all these lessons, but it was the one that was really hard to learn, and I felt really embarrassed. I hope this helps you if you feel like you've ever made a huge design splurge that hasn't worked out.'

So I am feeling more confident that my costly design mistakes are all part of a learning curve. And I think there's something we can all learn by sharing our decorating faux pas, so I asked the rest of the Homes & Gardens team what expensive design mistakes they have made in the past, and what they have learnt from them.

1. Installing dark carpets

Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens, Jennifer Ebert, says she regrets the black carpets she installed in her home. Not only were they the hardest home decor to clean, but they weren't the most practical carpet idea for everyday wear and tear.

Jennifer said, 'Many years ago now, but black carpets are my most expensive design mistake. They showed every speck of dust and cat fur, and you can never tell if they are actually clean. It didn't help that we had a fluffy white tabby cat. Never again will I make this carpet mistake, I will be sticking with lighter, easier to clean flooring choices like a jute carpet from now on.'

2. An L-shaped couch that lacks versatility

Head of Lifestyle Katrina Harper-Lewis says she regretted purchasing an L-shaped couch for one big reason.

She explains, 'An L-shaped, but not modular, sofa is a design splurge I regret. It was great for the first place we lived in, but didn't fit the layout of the next. I really regret not just buying one with a separate footstool for versatility!'

Suggesting this might be a sofa style to avoid, Katrina's experience proves that bulky, immovable pieces aren't always the best option. Sectionals aren't always transitional and can feel overwhelming in a lounge, as they add a lot of visual bulk.

Smaller loveseats, or modular designs that can be reconfigured, are usually a safer option as they don't take up too much room and aren't bound to fitting into a corner of the room.

3. An expensive rug that's too small for the space

We all know in theory that going too small is one of the biggest rug mistakes you can make, but when you are faced with the perfect design and the impulse to buy, dimensions can be forgotten. Managing Editor Zara Stacey's rug-shopping experience proves this theory.

Zara says she purchased a stylish carpet that turned out to be rather tiny. 'It looked almost comical floating in the sea of floor in my living room,' she says. 'It was undoubtedly a beautiful rug, but that didn't distract from how obvious it was that it was too small. I always go big now, as there's nothing worse than a rug that doesn't do its job. Rugs often lean on the more costly side, particularly antique or handmade varieties, so it's important to measure thoroughly prior to buying!'

If you're battling with choosing the right style or shape, the ultimate rug size guide will be your helping hand. Never just use your 'vision' to imagine the rug in the space, get out the tape measure and the masking tape, and plan out how it will look.

4. Tricky to clean terracotta tiles

Often seen in timeless farmhouse kitchens, terracotta tiles are loved in the interior design world for their ability to bring rustic charm and earthiness. However, Trend and Style Editor Charlotte Olby begs to differ...

She says, 'My terracotta kitchen floor tile was one of the biggest splurges in our remodel. While I absolutely love the look, color, and feel of it, it's a total nightmare to keep clean. Despite plenty of sealing, terracotta acts a bit like a sponge, so any spillages (from us or the dog) sink in really quickly, and we are yet to find a mop for scrubbing the tiles that doesn't disintegrate on contact with them. I'm still trialling my way through different cleaning methods, but for now we're just having to lean into the rustic, imperfect nature of them.'

5. A linen sofa

On the theme of investing in pieces that then prove a nightmare to keep clean, Charlotte shared a second design splurge she now regrets.

'We invested in a large neutral linen sofa which is super squashy and comfy, but we didn't opt for the 'performance' fabric, and thanks to the dog, two years in, it isn't in the best condition. I think the lesson here is that these big ticket splurges need to be able to be well-maintained to live up to their luxury price for years to come – so be sure to have a plan or a little extra in the kitty to help you to look after such items and really get your cost per use.'

Consider how to choose upholstery and not just this year's sofa trends to ensure your piece endures years of use.

6. Impractical vintage furniture

It can be hard to resist a beautiful piece of furniture when you're vintage shopping. While antique pieces are often ornate and beautifully made (not to mention one of this year's furniture trends), it's important to thoroughly check and measure the piece before buying to avoid adding more clutter to your scheme.

Head of Interiors, Hebe Hatton, proved this when she shared her antique shopping experience. She said, 'I invested in some beautiful vintage bedside tables for my last apartment. They were French and ornate and so exquisite, but once I brought them home, I knew they were impractically small. They were also impractically tall. But they did look wonderful on either side of my very boring wooden bed frame, they really elevated the space.'

She continued, 'However, once in bed, I had to reach up to them, and the surface area (a beautiful marble) was barely big enough for a glass of water and a book. I have also realised that bedside tables look like bedside tables wherever you put them. So when I moved and they didn't work in my new bedroom I couldn't properly make them work in any other room – they looked odd in the entryway where they were in fact not tall enough to act like a tiny console table and the fact that they had a drawer meant they didn't work as a side table in the living room either.'

Clearly, we've all made rookie errors when decorating and refurbishing our homes. While it can be frustrating to look back on past decisions and now regret them, a truly competent designer learns from their mistakes and works around them.

Hopefully, the Homes & Gardens team has proven that everyone can face design hiccups; it's an inevitable part of interior design. Don't be put off by challenges, and always measure anything before you buy!