Even the most design-literate among us get it wrong now and again. An of-the-moment sofa may have looked great – that is, until it met real life. Or a budget appliance that seemed like a smart save, unceremoniously sputtering out by week three. Taste evolves, pragmatism proves underrated, but sometimes regret gets there first.
So, halfway through 2025, I asked five designers: which home buys do they already wish they hadn’t made?
Their answers range from common interior design trend traps to the surprisingly superfluous – proof that even the pros sometimes fall for the wrong thing. But these aren’t just cautionary tales. Think of them as course-correctors, nudging us toward what actually works.
You don’t always know what you want until you live with what you don’t. Lucky for us, they already did. Below, the home decor pieces designers say didn’t deliver – and what they wish they’d bought instead.
Pale, precious ottomans
‘I ordered a linen slipcovered ottoman in a pale oatmeal tone for our bedroom, thinking it would bring some softness and texture,’ explains Jade Joyner, principal designer at Metal + Petal, an interior design firm headquartered in Athens, GA. What it brought instead? ‘Stress,’ she quips.
‘It showed every footprint, crumb, and dog’s wet paw within the first week. Beautiful? Yes. Livable? Not even a little.’ Jade wishes she had gone with an ottoman in a darker performance fabric, 'or better yet, something vintage with a little patina already baked in,’ she explains.
This ottoman by TOV Furniture delivers on darkness. The moody dark green jacquard leopard motif is bold enough to disguise the inevitable, and the tightly woven fabric holds up far better to everyday life than the delicate linen she regrets.
Foreign-made teak tables
‘I don’t typically shop at RH, but we made an exception for a teak outdoor coffee table that was exactly the right size for our seating area. Big mistake!’ says Jennifer Jones, principal designer at San Francisco-based design firm Niche Interiors.
‘This table looked terrible just weeks after purchase,’ she laments, ‘with stains and uneven fading,’ adding, ‘Next time, I would invest in higher quality teak from products manufactured in the United States.’
Finding teak anything that’s actually made in the U.S. is no small feat (most brands, even those headquartered domestically, still outsource production abroad). But this architecturally inspired outdoor furniture by Century Furniture is a rare exception. The company has been manufacturing in Hickory, North Carolina since 1947, and the quality shows.
Cheap vacuum cleaners
Conventional wisdom would suggest that luxury appliance brands like Dyson are hyped for a reason. We’ve all heard the legends – and deep down, we know better. But when it’s time to buy, do you really want to shell out hundreds on something as mundane as a vacuum? As the saying goes: buy it cheap, buy it twice.
That’s exactly what happened to Jacu Strauss, creative director at Lore Group. ‘I bought a cheaper vacuum cleaner and I regret it, so I am now getting a replacement Dyson. The best vacuum cleaners are worth the money!’ he says.
This particular model sits at the lower end of Dyson’s lineup – so while still an investment, it won’t completely wreck your monthly budget.
Insubstantial sofa upholsteries
‘I purchased a mohair velvet effect sofa that has sadly been ruined over time,’ shares Franky Rousell, Founder and CEO of Jolie, a firm that focuses on sensory design to enhance wellbeing.
‘Sure, it looks beautiful, but it just isn’t worth the investment in my opinion. Sometimes, it is better to go for a sturdy, tried and true fabric option for furniture that gets such frequent use!’
Sparing you similar heartbreak, Quince makes a fabulous performance velvet. It’s soft, matte, and convincingly elevated – but crucially, its tactile richness holds up. Available in a range of retro-inspired shades, it's a couch upholstery that cleans easily and can co-exist in high-traffic zones.
Custom-made rugs
‘One of my biggest regrets this year was ordering a custom-made rug,’ shares Niki Cheng, NYC-based designer and co-founder of 18th Street Design Collective. Custom, as she learned, is a gamble. ‘While the idea felt exciting and tailored, the reality was less glamorous,’ she says. ‘The lead time was long, the price was steep, and worst of all – there were no returns if it didn’t work in the space.’
The risk is all yours. ‘In hindsight, I’ve found that many pre-made rugs are just as beautiful, far more affordable, and available without the wait,’ she says. ‘Unless it’s for a highly specific need, I’d choose ready-made every time.’
And frankly, with options like this Ashley Tisdale x Rugs USA collab – 100% wool, nuanced shades ranging from auburn to chocolate, and dimensions that suit modern rooms – it’s hard to argue otherwise. Bespoke isn’t always better.
Sterile garden furniture
The outdoor furniture trends of 2025 are similar to the indoor ones in that everyone is loving a more lived-in, vintage style. So when Jacu Strauss purchased a brand new stone bench for his backyard, hoping to create a natural, weathered look, he knew he had made a mistake.
‘I bought new stone garden benches, and while they’re fine, I think I’d have preferred weathered, vintage ones instead,’ he notes. If you are after a vintage look, you can find plenty of outdoor pieces at thrift stores that can save you money and look the part. Stone is classic, but look out for wrought iron furniture too, this is very on trend this summer.
This patio furniture deal from Target hits a sweeter note. Its antiqued green finish and gracefully curved silhouette feel storied, like it’s been there all along. Pair it with a patterned outdoor cushion to up the charm and comfort in one go.
Hopefully, you’ve cleared the cart and made space for what actually works. While you’re still in a deinfluencing mood, discover the things designers say you don't need to buy on Amazon – and what’s worth checking out instead.
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