7 Things that Make Your Home Look Cheap
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We’ve talked a lot about home design trends, creating the WOW factor, timeless design, and more! However, bringing a sense of intentionality to your design approach goes a long way toward how you’ll personally enjoy the space as well as how others receive it.
As you continue to make design choices to personalize and beautify your space, there may be an overwhelming urge to maintain some aspects you’ve always had, design on a budget, and/or cut corners where you can. However, this can lead to costly design mistakes that result in the exact opposite of what you’d hope to achieve.
So, before you move ahead in your current design projects, let’s hit pause and discuss 7 décor items that cheapen the overall look of your home. While this information is not based on statistics and research, these suggestions are based on my professional design opinion! I believe following these tips will improve the look of your spaces and give your home décor the aesthetic beauty you seek. Let’s get started!
Item to Avoid #1 – Bonded Leather Furniture
Bonded leather furniture is made to look like genuine leather, but it’s not.
Bonded leather is made of scrap leather and polyurethane mixed, then adhered to a paper backing. This bonding process can make the material easy to peel or flake off over time.
You can easily tell the difference between bonded vs. genuine leather because the real thing experiences much lesser damage; witnessed by cracks and fading with normal wear and tear over time.
So, while this option may save you a few dollars at checkout, don’t expect longevity. Instead, you’ll end up with a worn and unsightly sofa you’ll be wishing you could replace ASAP.
My Replacement Suggestion
Since Bonded Leather has a short lifespan, I would suggest the real thing. Genuine leather is strong, flexible, and long-lasting. It also patina’s nicely over time.
As a protective option, you can use leather conditioning kits or seek out restoration options to keep up the overall look and beauty of the leather for years to come.
Item to Avoid #2 – Wood Paneling
Wood Paneling is a millwork wall covering constructed from rigid components. They are typically interlocking wood panels but could be made of plastic or other materials. Is this wall giving you a bit of nostalgia?! Wood paneling was extremely popular in homes in the 60s and 70s.
People opted for wood paneling because it was easier to install than drywall. The problem is it makes your home look like you took a shortcut. Instead of rustic or chic, it just looks cheap and old.
My Replacement Suggestion
Take the plunge and install drywall! If you can’t do that right now, then paint the paneling. It will freshen up the space and make it feel newer, at least for a little while.
Before approaching the design project, don’t skip any steps, especially if the wood is a higher quality. Instead, take the time to properly clean, sand, and prime the paneling if you want the best possible results!
Item to Avoid #3 – Mini Blinds
Mini blinds are a type of horizontal window treatment made of long, narrow slats held together by string. The slats are usually not even 1 inch wide. They fell out of popularity when their cords began to pose a safety hazard to young children. However, to be truthful, these mini blinds are really just a step up from paper blinds, which should only be used as a temporary measure.
Like most designers, I am a huge stickler about lighting. Not only do mini blinds easily experience damage with regular use, but they also create unnatural lighting and shadows in your space. We want to enjoy and expose our natural lighting, and this just can’t be achieved as easily with these blinds.
My Replacement Suggestion
I strongly suggest investing in some roller shades or a dual shade system that can go from sheer or opaque in seconds. These treatments offer transparent light-filtering and go well in a multitude of spaces.
From the living room to the bedroom, you’ll achieve total privacy, room darkening at night, and full light during the day. Many of these dual shade systems may even come with remote control features. I’m sold! Are you?
Item to Avoid #4 – Dropped Ceilings
A drop ceiling, or suspended ceiling, consists of panels or tiles on a metal grid system that hangs a few inches below the main structural ceiling. They are mainly used in commercial spaces, but they were also introduced into residential homes.
Drop ceilings are often seen in home utility rooms and/or basements which allow homeowners to conceal and access their HVAC, electrical, and cabling components.
The problem came when people began to use them throughout the house. It’s not a good look! The space looks unfinished, even when it has been completed.
My Replacement Suggestion
Stop wishing your guests won’t look up and take the time and money to drywall your ceilings. This should be done in your main living areas throughout the home.
Add in some recessed lighting to really give the overall look your home has been asking for! If you can’t ditch the drop ceilings altogether... my suggestion…leave the drop ceilings for the utility rooms.
Item to Avoid #5 – Wall to Wall Carpet
Wall-to-wall carpeting debuted in the 1930s and was the dominant flooring for nearly the next 70 years. It was soft and comforting but also a huge headache when it came to its maintenance and cleaning.
Today, carpet is often seen as outdated and a little unhealthy. Carpet flooring is known for trapping dirt, pet hair, dust mites, and moisture deep below the surface.
My Replacement Suggestion
I think you’ll love the look of luxury vinyl plank tile. It resembles wood, is water-resistant, durable, and doesn’t hold onto allergens.
Luxury Vinyl Tile is an excellent option for busy households, especially families with children. No more stressing out about scrubbing spilled drinks, marker stains, or other blemishes from the carpet. Instead, just program the robot vac and go. Younger children can also help clean up their messes easily, which is a huge win for moms everywhere!
Item to Avoid #6 – Tiffany Light Fixtures
A Tiffany lamp is a type of lamp with a glass shade made with stained glass. They gained popularity in the late 1800s and are still around today.
That lamp has evolved over the years to include chandeliers and wall sconces. Unfortunately, the stained-glass look has not evolved. Stain glass just speaks to a period long ago and makes your home look old and cheap.
My Replacement Suggestion
Since most people who still have tiffany lamps in their homes are penchant for traditional design, I have a great suggestion! If you want to maintain a classic look with modern appeal, try mid-Century modern lighting designs which are on-trend and timeless.
If you’ve seen my most recent post on interior design trends, you’ll note that black paint and finishing are very much on-trend. With a combination of exceptional lighting and an iconic design style, you can’t go wrong!
Item to Avoid #7 – Poor Craftsmanship
This is a general statement for all of your home’s décor. A poorly crafted item or space just looks cheap. You know the old saying, “You get what you pay for;” so hire a good carpenter!
Let’s take crown molding, for example. There is nothing worse than seeing crown molding installed where the seams don’t align, and caulking is used to fill in gaps.
Or, when the tile is installed improperly; it cheapens the look of the entire space.
My Replacement Suggestion
Not quite a replacement, but as I mentioned, an overall suggestion for approaching home décor… just take your time!
Don’t skimp on quality or rush to choose a contractor that you haven’t fully vetted. If money is an issue, just wait until you can afford it. You’ll be so pleased with the final result as opposed to having to pay double to fix what was constructed poorly.
It’s evident that this crown molding was done with exceptional craftsmanship. The job looks so amazing, you could paint, stain, or leave the wood exposed, and it would still be a home décor success.
And... that’s it!
I hope these suggestions were helpful improvement suggestions as you approach home design projects in your home. Please don’t join the list of homeowners who stage and update their home to sell only to sit back and wish they had made the updates for themselves to enjoy moons ago!
Renovate your space to be the home you can enjoy now and for years to come! If you haven’t already checked out the video, be sure to watch it! While you’re there, hit that like and subscribe button! If there’s a home décor item or space I missed, drop me a comment so we can continue the conversation. See you next time!