Interior Designer Shares What She Would Never Have in Her Home

By FeliciaF.Rose 2 years ago
  • Insider requested an interior designer about what factors she wouldn’t have in her home.
  • Tiny add-ons or gallery walls with small items can incorporate clutter to rooms. 
  • Rather of wall-to-wall carpet, choose for hardwood flooring in the course of your area.

Insider spoke with Cathy Hobbs — a celeb inside designer and owner of residence-staging firm Cathy Hobbs Design and style Recipes — to find out which tendencies and designs she’d hardly ever have in her individual space.

Dried, synthetic flowers can make a residence really feel dated 

Dried, gray-ish fake flours in lit up shelf

Other dried crops can function superior.

Dzmitry Kaprusynka/Getty Pictures


Despite the fact that greenery — like faux options — can add daily life to your area, Hobbs stays away from synthetic dried flowers when designing her residence. 

“These frequently experience dated and aged-fashioned in a present day decor plan,” she informed Insider.

She alternatively suggested opting for artificial palm leaves, grasses, or succulents. 

The designer stays absent from framed posters

When incorporating artwork into your residence, really don’t merely body affordable posters. In accordance to Hobbs, that search can carry down your space.

She stated you can opt for an low-cost wall hanging or framed photograph if you are not able to pay for canvas artwork. 

You won’t find acrylic or plastic decor items in her residence

Hobbs stays absent from acrylic and plastic furniture or accessories, even although they’re affordable.

“Not only do these materials frequently crack, but they also are likely to appear ‘milky’ more than time,” she told Insider.  

She advised searching for a tough substitute, such as a material that is suitable for the two indoor and out of doors use.  

She avoids gallery walls whole of little parts

A neutral-toned living room with a gallery wall of art

Gallery walls usually are not always good for anchoring your house.

Photographee.eu/Shutterstock


Despite the fact that creating a “wall of very small matters” — or an eclectic gallery wall — may perhaps be an quick way to fill up blank place, you will not locate this decor preference in Hobbs’ residence.

Rather of a wall with frames and mirrors of a variety of dimensions, the designer prompt heading for major, bold parts to better anchor your area. 

Modest parts and components can look like clutter

In the same way, property add-ons, accents, and other things that are much too modest often develop visible clutter, according to Hobbs. 

She as a substitute advisable selecting out more substantial decor items that’ll aid to floor your house without becoming a visible distraction. 

Hobbs will not overcrowd her bookshelves

Living room with sofa, art, and clean wooden bookshelf

Maintain space open up on your bookshelf for a minimalist appear.

Photographee.eu/Shutterstock


Even although bookshelves are fantastic for storage, do not overfill them with all of your guides and trinkets. 

Hobbs advised leaving some cabinets vacant for a minimalist look.  

She avoids the ‘overworked’ appear in home offices

In accordance to the designer, there’s no purpose to go away your workspace cluttered when you happen to be not making use of it. 

“Distinct the muddle, and opt for a workspace in which get the job done can be tucked absent when not in use,” she claimed. 

You can pick out a desk with drawers or stow your objects in bins.

Blank walls in very long hallways are a squandered decor prospect

Hobbs helps make certain to include style features to lengthy hallways and will in some cases use mirrors to elongate them. 

“Hallways seldom have windows or get much light,” she stated. “Adding mirrors can assistance make these slim areas feel broader.” 

She swaps out wall-to-wall carpeting for hardwood floors 

White kitchen in home with hardwood floors

Hardwood flooring are a well-liked preference.

Breadmaker/Shutterstock


The designer avoids wall-to-wall carpeting, in spite of how it can build a seamless search.

“The actuality is that for many, wall-to-wall carpeting sends a visual signal of ‘outdated,'” Hobbs told Insider. 

She stated it’s in your greatest desire to choose for hardwood flooring considering the fact that most homebuyers desire it. 

Brilliant and trendy home furnishings can go out of design

Although vibrant colours are surely exciting for principal home furnishings items, Hobbs informed Insider that it is best to stay neutral. 

“Instead of picking home furniture that may possibly sense trendy, opt for these that will stand the examination of time,” she claimed. “Grey and cream are great foundational colors when deciding on key parts these as sofas.”