5 Tacky Home Decor Items That Instantly Make a Home Look Bad

Nobody wants to spend their money on home decor that’ll ruin their space rather than elevate it, which is why it’s important to know what home decor items scream “tacky” before shopping. We asked interior designers to chime in with the top tacky home decor items that make them want to look away, since they can instantly make a space look bad.

Read on to find out five home decor items to skip when refreshing your home.

Unrealistic Faux Plants

If you’re not a person with a green thumb, it makes sense to invest in faux houseplants for a pop of greenery. However, it’s important to actually find ones that look realistic and don’t bring down the overall look of your space with their plastic look.

“Greenery should breathe life into a space,” Tami O’Malley and Erin Carlson, the founders of Milly & O’Malley Interiors + Market, say. “Overly plastic versions do the opposite—opt for quality faux or the real thing”

Niki Cheng,a designer and co-founder of 18th Street Design Collective, agrees and explains how dusty faux plants can often make a space feel and look neglected.

“Rather than adding freshness, mismatched faux arrangements communicate carelessness and clutter, undermining the room’s overall refinement,” Cheng says.

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Artworks in Irregular Sizes

Although it’s a common practice to add artwork to a space to bring some character, Cheng emphasizes the importance of being intentional with what kind of artwork you ultimately choose. If done poorly, it can actually break the harmony of a space and make it feel amateur rather than curated.

“Artwork should bring depth and character to a room, but low-quality, plastic-framed pieces in inconsistent sizes only create visual chaos,” Cheng explains.

Flimsy Rugs

Rugs are well known to anchor a room, but it all depends on the type you choose, since low-quality ones can do the complete opposite, Cheng says.

“They shift, curl, and wear down quickly—cheapening the look of everything around them,” Cheng says.

Cheng explains how a high-quality rug will be able to easily add structure, warmth, and definition, further elevating the overall look of a room. You’ll also want to be conscious of the rug size you choose, since the wrong size can throw off the overall balance and layout.

Dingy Window Treatments

O’Malley and Carlson explain how flimsy panels can quickly date a space, which is why it’s important to opt for clean-lined panels tailored to the right length in quality fabrics with pinch pleats to curate a timeless look.

The duo also recommends choosing sturdy curtain rings and a well-made rod, since that will contribute to the overall look.

Inexpensive Floor Lamps

Since lighting really sets the mood of a room, you’ll want to skip any inexpensive floor lamps that do the opposite, Cheng says.

“With awkward proportions, flimsy finishes, or overly decorative details, they can quickly drag down a space,” Cheng says. “Instead of adding atmosphere, they highlight a lack of investment in design, leaving the room feeling dated and unpolished.”

Do some prior research before investing in a floor lamp, whether it’s the style or the color. Nobody wants to settle on a kitschy floor lamp, so make sure it fits cohesively within the space you’re decorating.