Sure, interior design is all about aesthetics — but beauty alone won’t make you love your home in the long run. Even the most eye-catching trends can turn into regrets. That’s why the very best designers know how to balance form with function. We asked top Dallas-based designers to spill the stylish choices they advise against, so you can skip the disappointment (and the hassle and cost of a replacement).
Large, open showers
“Years ago, before wet rooms and large, open showers started showing up in every magazine, I let a well-intentioned builder talk me into one,” says Callie Windle of Callie Windle Interiors. “It was beautiful, but I found the draft unbearable. Maybe I’m a wimp, but it’s no fun shaving legs covered in goosebumps! I’m now a proud owner of and an advocate for an enclosed shower. Steam builds up and keeps you cocooned in warmth.”
Open shelving
This choice “isn’t practical,” says Carolina Gentry of Pulp Design Studios. “You have to constantly clean and dust the items on those shelves, and if you don’t keep them organized, the kitchen automatically looks messy.” Pulp’s Beth Dotolo says her team prefers to design kitchens with plenty of smart storage to “allow our clients to stay organized and efficient. It also looks so much cleaner and more pristine to have a place for everything behind closed cabinet doors.”
All-neutral spaces
“I generally shy away from totally neutral rooms, as they can feel a bit ubiquitous or generic — though not always,” Noel Pittman of Noel Pittman Design. “I simply prefer spaces to feel a bit warmer and more personal. I’ve also found it’s more difficult to incorporate print and color with neutrals, and as a designer, I want to take advantage of the opportunity to give a client a more distinct space.”
Open-concept layouts
“One of the biggest challenges with open-concept layouts is that they don’t allow you to truly relax in your home,” says Kara Adam of Kara Adam Interiors. “If you’re in the family room trying to unwind but there’s a mess in the kitchen within view, it’s hard to disconnect. “I always say it’s nice to have some separation, especially when entertaining. If someone’s prepping food, it’s helpful to have a distinct space for guests to gather. Ever since COVID, people have been craving cozy, more intimate rooms where they can really connect with family and friends.” She favors traditional spaces with galley kitchens and cozy seating.
Cool gray paint
“Cool gray paint never gives a feeling of warmth — it can even feel a bit institutional,” Adam says. “I always find that warmer neutrals are more flattering overall. Your fabrics look richer, your skin glows, and the space feels more inviting. We use a lot of blues and greens in our work, and those cooler tones really come to life when they’re balanced by something warm. Without that balance, a room can quickly feel flat or dreary.”
White-and-black design combinations
A white palette with black accents “has become incredibly overdone,” notes Kim Armstrong of Kim Armstrong Interior Design. “It lacks originality and intention, and feels more like following a trend than making a thoughtful design choice.” And, like many trends, “because it’s such a recognizable design moment, it’s likely to feel dated in 10 to 15 years. People will look back and immediately pinpoint when the house was done or redone — like, ‘Oh yeah, that was during the white-and-black trend phase.’”
Plantation shutters
“They are honestly one of my biggest pet peeves,” Armstrong says of plantation shutters. “Even when louvered open, they cut out 30% of natural light. The only way to bring 100% of the natural light in is if you open the shutters at the hinges, like cabinet doors,” which can result in “bulky panels swinging into your space.”
Armstrong also finds plantation shutters visually harsh. “Windows are one of the few chances to bring softness and movement into the room. Shutters, with their rigid horizontal slats, add nothing in the way of visual relief — and in most cases, actually compete with everything else.” She also notes that shutters remove the need for a variety of different, layered treatments, which “are not only more functional but also so much prettier when added to your room.” Her top pick: woven shades layered with drapery panels.
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