Against the Grain: 10 Things Designers Say No that I’m Saying Yes To!

When envisioning our dream home, both its interior and exterior are canvases for our imagination. While some interior designers may hold different opinions, I’m excited to share eleven design choices that go against their grain but are dear to my heart for my future house.

10. Traditional Fireplace

Number one on my list of non-negotiables is the traditional fireplace. While more households are adopting the electric type, my heart holds dear the traditional kind. Fireplaces add a touch of romance to winter evenings, adding a homey warmth to the living room.

9. Wall-To-Wall Carpeting 

Carpeting was all the rage in the early 2000s, and hear me out.  I have hard wood in most of my house, but in my little kids bedrooms (who luckily don’t have allergies) I like the comfort of carpet, no worries about falling out of bed on to hard floors. 

I also love it in our family room (where we watch movies), not only is it better for sound, it is so much nicer for laying around on the floor when watching shows.

8. Cool Wallpaper

I love wallpaper because it is easy to apply and maintain. Furthermore, there are SO many easy options with peel and stick that are not a permanent investment. Patterned peel and stick wallpaper is experimental, and it gives indecisive homeowners (like myself at times) a chance to redecorate rooms however they like, whenever they feel the need for change.

7. Green Artificial Plants

The term plant parent is perfect for anyone who loves some greenery in the house. Unfortunately, I do not always have time to take care of real ones, so a plastic alternative is just fine in my house- an artificial ‘bring the outdoors in’ vibe. Vines and leafy greens (though fake) enrich the room with color and an element of  nature.

6. Dutch Doors

A Dutch door in the kitchen is another addition I would love to have in my house. Dutch doors are perfect for letting in fresh air and sunshine while keeping out curious critters. They are adaptable, too, and they work well, particularly for side entrances and back doorways.

5. Display Cabinets

I find display cabinets a fun way to display dishes, and I don’t care if they look busy, cuz I like them. They are great as storage units or for simple displays of things you love.  I don’t care if it’s busy, it makes me happy so deal with it.

4. Busy Area Rugs

Patterned, colorful rugs to keep the toes warm are a must-have. They are a fun, light-hearted accessory piece that adds warmth to any bedroom. Rugs are versatile, too, and by playing around with materials, colors, textures, and patterns, you can have a unique floor piece to maximize your use of space. 

3. Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring Over Hardwood

We had beautiful wood floors installed in my home, we moved away for a few years, and in that next house we had Luxury vinyl planks installed.  Now we are back to hardwood… As the mother of four children, I can tell you that I would cover my hardwood floors with LVP in a heart beat.  I miss the stress free feeling of LVP.  Wood is more stressful with spills and sitting water that children often make happen.

2. Accents Walls

For an added pop of color, accent walls are the ideal chance to turn a boring room into a fun, light one to show off some of the home’s personality. Especially as more decorators are going for subdued theme colors, an accent wall will keep the rooms exciting and draw the eye.  I’m still clinging on to the accent wall… 

1.Ceiling Fan

One of the most energy-efficient ways to chase away the summer heat is with an indoor ceiling fan. Ceiling fans aren’t just an environmentally friendly alternative to air conditioners; they are necessary for life itself.  Try to find a simple fan, the less themed, the more likely it will date well.

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Sometimes we dream of building a new home, and what great ideas we have for it.  But we don’t want to make big mistakes, what are the horrible new home trends that we want to avoid?

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