15 Expensive Design “Mistakes” I’d Make Again and Again And 5 I’d Never Repeat
Ever spent a small fortune on something for your home that made your wallet wince but your heart sing? We’ve all been there!
Some design splurges might raise eyebrows from budget-conscious friends, but they bring us so much joy we’d happily make them again. Others? Well, let’s just say some expensive lessons only need learning once.
1. Velvet Sofa Obsession
Velvet sofas cost a fortune and require constant maintenance. Yet watching sunlight dance across that rich texture makes my heart skip a beat every single day.
Friends with pets warn me about the impracticality. Designers caution about trends fading. Still, I run my hand across those plush cushions and regret nothing!
2. Marble Kitchen Counters
Wine stains them. Lemon juice etches them. Coffee leaves rings that make me cringe. And yet, rolling pastry dough on that cool, smooth surface brings me more joy than any practical alternative ever could.
Every mark tells a story of gatherings and home-cooked meals. My marble counters age like fine wine, developing character with each passing year.
3. Oversized Light Fixtures
Guests duck instinctively when walking under my dramatic chandelier that hangs perhaps a bit too low. Moving in required structural ceiling reinforcement that cost more than the fixture itself.
Money well spent! Walking into my dining room feels like entering a magazine spread. Nothing transforms a space quite like lighting that makes a bold statement.
4. Open Shelving Dreams
Dusting becomes a weekly ritual with open kitchen shelving. Everything must remain perfectly styled, and mismatched mugs are banished to closed cabinets below.
Yet arranging my favorite pieces like a constantly evolving art installation brings unexpected creativity to everyday routines. Cooking feels more inspired when surrounded by beautiful objects on display rather than hidden behind doors.
5. Dark Painted Walls
Painting my bedroom navy blue prompted concerned looks from friends who warned about shrinking spaces and resale value. Multiple coats of premium paint weren’t cheap, and yes, touch-ups are noticeable.
Falling asleep feels like floating in a cozy cocoon now. Morning light plays differently against deep colors, creating a sanctuary that wraps around me after stressful days.
6. Brass Everything
Polishing has become part of my cleaning routine since embracing unlacquered brass fixtures throughout my home. Watching patina develop unevenly drives perfectionists mad.
Magical things happen when evening light bounces off warm metal surfaces! Unlacquered brass hardware develops character over time, telling stories through its changing appearance that manufactured “antique” finishes never could.
7. Dramatic Wallpaper
Installing hand-painted wallpaper cost more than my first car. Professional installation doubled the expense, and changing it would require another major investment.
Waking up to walls adorned with botanical patterns or abstract designs feels like living inside artwork. Guests invariably comment on it, making those splurge-worthy walls conversation starters that continually refresh my space.
8. Wall-to-Wall Bookshelves
Custom built-ins required a small loan and three weeks of construction dust. Moving would mean leaving them behind, and rearranging furniture options became limited once they were installed.
Running my fingers along book spines while deciding what to read next feels like browsing my personal library. Nothing compares to the intellectual warmth of walls lined with books instead of just decorative objects.
9. Custom Drapery Splurge
Sticker shock nearly sent me running when quotes for custom window treatments arrived. Specialty fabrics with perfect pleating cost more than furniture pieces, requiring painful budget decisions.
Morning light filtered through perfectly tailored drapes transforms ordinary sunlight into something magical. Quality window treatments frame views like artwork and provide that finishing touch that elevates a room from nice to extraordinary.
10. Vintage Rugs in Every Room
Hunting for perfectly imperfect antique rugs became an expensive hobby. Professional cleaning costs add up, and spills create mini heart attacks knowing replacements are impossible to find.
Stories live within those worn patterns and faded colors. Walking barefoot across wool that’s cushioned footsteps for generations connects me to history in a way no mass-produced alternative could, making every penny worthwhile.
11. Eclectic Furniture Mixes
Mixing high-end designer pieces with vintage finds raised eyebrows among friends expecting cohesive “sets.” Finding perfect companions for statement pieces required patience and often shipping from distant locations.
Soul radiates from spaces that evolve over time rather than arriving all at once from a showroom. My home tells my unique story through carefully collected pieces that spark joy, even if they initially seemed mismatched.
12. Floor-to-Ceiling Art
Gallery walls featuring original artwork required investment beyond just acquisition costs. Professional hanging services, museum-quality framing, and proper lighting added significant expenses.
Art transforms spaces like nothing else can. Living with original creations that speak to me personally provides daily inspiration and emotional connection that mass-produced decor could never achieve, making every dollar spent feel like an investment in wellbeing.
13. Skylights in Every Hallway
Installation involved structural changes that made my contractor rich. Energy efficiency suffered somewhat, and occasional leaks during heavy storms cause momentary panic.
Natural light pouring from above transforms ordinary hallways into extraordinary passages. Moving through my home throughout the day means experiencing different light qualities as the sun travels across the sky—an ever-changing natural art installation worth every penny.
14. Bold Tile in Small Bathrooms
Hand-painted cement tiles cost triple what basic options would have. Installation required specialized labor since patterns needed perfect alignment.
Brushing teeth becomes a mini vacation when standing on floors that feel imported from Moroccan riads or Spanish villas. Small spaces actually benefit most from bold choices, turning functional rooms into unexpected jewel boxes that surprise and delight daily.
15. High-Maintenance Dining Chairs
Upholstering dining chairs in light-colored fabric seemed questionable even before the first dinner party. Stain protection treatments added costs, and occasional professional cleaning is now budgeted annually.
Meals feel more special when seated in chairs that offer both beauty and comfort. Food tastes better when dining environments elevate the experience, making those extra maintenance costs worthwhile investments in countless memorable gatherings.
16. White Sofa in a Family Room
Constant vigilance became my full-time job after this naive purchase. Red wine was banned, and children entered only after thorough hand inspections.
Joy vanished as anxiety replaced relaxation in what should have been our most comfortable space. Slipcovers helped somewhat but never looked quite right. Eventually, selling it at a significant loss felt like freedom rather than failure.
17. Too-Trendy Kitchen Finishes
Jumping on that ultra-modern matte black everything trend emptied my renovation budget. What magazines showcased as timeless suddenly screamed “2018” just two years later.
Fingerprints showed constantly despite special cleaners. Updating meant replacing everything since nothing matched standard replacements. Kitchen renovations should prioritize longevity over fleeting trends—a costly lesson learned through daily regret.
18. All-Glass Shower in a Cold Climate
Architects rarely mention how freezing glass surfaces feel during winter months. My stunning shower became a torture chamber from November through March despite heated floors beneath.
Steam evaporated instantly against cold surfaces, creating disappointing shower experiences. Constant cleaning to prevent water spots became another unexpected chore. Beauty shouldn’t trump comfort in spaces used daily—form following function matters most.
19. Low-Slung Modern Furniture
Midcentury-inspired seating looked incredible in photos but proved punishing to actual human bodies. Guests politely suffered through dinner parties while secretly longing for proper back support.
Getting up from these low seats required gymnastic abilities nobody warned me about. Style points mean nothing when comfort is sacrificed. Now I test-sit everything extensively before purchasing, prioritizing ergonomics alongside aesthetics.
20. Open Concept Everything
Knocking down walls between kitchen, dining and living areas created a massive space that amplified every sound. Cooking smells traveled everywhere, and privacy became nonexistent.
Family members couldn’t escape noise from others’ activities. Heating and cooling costs skyrocketed without interior walls to create temperature zones. Sometimes traditional room divisions exist for good reasons that transcend passing design trends.
