My Biggest Home Decor Regrets: 6 Items I’d Avoid Buying Again

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Regret #1: The Wrong Kind of Rug

Rugs are one of the most difficult items to purchase for a home. They’re large, expensive, and interact with every other piece of furniture in the space. Getting the color, texture, and pattern right is a huge challenge, especially when you're often viewing them online. For me, rugs have been the source of my most frequent regrets.

The Jute Rug Trap

I once bought a jute rug for our living room because I liked the natural color and the affordable price. While jute is durable and great for high-traffic areas like an entryway, it’s not a comfortable material for a lounge space. It's scratchy underfoot, which was a dealbreaker for someone like me who loves walking around barefoot. We eventually had to layer a smaller, softer wool rug on top of it just to make the space feel cozy.

The Slippery Flatweave

Another mistake was buying those very thin, flatweave rugs. While they are budget-friendly, they are incredibly high-maintenance. They move and bunch up every time you or your pet walks on them. I felt like I was constantly fixing and repositioning the rug, which was the opposite of the low-maintenance home I want to create.

Pro-Tip: If you love the look of a flatweave rug, you absolutely need a quality rug pad. Don't go for the cheap, rubbery ones—they don't work well. Invest in a thicker, felt rug pad. It will grip the floor, hold the rug in place, and add a welcome layer of cushion underfoot.

The High-Maintenance Tassel

Rugs with long tassels are a classic design choice, but they can be incredibly annoying. The tassels get messy, kicked around, and flipped over constantly. I found myself "finger-combing" the tassels on our rug every other day to make it look neat for photos or just for my own sanity. A little tassel can add nice texture, but I'd recommend keeping them shorter than two inches. The rug I have now has a short tassel that stays in place and doesn't bother me at all.

Regret #2: Falling for Uncomfortable 'Accent' Seating

I have been a victim of the "looks over comfort" trap, especially with seating. I used to collect accent chairs that were beautiful but deeply uncomfortable. While this might be fine for a rarely used corner chair, your primary lounge furniture—your couch and main chairs—needs to be comfortable.

Even my current couch, which I love aesthetically, becomes uncomfortable after about two hours. By the end of a long movie, my lower back isn't happy. This is a minor regret, but it taught me a valuable lesson.

A major trend I would personally avoid is the low-back couch. They may look chic and minimalist on social media, but they offer virtually no head or back support. I once sat in a famous Mario Bellini-style sofa and can confirm it was not built for lounging. I’ve seen social media videos where people dramatically "fall back" onto their new, stylish couch, only to bounce off it like it's a firm box. It may be pretty, but it’s not a place you want to relax.

What to look for instead? My dream couch is from a Japanese brand called Truck Furniture. It's simple, classic, and looks incredibly plush and comfortable with its corduroy fabric. I even watched Japanese YouTube reviews to see how people sat in it! While it's out of my price range for now, it represents the ideal: a perfect blend of timeless style and genuine comfort.

Regret #3: The Glass Coffee Table

I initially chose a glass coffee table to balance the wood, plants, and earthy tones in my living room. The transparency helped the space feel less heavy. However, the practical reality of a glass coffee table is a nightmare.

Here’s why I wouldn’t buy one again:

Constant Dust: It shows every single speck of dust. You can wipe it down, and it will look dusty again in a day.

Fingerprints Galore: Every touch leaves a smudge.

Scratches Easily: Scratches on glass are far more obvious than on wood because of how they catch the light.

Feels Fragile: I was always cautious around it. A coffee table is a high-traffic piece where you constantly set things down, and having a material that feels like it could break creates a subtle sense of stress.

Switching to a solid wood coffee table was a game-changer. It feels sturdy, and I’m less concerned about minor wear and tear. A little scratch or scuff is a sign of life, and it’s freeing to let go of the need for pristine furniture.

Regret #4: Underestimating the Power of Pleated Curtains

For years, I avoided pleated curtains because I assumed they were more expensive and difficult to install. I knew nothing about them, but they looked so high-end that I figured they were out of reach. That was a big mistake.

Pleated curtains instantly elevate a room. The structured pleats add a beautiful design detail, create neat vertical lines that make the room feel taller, and look so much more intentional and tidy than standard rod-pocket or tab-top curtains.

You don't need a custom drapery budget to get this look. You can find fantastic options on Etsy (which is where I got mine for the living and dining rooms). Even better, you can create your own with IKEA curtains. Simply buy their curtains, a set of pleating pins, and a ceiling-mounted track. This simple hack will make your space look significantly more polished and professional.

Regret #5: A Haphazard Collection of Plant Pots

As someone who loves both home decor and plants, I struggled to make my large plant collection look cohesive instead of cluttered. I would see beautifully curated, plant-filled spaces on Pinterest and wonder what their secret was.

The answer is cohesive pottery. When you have a lot of plants, creating a unified look with your planters is key. This doesn't mean every pot has to be identical, but they should "speak the same language."

Consider these strategies:

Similar Material: Grouping plants in all terracotta, all ceramic, or all brass pots.

Consistent Color Palette: Sticking to pots in neutral shades (white, black, beige) or a specific color family.

Shared Style: Using pots that all have a similar shape or texture.

When I was preparing for a photo shoot, I put several different succulents in similar Hasami porcelain planters. As a group, they looked fantastic—organized, intentional, and aesthetically pleasing. Thinking about your pots as a collection rather than individual containers will make your indoor jungle look less like a random mess and more like a designed space.

Regret #6: Not Choosing the Right Bedding Material

This is a lesson for anyone who shares a bed. My partner, Chris, sleeps hot, and I sleep cool. For years, we struggled with him being too warm while I was bundled up. The problem wasn't the comforter; it was the material of our sheets.

When we finally switched to 100% linen bedding, it solved our issues almost overnight. Linen is a fantastic thermoregulating fabric—it's breathable and cooling for a hot sleeper but still keeps a cold sleeper cozy and warm. It’s been the perfect material for us.

Whether it’s linen, percale cotton for coolness, or brushed flannel for warmth, don't underestimate the impact the right fabric can have on your quality of sleep. It’s a small detail that makes a huge difference in daily comfort.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Are jute rugs a bad idea for every room?

A: Not at all! Jute rugs are very durable and excellent for high-traffic areas where you won't be barefoot often, such as entryways, mudrooms, or even under a dining table. The main regret is using one in a primary living space where comfort and softness are a priority.

Q: How can I make my curtains look more high-end on a budget?

A: The best way is to create a pleated look. Buy inexpensive curtains (like IKEA's RITVA or LILL), a ceiling-mounted track (like IKEA's VIDGA), and pleating hooks/pins. Hanging your curtains high and wide—from the ceiling and extending well beyond the window frame—also creates a more dramatic, luxurious feel.

Q: What's a good alternative to a glass coffee table?

A: Wood coffee tables are a fantastic, durable alternative that adds warmth to a space. Other great options include stone or marble (though they can be porous), metal, or even an upholstered ottoman that can double as seating and a soft surface (use a tray on top for drinks).

Q: Is a sectional couch a decorating mistake?

A: Absolutely not! While some designers on social media dislike them, sectionals are incredibly comfortable and practical, especially for families or couples who like to lounge together. A better approach might be a sofa with a separate, movable ottoman, which offers similar comfort with more flexibility in arranging your room. The most important thing is choosing what works for your lifestyle.