12 things an interior designer with over 10 years of experience wouldn’t have in her own space

Vintage decor can add personality to your home — and typically features better craftsmanship.

But according to Lang, too many antiques can make a space feel dated and unlivable.

“I like to integrate vintage items sparingly while mixing and matching with modern decor,” she told BI. “It’s a great way to keep your favorite one-of-a-kind pieces without dating your space.”

Open kitchen shelving is a trend that’s slowly dying out, according to Lang.

“Unless you have uniform plates, glassware, and bowls that are perfectly positioned, open shelving isn’t realistic or practical,” she told BI. “It’s also an easy way for your kitchen items to collect dust.”

If you’re dying to refresh your kitchen, the designer recommended painting or updating the hardware on your existing cabinetry.

“I would never put acrylic furniture in my home,” Lang said. “On top of being a trend that should stay in the 1960s, acrylic isn’t as durable as other materials and small cracks or scratches can’t be easily repaired.”

Whether you’re looking for a vintage coffee table or a new set of dining chairs, the designer recommended opting for wood or marble for a more timeless touch.

With wooden furniture, you can always add a fresh coat of paint for a refresh as well, she added.

Lang said warm lighting is essential for making your space feel cozy and truly like home.

“Harsh lighting can make your space feel sterile,” she told BI. “So I recommend replacing fluorescent bulbs with soft white or incandescent bulbs, which emit a warm, golden light.”

“Wall hangings and decor featuring inspirational quotes — or really any words at all — is a trend synonymous with the modern-farmhouse look we should collectively leave behind,” Lang told BI.

The designer recommended looking for something more original, such as prints of landscapes, vintage oil paintings, or even colorful abstract artwork to create contrast in a room.

According to Lang, another modern-farmhouse trend she avoids is distressed furniture.

The designer said some rustic touches are OK, but large pieces of furniture with faux wear and tear can overwhelm a space.

For a more modern take, the designer recommended choosing pieces with raw finishes and natural textures, such as jute, bouclé, and linen.

Although paper shades are helpful when you’re moving into a new home, Lang said, there are plenty of affordable window treatments you can invest in to elevate your space — especially when it comes to drapery.

“A trick I like to tell my clients is to invest in high-quality curtain rods and rings to make your curtains look higher end,” she told BI.

According to Lang, rugs that are too small can make a living room feel unbalanced.

“I like to think of a rug as the anchor of a living room,” she said. “It’s meant to ground the seating area and be the focal point that draws people in.”

Her general rule of thumb is that it should either be big enough to fit two legs of each piece of furniture or at least 6 inches wider than the length of the sofa on each side.

The matchy-matchy design trend lacks character and can come off as boring.

“Mismatched, eclectic decor allows for your personal style to really come through in your home’s design,” the designer told BI.

It can also save you money in the long run by providing you with more flexibility on where to shop.

According to Lang, a tufted sofa — typically featuring buttons sewn into diamond or square patterns — is too bulky and can make a space feel crowded.

“Instead, I recommend going for something that is lighter and provides more flow to your living room, such as a sculptural or curved sofa,” she told BI.

The designer said a properly proportioned couch can make the space feel more inviting and pleasing to the eye.

The rustic trend, which features wood paneling on interior walls, has some style benefits. But the designer said it’s overdone and dated.

“It’s also impractical — if a piece of shiplap gets damaged, it can be difficult and expensive to fix depending on the extent of the damage,” she told BI.

If you want to lean into a more rustic home design, Lang recommended limewash paint, which has a streaky effect.

“Limewash gives you the opportunity to add dimension with different brushstroke patterns that give your walls an old-world, vintage feel,” she said.

“If you’re lucky enough to purchase a home that has original flooring, absolutely do not replace it with laminate flooring,” Lang told BI.

If your flooring needs a little love, the designer said, refinishing hardwood is a very manageable DIY project that will pay off in the long run.

It can also add value to your home if you ever want to resell.

Click to keep reading other things interior designers say they would (or would never) have in their own space.