Buzz
Image Credit: Pieter Estersohn/Getty ImagesWorking with an interior designer can feel daunting and exposing. You may fear they’ll demand you discard all your belongings and begin anew. In truth, designers often advocate for retaining distinctive and sentimental items, such as your grandmother’s vintage cabinet or that eye-catching mirror you bought on discount. Yet, certain pieces are consistently flagged by designers for removal—usually those that clash with the space, the aesthetic, or the practical requirements of the household.
"Starting a home design from scratch is a privilege few can afford," remarks Shay Holland, an interior designer and HGTV personality. "Frequently, we make impulsive or fashionable buys simply to occupy our rooms. We cling to purposeless objects to escape the void, even though what we truly need is space to refine our creative ideas."
If you're aiming to enhance your home's design and eliminate items that don't complement your space, here are the top pieces designers frequently advise their clients to remove.
Matching Furniture Sets
Although purchasing a matching sofa, sectional, and loveseat set might seem like a bargain, it doesn’t always align with the desired aesthetic. "Nothing feels more impersonal and lifeless than identical furniture sets straight from a showroom," Holland explains. "Your home should reflect your individuality, not a retailer’s catalog. Opt for a mix of pieces that bring depth and personality to your space."
If you’re hesitant to replace a chair or sofa that’s still in great shape and fits well, consider reupholstering it or using a slipcover to give it a fresh look instead of discarding it entirely.
Mass-Produced Decor
Mass-produced decor and artwork lack excitement and fail to enhance your home's appeal, according to Holland. "Even with messy pets or energetic kids, cheap, factory-made decor is a poor fit for your home and the environment," she notes. "Consider donating, discarding, or giving away generic, plastic, and MDF [medium-density fiberboard] items whenever possible."
Instead, Holland recommends investing time in collecting unique, handmade, vintage, or heirloom pieces that reflect your personal story. "Add warmth and character by embracing the natural flaws in materials like hand-carved wood or honed stone," she suggests.
Builder-Grade Selections
Designers often dislike builder-grade selections. For those unfamiliar, builder grade refers to standard finishes in new homes, such as basic cabinet hardware and laminate countertops. These items are typically purchased in bulk by developers to save costs, but they lack creativity and individuality.
"Eliminating builder-grade elements can dramatically transform a home," Holland states. "Elevate your space from ordinary to extraordinary with simple DIY projects, like changing cabinet hardware, replacing switch plates and outlet covers, adding window treatments, or painting walls—no structural changes needed. Even renters can benefit from these reversible upgrades."
High-Maintenance Pieces
While you may adore a fragile chair or a sofa crafted from a material that can’t withstand the chaos of young children, these pieces often create more hassle than value. "We frequently get swept up in trends or luxurious choices that are hard to maintain, such as mirrored or reflective items popular in the Art Deco style," Holland explains.
Such pieces demand excessive upkeep. "Unless you enjoy constant dusting and wiping away fingerprints, these surfaces aren’t worth the effort," she adds. "Options like high-pile carpet in a beach house or a sharp-edged glass coffee table in a home with young kids are simply impractical. Consider how you want to spend your time and eliminate anything that doesn’t align with your lifestyle or vision."
Poor Window Treatment Choices
Ashley Macuga from Collected Interiors notes that shutters are among the top items she removes from clients' homes. "I understand they were a significant investment in the early 2000s, but they obstruct natural light and conceal the charm of interior windows," she says. "The transformation of a space after their removal is remarkable."
After removing shutters, she prefers to add pattern and texture by opting for Roman shades or drapes.
Lindsie Davis from Blueberry Jones Design also emphasizes the importance of replacing poor window treatments. "Insufficient panels, odd lengths, or poorly placed hardware don’t just detract from your windows—they disrupt the entire room’s balance," she explains. "Treat drapery as the frame for both your room and the outside view. When executed well, it enhances the space. When done poorly, it becomes the most noticeable flaw."
Lifeless Throw Pillows
Even if you adore your throw pillows, they don’t last forever. "Flat, shapeless pillows do nothing to enhance your sofa," Davis remarks. "If you’re unsure, it’s likely time for a refresh—whether that means new covers, down-filled inserts, or both. This small change can dramatically alter the feel of a living area."
Anything Damaged
Damaged items detract from your home’s appeal, as noted by Carly Filbin of Blue Jay Interiors. "This includes sofas ruined by your cat’s claws, tables chewed by your dog, or even your grandmother’s settee that you avoid sitting on," she explains. "If an item is irreparably damaged or uncomfortable, it’s no longer functional. Replace it with something you’ll truly enjoy and use."
Inappropriately Sized Items
Proper scale is essential for crafting a beautiful and inviting home, whether for furniture or decor. "We advise removing pieces that make a space feel cluttered," Filbin states. "Overcrowded rooms leave no visual breathing room, often caused by walls covered in decor or knickknacks scattered everywhere. Instead, we recommend grouping items thoughtfully and intentionally to create balance."
This principle also applies to elements like light fixtures. "Fixtures that are too large or too small will stand out for the wrong reasons," the designer adds.
