“Dismissing Them Is a Privileged Take”: People Are Explaining Why These Controversial Design Trends Actually Work for Them, and It Totally Checks Out

Interior design tastes are as varied as they come. While many speak in absolutes about today’s polarizing trends, the truth is... some people genuinely love them! More importantly, they have specific reasons for their choices—ones that are often overlooked in discussions about modern home aesthetics.

I reached out to members of the Mytour Community to share their honest takes on divisive home design trends they personally enjoy, and I have to say, their responses were refreshingly candid. Here are some of the most eye-opening insights I received.

Want to share your thoughts on these trends? Feel free to weigh in through the polls scattered throughout this post!

"I adore my open kitchen shelving, and that’s coming from someone with two cats and a dog. If you’re against it because you assume your dishes will be coated in pet hair and dust overnight, you clearly don’t get it. If you actually use your dishware, that’s never an issue. I love my collection, and my ‘stunning’ open shelves are usually the first thing guests compliment when they visit."

"I don’t agree with the criticism of open floor plans. It truly depends on your family dynamic. Our current home lacks an open layout, and we can’t stand it. I dislike feeling isolated while cooking, especially during holidays. Everyone gathers in the living room while I’m stuck alone in the kitchen—or they’re uncomfortably in my way. Open floor plans create a greater sense of space and connection."

—nicolecardwellnv

"Barn doors are a lifesaver for maximizing space. Dismissing them is an incredibly privileged perspective—only someone who has never dealt with tight living quarters would be against them."

"I prefer a microwave above the stove, and it drives me crazy when people renovate their kitchens, replace it with a hood, and shove the microwave into a lower cabinet. Now you have to bend down every time you use it—and worse, it turns into a toy for kids. In a compact kitchen, every inch of storage space is precious. This setup makes no sense to me, plus it costs more because you need to buy an additional appliance. As a kitchen and bath designer, I get that it looks sleek, but it’s just not practical for everyone."

—scon312

"Say whatever you want, but I’ll always choose a house with four ‘small’ bedrooms over one with two oversized ones. What exactly are people doing in their bedrooms—practicing ballet? Personally, I love the cozy feel of a smaller space. Plus, it means we can comfortably host our entire family when the holidays come around."

"I don’t get why people hate clear shower doors. Are you seriously telling me your friends and family just casually hang out in the bathroom while you’re showering behind frosted glass?! I’m not letting anyone in unless I have something completely opaque. Plus, my clear shower makes the space feel so much larger!"

—Caroline, 45, Georgia

"If I can’t mount my TV above the fireplace, then where exactly is it supposed to go?! If your neck hurts from watching it up there, maybe you’re just watching too much TV. Personally, I love how mine looks—and I even have one of those frame TVs that displays artwork when it’s off. Talk about sophistication!"

"As someone who’s a germophobe, I absolutely prefer having the toilet in a separate room from the rest of the bathroom. That’s standard in Japan, and I wish it were more common in the U.S. I just want to avoid airborne germs landing on my bath towels. Plus, it’s way more convenient when you live with someone—if one person needs to use the toilet while the other is showering, there’s no awkwardness. I can’t go if someone else is in the room, and I don’t want to see anyone else using the toilet either. As long as you only touch the door handle before washing your hands, germs aren’t a problem."

—[deleted]

"People complain about open kitchens because of the ‘mess,’ but honestly, who cares? When I host guests, cooking is part of the experience—everyone naturally gathers in the kitchen and enjoys the process together. Closing it off creates an unnecessary separation and pretends that the meal wasn’t a major effort. I think younger generations don’t care about maintaining a picture-perfect illusion—real life, including the mess, matters more."

10. "I understand why some dislike painting over brick, especially when it covers up quality stonework. But let’s be honest—some brick is just plain unattractive due to odd color variations and poor quality. When my husband and I bought our mid-century home, the fireplace was so dreadful it made me sick. After giving it a limewash, it completely transformed the space while keeping the brick’s great texture."

—Chelsea, 34

11. "Having a closet connected to the bathroom is a game-changer. Our main closet is accessed through the bathroom, and I couldn’t be happier. Since it has a door, it remains separate from the bathroom space. I love it because I wake up earlier for work than my husband, and this setup allows me to get dressed without disturbing him."

12. "I used to be completely against luxury vinyl plank flooring. But after moving into our new townhome, I’ve changed my mind. First, the texture and grain feel remarkably like real hardwood—there are some high-quality options out there! Second, it’s much easier on my feet and knees than the solid oak floors in our previous home. And third, with a toddler and a dog, I no longer have to stress over spills or scratches. This flooring is practically indestructible!"

—kvmarch

13. "I don’t know, man. Say whatever you want about black-painted houses, but after living in both light- and dark-colored homes, you couldn’t pay me to go back to a white one. I used to have to pressure-wash it every season just to keep it looking clean. Now, with our black exterior, I maybe wash it once every couple of years, and it still looks as good as new."

14. "I absolutely love my open staircase—it allows natural light to flow effortlessly through the house. When we installed it, we made sure to prioritize our granddaughters' safety by adding stainless steel rods horizontally between the steps. This keeps them from squeezing through while still preserving the airy, open feel."

—Ali, 73, California

15. "If I have to choose, I’ll take a laundry closet over a full laundry room any day. Who actually stands in the laundry room just to fold clothes? I much prefer bringing mine into the living room, getting comfy on the couch, and folding while watching TV. Way more enjoyable!"

16. "I don’t understand the complaints about quartz countertops. They’re incredibly durable, effortless to clean, and don’t require resealing like granite—or come with the upkeep issues of butcher block and concrete. With a wide variety of colors and patterns, they offer both style and practicality. Honestly, what better alternative are people even proposing?"

—A_Panda

17. "I’ll never understand why people are against carpet in bedrooms. It muffles sound when you get up at night, keeping your partner undisturbed. It’s soft underfoot when winding down or waking up. Plus, in winter, stepping onto a warm carpet beats dealing with freezing cold floors! Why the sudden hatred for carpet?"

18. "The outrage over stovetop pot fillers truly confuses me. 'Why install one if you still have to move the pot later?' That logic is like saying, 'Your waste ends up in the sewer anyway, so why not just go outside and do your business in a storm drain?' Absolutely ridiculous!"

—charityb4ea9eb60e

19. "The criticism of the 'modern farmhouse' style has gone completely overboard. Sure, they might not fit in every setting (they look a bit out of place in some Austin neighborhoods), but overall, I love the sleek yet classic design. Honestly, I think the loudest critics are just jealous of Joanna Gaines."

20. "Disliking exposed light bulb fixtures likely comes down to using the wrong bulbs. Edison bulbs can be too harsh, but swapping them for frosted ones offers a much softer, more ambient glow while keeping the fixture’s aesthetic intact. Take it from an electrician—you’ll see the difference."

—Anonymous

21. "Honestly, I don’t miss medicine cabinets in modern bathrooms—medicine should be kept in a dry environment anyway, and bathrooms are far too humid for proper storage."

22. "I truly don’t get why wallpaper fell out of favor. The older varieties were durable, washable, and perfect for families with kids. If a section got damaged, you could simply swap it out with an extra roll. Meanwhile, paint gets scuffed in no time, and patch jobs never blend seamlessly!"

—Mary A.

23. "What’s with all the farmhouse sink criticism? I’m absolutely getting one in my next house—I’m over trying to fit massive pots into a tiny sink!"

24. "Having a cooktop on my kitchen island is one of my favorite choices, even if some call it 'messy.' It lets me interact with my grandkids while flipping their Mickey Mouse pancakes—plus, it shows them that both Grandma and Grandpa can cook!"

—Mike, 66, Washington

25. "Some say wood trim is outdated, but I wholeheartedly disagree. When we built our home 36 years ago with a custom builder, we chose stunning 5-inch oak baseboards and wood-trimmed doors and cabinets. We refinished everything ourselves a decade ago, sanding and varnishing to preserve its beauty. Please, never paint over it—it’s irreplaceable."

26. "Doorless closets! People seem to despise them, but I absolutely love mine. I originally went without doors because of limited floor space—constantly opening and closing a door wasn’t practical. Now, they keep me more organized and have significantly reduced my daily stress."

—Claudia, 33

27. "I wouldn’t rely solely on overhead recessed lighting, but for those who complain about having too many pot lights—just install a dimmer switch! When we moved into a home with zero recessed lights, I quickly realized how frustrating it was not to have the option for bright illumination, whether for cleaning or searching for lost items. A dimmer switch lets you adjust the brightness to suit any need!"

28. "As a homebuilder, I get why people dislike new-build homes with entire walls missing windows. But in many cases, that’s due to fire codes—installing fire-rated glass is ridiculously expensive. No one wants to shell out an extra $10,000 for a single non-operable window!"

—raylewisblocker

29. "Why all the hate for high ceilings? The added openness and expansive views more than make up for any minor heating concerns."

30. "I find the simplicity of a neutral palette—gray, white, and beige—soothing and uncluttered. You can always add pops of color when needed, but older homes with vibrant hues feel overwhelming to me. There's just too much going on."

—Anonymous, 30, United Kingdom

31. And finally: "You'll have to wrestle my all-white kitchen from my lifeless hands. Your trendy navy blue cabinets may be 'outdated' in a decade, but my white kitchen will just be 'controversial.'"

Is there a bold design trend you absolutely love, even if it’s divisive? Share your thoughts in the comments below (or via this anonymous Google form) for a chance to be featured in an upcoming Mytour post.