It's no secret that working from home has become far more commonplace since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
All this time at home — alongside high interest rates and a bleak housing market — has led to a focus on home renovation and decoration projects, with a 2024 Opendoor survey reporting that Americans spend an average of $1,599 on home decor annually.
And while so much of the internet has shared tips and hot takes on using that money to incorporate the latest design trends into your space, LA-based content creators Robert Gigliotti and Ethan Gaskill have taken a different approach.
The friends and collaborators have struck a chord on TikTok by sharing their least favorite home decor trends in a viral series called "home decor icks." The videos have highlighted everything from their dislike of food-themed decor and washable rugs to retro appliances and "quirky" art prints.
Gigliotti and Gaskill are not designers, but have self-taught eyes for design fostered by family experiences: Gigliotti's mother flipped houses while he was growing up, and Gaskill's mother was a real-estate agent and his father built custom homes. Together, their strong opinions have resonated with TikTok users to garner more than 3.5 million views.
"I think because, once again, this is a lot of stuff we've done ourselves, or we grew up with siblings that have done this, or parents, it's all things that people kind of agree on or relate to in a way, that they can kind of laugh about," Gaskill told Business Insider.
Gigliotti added, "We're not just saying, 'Don't get this ugly chair. You're pathetic.' We're trying to find ways to make everyone's life easier and have a space that's lasting, that's better for the environment because we're not throwing things away, making people happier."
Business Insider spoke with Gigliotti and Gaskill to hear more about what they think you should avoid when decorating kitchens, from overzealous DIY projects to perfectly curated countertops.