<p class="ingestion featured-caption">As an interior decorator, there are a few items I'd avoid putting in a summer home.Andreas von Einsiedel/Getty Images</p><ul class="summary-list"><li>As an <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/backyard-mistakes-you-should-never-make-from-interior-decorator-2024-8">interior decorator</a>, I use durable materials and practical designs in a summer home.</li><li>Pedestal sinks aren't functional in vacation homes where storage space is crucial.</li></ul><p>If you're lucky enough to have a beach house or lakeside property, you know that designing it involves more than just aesthetics — it's about <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/interior-designers-share-rules-you-should-never-break-2019-11">creating a beautiful space</a> that can withstand the wear and tear of family and friends.</p><p>Seeing that summer homes are a costly investment — on average, a US vacation home <a target="_blank" href="https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/home/buying-a-vacation-home/">costs $429,000</a> — it's important to ensure you're decorating your space with durable yet welcoming pieces.</p><p>As an interior decorator, I've seen the repercussions of failing to choose practical decor or furniture. Here are eight <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-interior-decorator-would-never-have-in-home-in-2024">things I'd never put in my vacation home</a>.</p>