Interior designers share 10 popular trends that never look as good in real life

An all-white aesthetic may look polished in pictures, but Stacy Lewis, interior designer at Eternity Modern, told Insider that they don't show the whole story.

"When everything is brand new — the paint, the couch covers, pillows, curtains, etc. — the space truly looks, smells, and feels peaceful and heavenly," Lewis explained. "Give it a few weeks, and the vibe changes a lot."

The designer added that this style choice takes a lot of work to keep clean, especially if you have pets or kids.

Adding contact paper to countertops is a DIY trend, but interior designer Hilda Carroll said it's a choice worth reconsidering.

"In reality, it will take a great deal of time and precision to apply the contact paper perfectly," she explained. "The most likely result is a finish that has bubbles and maybe even creases."

Though she added that these flaws are less noticeable with the marble design than with the butcher-block pattern.

Pallet furniture — minimalist pieces mainly made of wood — may look creative and relaxing, but Andra DelMonico, lead interior designer at Trendey, said to approach the trend with caution.

"On social media and in pictures, pallet-wood furniture looks creative and comfortable with its large seating areas and plush pillows thrown on top," DelMonico said. "However, in real life, these sofas and chairs aren't that comfortable."

These pieces don't include springs like traditional furniture and lack support since many people buy pillows instead of seat cushions with a firm interior.

Instead of painting refrigerators and turning them into creative canvases, DelMonico recommended splurging on a colored appliance.

"If you want a colored, large kitchen appliance, just commit and buy one. Don't try to paint your current appliances," she told Insider.

You'd need to prepare and prime the surface before adding any paint, and even then, a brush or sponge can leave a streaky finish. Plus the coat likely won't hold up against scrubbing and cleaning in the long term.

Dark, moody bathrooms are trendy, but photos don't always reveal how difficult the upkeep can be, according to Hillary Stamm at HMS Interiors.

If you are going to opt for the trend, be mindful about where you include it.

"In children's bathrooms or any spaces that get heavy traffic, this can be a poor choice, as any nick or dent will show quickly," she explained. "A month after installation, we have a dented and banged-up, albeit new bathroom."

Julie Brayton, lead designer of Brayton Interiors, told Insider that no matter how trendy and fun an accent wall might seem, it may not be a good fit from a design perspective.

"While these can photograph nicely, oftentimes it really throws off the balance in a room when you're actually in it and can make the room feel unfinished and unconsidered," Brayton said.

You can still make a statement with other forms of art or unique decor.

Pieces that look lived-in, shabby-chic sofas can be challenging to take care of, according to Morgan Blinn, interior designer at Rumor Designs.

"Shabby chic sofas are all over TikTok right now. The worn-in look is great in photos, as they are staged for the moment, but in real life, this style sofa takes a lot of upkeep for something that is marketed to be 'effortlessly' chic," Blinn explained.

The cushions on these pieces often slip, so you'll likely need to consistently readjust them. Though some higher-end products include straps to keep them in place.

It might seem like mismatched dining chairs add variety and personality to a room, but interior designer Leah Atkins of Leah Atkins Design said this choice can look unintentional.

"Mismatched dining chairs are a cool idea in theory and can look fun and eclectic in pictures, but they tend to look messy in real life," Atkins said. "It just looks like you are living in a shared college living space where everyone brought their own chair."

Instead, opt for a matching set that fits the aesthetic of your space.

Many folks paint their kitchen cabinets when they need an upgrade, but Devin Shaffer, lead interior designer at Decorilla, advised thinking twice about this DIY project.

He said usually the trend looks "too good to be true."

"Oftentimes photos of people's DIY projects are taken right after they finish their project," Shaffer explained. "In the case of painted cabinets, they'll quickly start to peel, the dry paint will show bumps and drip lines, and will eventually lose their shine as grime and dirt start to collect on the improperly finished surface."

Shaffer told Insider that reupholstering furniture rarely ends up being as easy and seamless as it looks on social media.

"Shoving cushion filling into a vintage seating piece will turn into a mess, and I can guarantee you that about five minutes into the project, you'll get frustrated and end up discarding the entire piece and fabric," Shaffer said.

Even though he said reupholstered pieces "definitely look fabulous," he instead recommended buying a new sofa or chair, or hiring a professional to do the job, if your budget allows.