16 Pieces Of Furniture You Should Never Buy, According To Interior Designers

We’ve all been there – falling for a gorgeous piece of furniture only to regret it months later. Interior designers see these buying mistakes repeatedly in their clients’ homes. From impractical materials to outdated trends, certain furniture items consistently disappoint their owners.

I’ve gathered expert advice on which pieces you should avoid to save yourself money, space, and future headaches.

1. Futons That Double As Beds

Ever tried sleeping on a futon for more than two nights? Your back probably still remembers the pain! These space-saving solutions promise comfort in two forms but deliver it in neither.

Most futons use thin mattresses that compress quickly, leaving you with an uncomfortable sleeping and sitting surface. For guest rooms or studio apartments, you’re better off investing in a quality sleeper sofa with a real mattress inside.

2. Glass-Topped Coffee Tables

Fingerprints, dust, and constant cleaning – that’s the reality of owning a glass coffee table. While they might look sleek and modern in showrooms, they quickly become maintenance nightmares in real homes.

Safety concerns also make these tables problematic, especially in households with children or active pets. The edges can cause injuries, and the entire surface poses a breaking hazard. Wood, stone, or upholstered ottoman tables offer more practical alternatives.

3. Oversized Sectional Sofas

You might think bigger is better for family movie nights, but mammoth sectionals often swallow rooms whole! These furniture behemoths frequently look disproportionate in average-sized living spaces.

Moving day becomes a nightmare with these unwieldy pieces. They’re nearly impossible to navigate through doorways or up staircases. Consider instead a standard sofa with coordinating loveseats or chairs that can be rearranged as needed and won’t lock you into a single room configuration.

4. Particle Board Anything

Bargain furniture might seem like a good deal initially, but particle board pieces are relationship material – they just don’t last! This compressed wood product crumbles when exposed to moisture and can’t handle weight or movement.

The edges chip easily, and once damaged, they’re nearly impossible to repair effectively. Even worse, many particle board pieces emit formaldehyde and other chemicals. Solid wood might cost more upfront, but the longevity and durability make it a smarter investment.

5. All-White Upholstered Dining Chairs

Nothing shows every spill, stain, and smudge quite like pristine white fabric around a dining table! These chairs look stunning in magazines but quickly become disaster zones in real households where people actually eat.

Red wine, pasta sauce, and coffee don’t forgive white fabrics. Performance fabrics in medium tones or patterns mask everyday wear much better. If you love the light look, consider washable slipcovers or opt for cream or light gray instead of pure white.

6. Trendy Accent Chairs You Can’t Actually Sit In

Sure, that sculptural accent chair with the bizarre angles looks like modern art, but try sitting in it for more than five minutes! Furniture should serve its primary function first, with aesthetics coming second.

Many trendy chairs sacrifice comfort completely for visual impact. Your living room needs seating that welcomes conversation and relaxation. Before purchasing any chair, always test it out – sit fully back, cross your legs, and imagine spending an evening there.

7. Oversized Executive Desks

Those massive mahogany executive desks might scream success in corporate offices, but they’re space-hogging dinosaurs in most homes. Modern work requires flexibility, not furniture that dominates an entire room.

These desks often lack proper cable management for today’s technology needs. For home offices, consider streamlined writing desks or adjustable height options that adapt to different tasks. Your workspace should inspire productivity without overwhelming your home’s proportions.

8. Matching Furniture Sets

Walking into a room where everything perfectly matches feels like visiting a furniture showroom, not a lived-in home. Those bedroom or living room sets where every piece coordinates exactly create a flat, uninteresting space lacking personality.

Designers recommend building collections over time with complementary pieces rather than identical ones. Mix wood tones, incorporate different textures, and select pieces that speak to you individually. Your home should tell your unique story, not the furniture store’s.

9. Cheap Leather Sofas

That suspiciously affordable “leather” sofa is hiding a secret – it’s probably bonded leather, which is essentially vinyl with some leather scraps mixed in! Unlike genuine full-grain leather that develops character with age, these imposters crack and peel within years.

The surface layer starts flaking off, leaving you with unsightly patches and constant mess. If real leather exceeds your budget, choose an honest fabric sofa instead. Quality microfiber or performance fabrics often outlast cheap leather alternatives by many years.

10. Dining Tables With Pedestal Bases

Gather around a pedestal table with six adults and watch the wobbling begin! Single-column supports often lack stability, especially in larger dining tables where weight distribution becomes problematic.

These designs typically offer less legroom than four-legged alternatives. The central column forces diners to navigate around it when sitting down. For everyday family dining, tables with multiple support points provide better stability and accommodate more comfortable seating arrangements without the dreaded wobble during dinner.

11. Beds Without Headboards

Platform beds without headboards might look minimalist and modern, but they create practical problems you’ll notice immediately. Without a headboard, pillows constantly fall behind the bed during the night, disrupting your sleep.

Reading or watching TV in bed becomes uncomfortable without back support. Walls behind headboard-less beds also show wear quickly from body oils and friction. Even a simple upholstered headboard makes a significant difference in both comfort and room aesthetics.

12. Over-the-Toilet Storage Units

Those flimsy metal frames designed to maximize bathroom storage rarely survive daily life. They’re notorious for rusting in bathroom humidity and becoming unstable with regular use.

Items stored on these units are vulnerable to toilet splash (yuck!). A better solution? Wall-mounted cabinets or floating shelves installed away from the toilet provide cleaner, more stable storage. If floor space allows, a proper bathroom cabinet offers storage without the hygiene concerns.

13. Papasan Chairs

Remember struggling to get in and out of these bowl-shaped chairs without tipping over? Papasan chairs might trigger nostalgic college memories, but they’re impractical space-wasters in most homes.

The round shape doesn’t fit efficiently against walls, and the cushions constantly need readjusting. Getting up gracefully becomes nearly impossible for older adults or anyone with mobility issues. Modern accent chairs provide the same cozy feel with better stability and space efficiency.

14. Ornate Carved Wooden Bed Frames

Those intricate wooden posts and headboards collect dust in every crevice, turning your bedroom into a cleaning nightmare! Detailed carving creates countless small spaces that are nearly impossible to clean properly.

Beyond maintenance issues, these frames often feel overwhelming in average bedrooms and can make spaces feel smaller. Modern bedroom design favors simpler, cleaner lines that create a more restful environment. If you love wood, consider streamlined platform beds or simple sleigh designs instead.

15. Nesting Tables You Never Actually Nest

The concept seems clever – multiple tables that tuck neatly together when not in use. In reality, these nesting tables usually end up permanently separated around the room, defeating their space-saving purpose entirely.

Individual tables are often too small to be practical on their own. The different heights can create awkward proportions when used separately. If you need occasional extra surface space, consider a single quality side table with proper dimensions or a coffee table with integrated storage.

16. Bean Bag Chairs

Adults sliding off these amorphous blobs while trying to have a conversation is never a dignified sight! Bean bag chairs lack proper back support and quickly lose their shape, becoming flat, sad puddles of fabric.

The filling inevitably breaks down and compresses unevenly. When beans escape (and they will), they scatter everywhere. For casual seating that’s actually comfortable, floor poufs, structured gaming chairs, or small-scale armchairs provide better support while still offering relaxed seating options.