13 Home Items You May Want To Stop Buying Experts Reveal The Biggest Decor And Furniture Money Wasters

Have you ever bought something for your home that ended up collecting dust or falling apart way too soon? You’re definitely not alone.

Many shoppers get drawn in by stylish displays or online photos, only to realize those pieces don’t hold up in real life. I’ve gathered some expert insights on what types of décor and furniture to think twice about before buying.

These recommendations are based on general design principles and practical experience, but of course, personal taste and lifestyle will play a big role in what works best for your home.

1. Matching Furniture Sets

When you walk into a furniture store, those perfectly coordinated sets seem like the easy choice. But here’s the thing: they often make your home look like a showroom instead of a lived-in space. Experts say mixing different pieces creates more personality and visual interest.

These sets also cost more than buying individual items over time. You’re paying extra for the convenience of having everything match. Plus, if one piece gets damaged, you can’t replace it without the whole set looking odd.

Instead, I recommend choosing pieces you genuinely love separately. Mix textures, colors, and styles to create a unique look that reflects your personality rather than a catalog page.

2. Decorative Throw Pillows

It’s tempting to grab every cute pillow you see at the store. Those trendy patterns and fun sayings call your name from across the aisle. But most of us end up with a couch so packed with pillows that there’s no room to actually sit down.

Throw pillows can be surprisingly expensive, especially the fancy ones. Before you know it, you’ve spent hundreds of dollars on cushions that end up on the floor every single night. They also need regular cleaning and fluffing to stay nice.

Stick to just two or three quality pillows that actually add comfort. Choose neutral colors that won’t clash when you redecorate, and you’ll save money in the long run.

3. Trendy Wall Art

Those mass-produced signs with sayings like “Live, Laugh, Love” are everywhere these days. Sure, they’re cheap and fill empty wall space quickly. However, experts warn that trendy art loses its appeal fast and makes your home look cookie-cutter.

What’s popular today will likely embarrass you in a year or two. I’ve seen countless homes where dated wall art screams a specific time period rather than timeless style. These pieces rarely hold any personal meaning either.

Instead, invest in art that speaks to you personally. Family photos, local artists’ work, or even your own creations make much better choices. Your walls should tell your story, not repeat what everyone else has.

4. Seasonal Décor Collections

If you’re like many people, you probably have bins stuffed with holiday decorations for every season. Stores make it so easy to buy entire collections of themed items. But all that seasonal stuff requires serious storage space and money.

Most seasonal décor gets used for just a few weeks each year. Then it sits in your attic or garage taking up valuable room. The constant buying of new seasonal trends also drains your wallet faster than you realize.

Choose a few classic, versatile pieces that work across multiple seasons. Natural elements like branches, pinecones, and neutral-colored items can be styled differently throughout the year. You’ll save space, money, and decorating time.

5. Oversized Sectional Sofas

How often have you dreamed of a huge, comfy sectional? They look amazing in furniture showrooms with their cathedral ceilings and massive floor plans. Unfortunately, most homes can’t actually accommodate these giants comfortably.

Sectionals dominate small spaces and make rooms feel cramped rather than cozy. They’re also incredibly difficult to move through doorways and up stairs. If you ever relocate or want to rearrange, you might find it won’t fit in your new space at all.

Measure your room carefully and consider a regular sofa with a separate chair instead. This gives you flexibility to rearrange and adapt as your needs change over the years.

6. Faux Plants That Look Fake

Are you tired of killing houseplants? Fake plants seem like the perfect solution. But cheap artificial plants with shiny plastic leaves fool absolutely nobody. They scream “fake” from across the room and collect dust like crazy.

Low-quality faux plants actually make your space look cheaper rather than adding the fresh vibe you want. They require regular cleaning to avoid looking grimy. Plus, you miss out on the actual air-purifying benefits real plants provide.

Either invest in realistic, high-quality artificial plants or choose easy-care real ones like pothos or snake plants. Real plants that thrive with minimal effort will always look better than obvious fakes cluttering your shelves.

7. Glass Coffee Tables

Though glass coffee tables look sleek and modern in magazines, they’re a nightmare in real life. Every fingerprint, dust particle, and water ring shows up instantly. You’ll spend more time cleaning than actually enjoying your furniture.

If you have kids or pets, glass tables become even more problematic. They’re dangerous when broken and show every scratch over time. The constant maintenance required makes them impractical for most households.

Wood or stone tables with interesting textures hide daily wear much better. They’re safer, require less upkeep, and add warmth to your space. Save yourself the endless cleaning routine and choose a more forgiving material instead.

8. Expensive Candles

It’s easy to justify spending fifty dollars on a designer candle that smells incredible. The fancy packaging and brand name make it feel special. But you’re literally burning your money away within a few dozen hours.

Most expensive candles don’t actually last longer or smell better than mid-range options. You’re paying for marketing and pretty jars more than quality. Once the wax is gone, you’re left with nothing except maybe a container to repurpose.

Try affordable candles from reputable brands that focus on quality ingredients rather than fancy labels. Or explore wax melts and diffusers that make scents last longer. Your nose won’t know the difference, but your wallet certainly will.

9. Open Shelving For Everything

When Pinterest made open shelving popular, everyone wanted to rip out their cabinets. Those styled photos look amazing with perfectly arranged dishes and plants. But real life is messier, and open shelves quickly become cluttered dust magnets.

Everything on open shelves gets exposed to cooking grease, dust, and general grime. You’ll need to clean your dishes before using them, which defeats the purpose of storage. Plus, keeping shelves looking Instagram-worthy requires constant organizing and styling.

Mix open and closed storage for the best of both worlds. Display a few pretty items on open shelves while keeping everyday stuff hidden behind cabinet doors where it stays clean and organized.

10. Accent Walls With Bold Colors

Are you thinking about painting one wall bright purple or electric blue? Bold accent walls seem like an easy way to add personality without overwhelming a room. But trends change quickly, and that dramatic color will likely tire your eyes within months.

Painting over bold colors requires multiple coats of primer and paint, making it expensive to fix. These walls also make it harder to change your décor since everything must coordinate with that dominant color. You end up feeling stuck with your choice.

Choose accent walls with texture, wallpaper, or art instead of paint. These options let you express personality while remaining easier to change when your taste evolves naturally over time.

11. Decorative Vases And Bowls

If you’re honest, how many empty vases and bowls are sitting around your house right now? Stores make these items irresistible with their pretty shapes and colors. But most of us buy them without a clear purpose, and they become clutter.

These decorative pieces collect dust and take up valuable surface space. Unless you regularly buy fresh flowers or have a specific use, they’re just sitting there looking empty. The money spent on unused décor adds up surprisingly fast.

Only buy vases when you actually need them for flowers or plants. Choose multipurpose bowls that can hold keys, fruit, or other practical items. Every item in your home should serve a purpose beyond just filling space.

12. Matching Bathroom Sets

When you’re setting up a bathroom, those coordinated sets with matching soap dispensers, toothbrush holders, and trash cans seem perfect. Everything looks neat and organized. However, these sets lock you into one style and often include pieces you don’t actually need.

If one item breaks, you can’t replace just that piece without disrupting the whole look. You’re also paying extra for the matching design rather than quality or functionality. Many bathroom sets are made from cheap materials that crack or fade quickly.

Buy individual bathroom accessories based on what you actually use daily. Focus on quality over matching, and you’ll create a more personalized space that functions better for your specific needs.

13. Decorative Ladders

Have you noticed those trendy wooden ladders people use to drape blankets or hang plants? They photograph beautifully for social media. But in reality, they’re awkward, take up floor space, and serve no real purpose beyond looking rustic.

These ladders collect dust between rungs and make vacuuming around them frustrating. The blankets or items draped on them usually end up on the floor. You’re basically buying an obstacle that costs anywhere from thirty to over a hundred dollars.

Use your walls for hooks, shelves, or actual storage solutions instead. These functional options keep your floor clear and provide real organization. Style doesn’t have to mean sacrificing practicality or wasting money on props.