5 Things Your Home Doesn't Need, According to Designers

Sometimes, less is more.

If you're renovating or re-decorating your home, you probably have a lot on your mind. You might have an idea of all the things you should buy and do. But what about the things you shouldn't? Knowing which items or projects are worth it can truly take your home to the next level—and save you time and money. So, don't click “add to cart” or start re-arranging your furniture just yet. Here are seven things your home doesn’t need, according to interior designers.

Related: 8 Items You Can Get Rid of Right Now—and You Won't Regret It Later

Matching Furniture Sets

While there’s no denying buying a matching sofa, loveseat, and accent chair is easy and convenient, interior designers will tell you matching sets are a big no. “As much as I like a matchy matchy moment, everyone should stay away from perfectly matching furniture," explains interior designer Amy Switzer. "Matching furniture sets can make a space feel sterile and less personalized."

Decor Filling Every Inch of Space

Sure, a home without much furniture and decor can feel boring, but the opposite approach makes a space feel cluttered. “While a home should incorporate decorative elements, adding too many can easily overwhelm a space,” says interior designer Audrey Scheck.

She recommends having a less is more mindset by leaving negative space. “This will create a more balanced vignette by allowing individual pieces to have their moment to shine," Scheck says. "Incorporating a few statement pieces in different shapes and sizes will create visual interest and infuse personality to your home.”

Switzer advises investing in timeless and quality pieces that you love and then can adapt to the evolving trends with smaller decor items that are easily interchangeable.

Related: How to Declutter Every Room in Your Home—Fast

Large Collections on Display

While collecting things is fun, those collections don't always translate well into creating a cozy and inviting home. Collections can overwhelm a space and make it feel cluttered. “Once you graduate college, I promise you that you do not need the full shelves of the around-the-world shot glasses that you collected from travels,” Switzer explains.

Instead, store those away in your kitchen and take them out for those celebratory moments.

Mass Produced Artwork

If you're trying to fill your walls quickly, you may be tempted to just buy the first art you see online—but this can backfire. “Try to stay away from generic or mass-produced artwork, it can lack personality and fail to reflect individual taste,” says Switzer. “There are so many artisans around the world that offer affordable one-of-a-kind artwork that can be personalized to your taste.”

However, if you mostly have mass-produced art, that doesn’t mean you should get rid of it entirely.  “Mixing in original art will infuse more character and charm into your home," Switzer says. "You can find affordable, unique pieces by visiting your local antique or flea market or by purchasing from small businesses.”

There are so many places to buy art from independent artists including Etsy, the gorgeously-curated Artfully Walls, or Big Wall Decor for larger pieces.

An Abundance of Pillows

When it comes to pillows, according to Switzer, you can have too much of a good thing. “As much as I love decorative pillows, too many can be impractical. It's important to have a few curated pillows that balance color and texture without overwhelming the space.”

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