7 overrated things in your home that you should avoid

When you renovate your home or decide to upgrade a sink or shower head, it can be hard to know what to pick and what may be overrated. You think you’ve made a great purchase but later become frustrated or annoyed and wish you have known what you know now. Even we designers can fall for things that seem great, but it turns out, after years of experience, we realize they are overrated.

You probably like some of the things on this list or use them regularly, but these are things that I have heard about, seen myself, or are just plain unnecessary for most people. Consider each of these overrated items for your home, and if any of the reasons don’t bother you, by all means, install them in your home.

Rain shower head

Rain shower heads remain popular, but they are the most overrated item. They are supposed to mimic rain, and it’s romanticized as this fantastic shower experience. But it’s not. There isn’t enough water pressure to rinse shampoo or conditioner, and they don’t feel romantic like being stuck out in the rain on vacation surrounded by beautiful vegetation. No, I’m sitting in the shower for 20 extra minutes, using up all my hot water trying to rinse shampoo out of my thick curly hair while the kids are freaking out. Instead select a shower head that fits your style or has features you want.

Massive kitchens

People often dream of a large kitchen; if I only had a lot more space, I could cook excellent meals. But the truth is, massive kitchens are just too big. You don’t need that much space to cook dinner or host people. What are you filling all those cabinets with? I’ve seen clients with a 25’x35′ kitchen, which is almost 900 sq ft, almost half the size of most homes. What could you need that much space for? I’ve also had clients show me a magazine cover with a massive kitchen, and I have to remind them that the kitchen they dream of is so big that they can’t fit something like that in their homes. About 350 sq feet is plenty to organize it well and have it function for daily life and entertaining, and I’ve never had a client wish for a larger space after their kitchen renovation. 

Pot fillers

I’ve mentioned this before, but pot fillers are just unnecessary. I see them in every luxury home, and I shake my head. One of my plumbing suppliers said they constantly have to replace parts because pot fillers break so often, yet they are costly. And I get it. You can put a pot on your stove and fill it with water, but you have to bring it over to the sink to empty the water after cooking pasta, for example. So how is this product bringing more convenience or helping to save time while preparing a meal? They can also be difficult to clean; think about it, the grease splatter from the cooktop, and then you have to clean it with soap and water, which ends up on your stove. 

Freestanding tub in primary bath

I’m not anti-freestanding tubs; they are beautiful and bring some luxury to a space. Not to mention, they make a great focal point when entering the bathroom, and you can frame them with the windows to have a view while bathing. But, most of the time, they are overrated. After all, I see them constantly covered in dust because people don’t use them. Homeowners want the pretty and expensive tub to create a focal point in their bathroom but admit they don’t take baths. You should have a tub in your primary bathroom if you take baths. If you don’t, go for a larger shower or closet, and don’t be excessive with a freestanding tub you will never use. 

Oversized appliances

I see oversized appliances a lot, especially on YouTube home tours, and the designer says my client hosts family a lot or has a large family and needs a giant oven or fridge. And that makes sense, but when you have the large 8-burner stove, you realize you don’t use them. Most of us need 4-5 burners to make a holiday meal. Many AD Open Door videos have celebrities tell us they never use the stove even though they have an expensive and large one sitting in their kitchen. As for large refrigerators, it can get quite ridiculous. I see people with 2 kids and a fridge that’s 6′ wide. It’s overrated because how can one family possibly fill a large fridge or use an oven that much? It simply makes people feel insecure and want more when they have plenty.

Cable railings

If you have a modern or Scandinavian home, go for a cable railing because it fits the style and aesthetic of the home. But the main reason I find cable railings overrated is because they don’t fit the style of the home. If you have a 1770s colonial and remove your existing traditional railing and replace it with a cable railing, it creates a disconnect and an odd detail to the exterior. Also, able railings require constant maintenance because the cables must be tightened regularly to prevent serious falls. People like cable railings because you get an uninterrupted view, but I disagree; you can still have a fantastic view with another railing style.

Vessel sinks

I’ve never selected a vessel sink for any of my clients because they are too much of a pain to clean. The most overrated aspect of these sinks is the assumption that they will bring a sophisticated element to the bathroom or bring in old-world charm, and yes, maybe some of them look good, but most of them are just okay looking and not worth the cleaning. And really, they are impossible to clean. You cannot get to the little gap between the countertop and the bottom of the sink. Even if you clean it daily, you can’t remove all the guck and slime.