15 Pricey Design “Mistakes” I’d Make Again And Again
Everyone warns about costly design decisions that might not be ‘worth it’ in your home. But here’s my confession: some splurges just make me happy, practical or not!
I’ve poured money into choices that designers might call mistakes, but the joy they bring to my space is priceless. Ready to hear which expensive ‘oops’ moments I’d gladly repeat?
1. Splurging on Custom Drapery
Nothing transforms a room quite like fabric flowing from ceiling to floor. Sure, I could’ve saved thousands with off-the-shelf options, but those perfect pleats and exact length make my windows look like magazine features.
Visitors always comment on how finished my rooms feel. Worth every penny of that eye-watering invoice!
2. Installing Real Marble Countertops
My contractor practically begged me to consider quartz instead. “Marble stains! It etches! You’ll regret it!” he warned dramatically.
Fast forward five years – yes, there are water rings and lemon juice marks. Each imperfection tells a story of family gatherings and holiday baking sessions. The patina only adds character!
3. Choosing Statement Lighting Over Practical Fixtures
Friends questioned my sanity when I spent a month’s mortgage on that sculptural chandelier. “But will it provide enough light?” they asked skeptically.
Honestly? It doesn’t. I added lamps later. Yet every evening when I flip the switch, that warm glow around my art piece ceiling fixture makes me smile. Practicality is overrated!
4. Opting for Wallpaper in a Small Powder Room
My wallet wept when I fell for that hand-painted botanical wallpaper. For a room barely larger than a closet, the price per square foot was astronomical!
But walking into that jewel box space brings pure joy. Guests always linger longer than necessary, admiring details they’d never notice in plain painted walls.
5. Prioritizing Solid Wood Furniture
Veneer would have been the sensible choice for someone with active kids and pets. My dining table cost three times more than similar-looking options.
Seven years later, while friends replace their bubbled and peeling furniture, mine has developed a rich patina. Each scratch tells a story, and someday my grandchildren will gather around this very table.
6. Painting the Ceiling a Bold Color
My painter’s expression was priceless when I handed him the sample for my midnight blue ceiling. “You’ll make the room look tiny,” he warned, shaking his head.
Wrong! That rich color overhead creates unexpected depth. At night, it feels like looking into the night sky. Morning coffee under that dramatic canopy starts every day with a smile.
7. Investing in a Designer Sofa
Six thousand dollars for a couch seemed absolutely ridiculous. My spouse nearly fainted at the price tag! “We could buy used cars for that!”
But daily comfort shouldn’t be underestimated. After countless naps, movie nights, and sick days spent recovering on those perfect cushions, I’ve calculated the cost per sit down to pennies.
8. Building Floor-to-Ceiling Bookshelves
Carpenters don’t come cheap, and neither does all that wood and custom trim. My budget-conscious friends suggested simple freestanding shelves instead.
Yet nothing compares to the library feel of walls lined with books. Beyond storage, these shelves transformed a basic room into my home’s heart. Sometimes architecture matters more than furniture.
9. Hanging Oversized Art in a Tiny Room
According to design rules, small spaces need small art. So naturally, I purchased a massive canvas that barely fit through the doorway!
My tiny office now features wall-dominating artwork that cost more than my first car. Rather than overwhelming the space, it creates an unexpected focal point that makes the room feel intentional and special.
10. Adding a Freestanding Tub
Plumbing relocations cost a fortune, not to mention the tub itself.
Five years later, those Sunday evening soaks have become sacred rituals. Surrounded by candles with a good book, that tub has paid for itself in therapy-equivalent relaxation hours. Some luxuries become necessities.
11. Using Brass Fixtures Throughout
Unlacquered brass fixtures went into every bathroom and the kitchen—full commitment. They’ve aged beautifully, developed personality, and yes, I’d do it again.
Watching them develop rich patina in frequently touched areas while maintaining shine elsewhere creates depth no mass-produced finish could match.
12. Creating a Built-In Banquette
Custom upholstery plus carpentry made this breakfast nook astronomically expensive. Friends questioned dedicating so much budget to such a small area.
Now it’s where homework happens, morning coffee is savored, and late-night conversations unfold. The most-used square footage in my home! Sometimes the price per square inch is justified by moments per square inch.
13. Choosing Authentic Vintage Rugs
Reproductions were tempting, but the originals spoke louder. I chose the real deal, imperfections and all—and they still make my heart skip a beat.
But I know. Walking barefoot across wool that’s been softened by generations feels different. Faded colors tell stories new dyes can’t replicate. Some mornings I just stare at those intricate patterns, finding new details years later.
14. Going All-In on One Paint Color for Every Room
One shade, every wall, every room—calm, cohesive, and exactly what the house needed. No regrets, just serenity in every corner.
Magically, that single color transforms throughout the day, appearing differently as light changes from room to room. The continuous flow creates a seamless experience that makes my modest home feel expansive.
15. Turning a Closet into a Mini Library
Sacrificing storage space in a small home seems foolish. Converting a perfectly good closet into a tiny reading nook with custom shelving wasn’t cheap either.
Yet that cozy book-lined alcove with its upholstered seat has become everyone’s favorite spot. House guests fight over who gets to sleep in the room with the reading nook. Sometimes joy per square foot matters more than function.