12 things a seasoned interior designer would never have in her own home

• The designer avoids overly distressed furniture pieces, harsh lighting, and laminate floors.
• She also said acrylic furniture and open kitchen shelving are too impractical.

Lang said acrylic furniture should stay in the ’60s.

“A trick I like to tell my clients is to invest in high-quality curtain rods and rings to make your curtains look higher-end,” she added.

Tufted sofas can be way too bulky.

According to Lang, a tufted sofa — typically featuring buttons sewn into diamond or square patterns — is too bulky and can make a space feel crowded.

“Instead, I recommend going for something that is lighter and provides more flow to your living room, such as a sculptural or curved sofa,” she told BI.

After all, she said, a properly proportioned couch can make the space feel more inviting and visually pleasing.

Small living-room rugs can make the space feel messy.

Lang said rugs that are too small can make a room feel unbalanced.

“I like to think of a rug as the anchor of a living room,” she said. “It’s meant to ground the seating area and be the focal point that draws people in.”

Her general rule of thumb is that it should either be big enough to fit two legs of each piece of furniture or at least 6 inches wider than the length of the sofa on each side.

The designer also avoids laminate floors in her home.

“If you’re lucky enough to purchase a home that has original flooring, absolutely do not replace it with laminate flooring,” Lang said.

If the hardwood flooring needs a little love, you can have it refinished.

Lang said refinishing hardwood is a manageable DIY project that will pay off in the long run. It can also add value to your home if you ever want to resell.

This story was originally published in January 2024 and most recently updated on August 4, 2026.

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