There are some spaces on Instagram and Pinterest that can stop your heart as soon as you spot them. Dreamy, on-trend, and perfect. And although these rooms are undoubtedly aesthetically-pleasing, what is it like to actually live with these pieces and use them on a daily basis?
That’s when some furniture can become overrated, and not worth the hype as soon as they’re applied to real life. Lesley Myrick, CEO and principal of Lesley Myrick Interior Design, says that when a piece goes viral, retailers scramble to mass-produce it, and within a year, “you're seeing the same chair, lamp, or sofa in just about every living room on your feed.”
Myrick adds that while the item itself usually isn't the problem (they're often great pieces that trend for a reason!), the issue is that interior design has slowly turned from self-expression into content. “People stop choosing things because they love them and start choosing things because they recognize them,” she says.
If you want to draw the line between pleasing to the eye and actually usable, discover what designers think is the most overrated piece of furniture, and what to buy instead.
The Most Overrated Piece of Furniture
Drumroll, please? Myrick says that it’s the “big, curved, cream-colored sofa.” “You know the one—low-slung, marshmallowy, no defined arms, looks gorgeous in every Instagram shot,” she says.
Within this same vein, and just as trendy, Dusti Jones, owner and principal interior designer at Dusti J Design, says that the “cloud sofa” is highly overrated, the one that’s modular, deep-seated, and plush with a low profile.
These types of sofas “exploded a few years ago and has not let up,” as Myrick says, but adds that although they look great in a photo, they’re genuinely difficult to live with.
“It takes up a lot of space but doesn't provide much seating,” she points out. “The seat is usually too deep to sit upright without piling on pillows, so you're basically committed to reclining or losing the sleek look that made the piece so appealing in the first place.”
Plus, she says that the cream upholstery shows everything: a splash of coffee, a dog paw, or the back pocket of your jeans after a long day.
“And because the silhouette is so distinctive, the second the trend fades, the sofa is going to date your entire living room,” she says. “You're spending serious money on a piece that photographs better than it functions, which is the opposite of what a sofa should do.”
Jones says that people have been gravitating toward these types of sofas because purchasing a large furniture piece can be overwhelming, so people naturally look for highly-rated, popular options. She says that these sofas’ overall large size can make it challenging to move through some doorways, condo stairwells, or even older buildings with elevators.
Other Overrated Furniture Pieces
Other pieces that have become overrated include the matching bedroom set, in which the dresser, nightstands, and headboard “all come from the same store in the same finish,” Myrick says. “It makes your bedroom feel like a chain hotel instead of your home.”
Also, she notes that the live edge slab dining table, when it’s not actually handcrafted, is overrated. “A true one-of-a-kind piece from a maker is gorgeous and worth every penny. The mass-produced version you can order from a big-box retailer has none of that soul, and you can spot the difference a mile away,” she says.
What to Buy Instead
Instead of purchasing the on-trend sofa, Jones recommends going for something classic and trend-proof instead, especially since you’re spending a chunk of change. For instance, Jones says you should choose a sofa that has “a clear perspective and design.” This might be a Chesterfield, tufted, midcentury, or rolled-arm style, as she details.
“These can all be well-crafted with springs, foam, alternative down, and down to create truly comfortable seating that also stands the test of time,” she says.
Along these lines, Myrick recommends purchasing a sofa that has actual structure. And don’t hop on the trend bandwagon when it comes to sofas, or other furniture you want to enjoy for years to come.
“Pick a color, texture, or silhouette you're going to love long after the trend cycle moves on,” Myrick says. “And invest in something built well. A good sofa should outlast at least two living rooms.”
Shelby Deering is a freelance lifestyle writer who frequently covers home design and decor for national publications. She has worked as a full-time freelance writer for over a decade, and has worked in the industry for nearly 20 years, writing home tours, interviewing top designers, and beautifying her own home. She holds a master's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and when she's not writing, you can find her at thrift stores and flea markets, running, or exploring local trails in Madison, Wisconsin, with her husband and corgi, Dolly.
