I know your place looks like a cheap disaster and you need to fix your place ASAP. I was there in your place a decade ago when my place looked dirt cheap and I solved it after doing a lot of research. Today, I will share 20 things that are making your home look dirty and cheap and you need to throw them away immediately. These are the tips I learned the hard way after consulting a top interior designer. So don’t take them for granted. Let’s start….!!!!!
Top 20 Things
1. Plastic Furniture
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Okay, so plastic furniture, does it still exist? I have sat on the shiny, uncomfortable-looking chairs that make you feel like you’re sitting in a cheap office.
Don’t argue that it is “easy to clean” and I argue it is the easiest way to look cheap. So, instead of plastic furniture try looking for something sleek, like metal or quality wood.
The furniture should feel substantial, not something that could be blown away by a light breeze. The whole plastic vibe? Just… no.
2. Overused Faux Plants
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Now I was not the same person I used to be a decade ago when I got the idea of throwing in a couple of faux plants to somehow make my apartment ‘green’ and sophisticated.
Spoiler alert: it didn’t. I’m beyond sick of staring at fake plants in every space of the room because pretending they’re the solution to how they don’t exist.
If your plant can’t grow, shed leaves, or occasionally needs water, it’s not a plant, it’s just a dust collector. I mean, throw some real greenery in there. It’s a game-changer.
3. Over-the-top Wall Decals
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This is where I come to understand that I’m in a horror movie.
The large wall decals, including some phrases written in large elegant letters, and the cheesy-looking random quote that will make people on your floor look like an Instagram poem? No. Just, no.
You’re an adult. And, you can’t paint your wall with vinyl like a preschool art project. Try to get some tasteful art or, better, leave the walls bare.
Elegant room paint colors can provide a sophisticated, timeless backdrop without the distractions. There’s no middle ground here.
4. Those Obnoxious Signs
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If I see any more of these obnoxious dirty signs I might go crazy. Of course, you need all those positive vibes in life but it’s 2025, not 2005.
This one is in every house I’ve been to so far and I’m ready to pass a rule If you have one in your room, you are banned from my social circle.
Like for real, you’re trying way too hard. “Maybe for you, it’s a reminder to live, laugh, and love, but a lot of the latter comes from good self-reflection, not cheap wallpaper.
5. Cheap-ass Lighting Fixtures
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Lighting is everything and I do not appreciate it when people try to dress up those cheap, plastic false ceiling lights that are nothing but give the vibe from bad 90s sitcoms.
I’ve made this same mistake, too. And I realise suddenly your place looks cheaper, no matter how good it once was, because you made it look exactly like the light was taken from a dorm room.
If you have no pendant light or lighting on your track, invest in a solid pendant lamp or some nice track lighting.
6. Inconsistent Color Schemes
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Okay, listen. If you cannot choose a colour scheme and you stick with it your house is gonna be in a total disaster zone. No rainbows ever exploded in rainbow colour in every room.
I’ve walked into places and to be honest it does not look cute. So, try to pick a theme that is damn monochrome, warm tones, or cool tones and roll with it.
Not only does it make your space seem more cluttered but it tries to cram every single colour that makes your space look untidy. Equip yourself with your identity & align to it.
7. Cluttered Countertops
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This is gonna be a personal favorite of mine and so oh we’re going to talk about this one. I swear, some of you are hoarders, or you’re on a season of Hoarders with kitchen gadgets and junk.
First of all, no one needs ten different kinds of salt, three coffee makers, or a bunch of random trinkets on the counter.
It is chaotic and screams ‘I have no idea how to put this in the kitchen’. So, try to clean up your counters, people. And let me tell you, it’s not that hard.
I will 100 times tell you that the minimalist look will make your space feel 100 times better.
8. Plastic Shower Curtains
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I don’t mind how cheap or how easy they are to replace, but plastic shower curtains are a line that I don’t wanna draw.
Cleansers always look trashy and always have that weird crinkly sound when you move them. Plus, they’re just straight-up ugly.
Instead, get a fabric shower curtain if you’re looking for one. It’s not hard at all and will give you that put-together vibe.
Moreover, can we, please, stop posting those moulded plastic liners that are not binding every minute of soap scum and mildew all around the world?
9. Uncomfortable Sofa Cushions
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You know, there is a true art to finding a comfy couch and there are a few of you that just don’t have it. There have been too many homes where you could eat off the sofa cushions.
And my only question to anyone who has that is why would you get a couch? No one would want to sit on a wooden board with a cloth cover in the thing.
If your couch gives the impression of having been bought from IKEA then spend a few dollars to give yourself (and your guests) the upgrade. You will thank your back, and you will not regret it.
10. Tacky, Overdone Curtains
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I am sorry I will lose it when I see another set of curtains, when they aren’t slightly too long, they aren’t slightly too short, they aren’t just awful in pattern.
Like Bright, ultra ‘bold’ curtains, and some of you even call them trendy. What I see is that they just give your space a circus tent look.
Either go with non-complicated colours or monitor shades. Your friend is a solid, neutral color or soft pattern.
The more you overuse your curtains the more you’ll appear to be overdoing them. I tell you; no one wants to see that in your house.
11. Mass-Produced Art
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Mass produced art is the quickest way to get the most boring walls. When you spend $50 on a large ugly looking’ modern abstract’ poster print then I don’t care how good it looks.
Try to spend some money on good art as those works of art do not follow the copy paste job that everyone else has and if you don’t have a budget just use the bare wall.
Yes, I too have been there, and grabbed a ‘cute’ piece from Target and thought that it would have that ‘artsy’ feel to my place. Newsflash: it didn’t. It felt like a hotel lobby inside of my apartment.
12. Poorly Made Rugs
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Boy, I have a bad start with rugs. I used to think that I could set any rug at random in my living room and settle down in it.
These just look cute online but then when you step on them they feel like cardboard. So, don’t do it. Of course, a cheap rug not only feels bad under your feet but also spoils the whole mood of the room as well.
I got one with a bit less middle and it made all the difference to all the energy in my living room. The texture is everything. Invest a bit more in this piece and you will thank me soon.
13. Lack of Statement Pieces
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That is something I had to learn the hard way. If that one showstopper is missing in your space then your space will feel like ‘meh’. T
hat is when you hear people saying, “Okay, I see you, bye.” I mean really, you must spend at least one big piece, which has to stand out in your room.
For me, I began with a bold armchair, something that threw a bold obnoxious banana in my living room. Whether it’s a killer coffee table, a vintage lamp, or an insane piece of art, you must want something that draws the eye.
14. Cardboard Storage Bins
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I understand that storage is crucial, but not to the extent that you use cardboard boxes everywhere in the room.
I’ve tried to get away with it when I feel I’m on top of a warehouse, not the home. And more to the point, they just look cheap as hell.
There are such other storage options that your space will be organized and neat and won’t have the “I moved in” look.
Some woven baskets, fabric bins or even wooden crates will also work. They are practical, cute, and not shedding the appearance of a junkyard.
15. Overstuffed, Old Pil
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Oh, honey. The red flag here is overstuffed old pillows you’ve once set and haven’t changed.
Some of them were mismatched, and some of them were stuffed with who-knows-what; I had a whole pile of pillows on my couch that I used to use.
They weren’t even comfortable! The moment I replaced them with some minimalist cushions, my living room became 100 times better.
Only stick to a few that pretty much go with the vibe of the room. Trust me, less is more. Then make sure that they are filled right, not so much you are sitting on a brick.
16. Fake Wood Furniture lows
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Now let’s move on to fake wood for a bit. While it’s hard not to grab something that looks like wood but costs half the price, I can tell you, it is obvious.
Yes, real wood has a real vibe, that frenzied grain, that feels of quality. And fake wood? It has the appearance of laminate and the feel of plastic. I had a cheap-looking fake wood desk at one point that I used to look at and feel cheated.
Real wood is always worth it. So, Upgrades are always a good idea and you are usually able to find good pieces secondhand or on sale.
Furniture for small spaces can be a great way to make the most of limited room while maintaining quality.
17. Too Many Dollar Store Items
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I am not against a good deal but I’ll certainly buy myself some cleaning supplies or a piece of fancy candle off the dollar store.
But I don’t even like it when I go to a home decor store. Big mistake. I’m talking about the plastic baskets, $1 vases, and cheap picture frames. I’ve been there, too.
Crap, I had ridden by a couple of dollar store frames thinking they’d be ‘quirky,’ but they turned out to be cheap.
The problem with mixing budget pieces is nothing wrong but just don’t rely on the dollar store to be your design hub. And don’t keep wasting money on low-quality items.
18. Unflattering Lighting
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Your entire place is trash if your lighting is trash. These old harsh overheads make me feel as though I’m about to be interrogated.
I’ve certainly made the mistake of using cheap lamps that just did not give off the right feeling. And hey, you don’t need to fill your space with ugly lighting!
Put out some of those soft, warm floor lamps to try or build the string lights. An immediate change will take place in the mood of your house.
Also, ditch the fluorescent lights. Under that harsh glow, no one looks good, trust me.
19. Cheap Bed Frames
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If your bed has a creaking sound of your bed frame when it bends a bit that makes you sit on your bed with the sense that the frame will break with no effort? That’s what I’m trying to say.
A cheap bed frame is an absolute no. A flimsy metal frame is something I’ve tried before, and now every time I roll over, I wonder if it will collapse.
It’s just not a good look. Buy a good frame, either a showy wooden one or a trendy modern sitting set. A bed is a centrepiece of your bedroom, and you should choose a bed that makes it feel strong and stylish.
20. Exposed Cords Everywhere
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I’m at the end of my tether if I see one more exposed cord tangled up like some DIY horror show. I’ve been there too, with wires hanging out of the back of the TV or lamp, hoping nobody notices.
But guess what? They notice. They are messy and everything seems chaotic by the cords.
Organize all those cables, whether with cable organizers or at least put them behind wall furniture or somewhere along the walls. This is one thing that can make a huge difference in improving a bad vibe.
Final thoughts
Don’t tell me it’s hard to transform your place from a dumpster fire to a minimalistic one. If you are still not sure what to do just hire an interior designer and they know how to pimp the smallest budget out. So, there’s no excuse for this and just think you shouldn’t live like you’re not in college anymore. So, stop wasting time and start making better decisions about your home or at least consult the professionals.
