IF you want your home to get a thumbs up from an interior expert, you’ve come to the right place.
Luckily for those eager for a pad that screams luxury, we’ve got top professional advice from Anna Wakeham, an interior designer from West Berkshire.
Here, Anna, 48, who trained at Inchbald School of Design and set up her own studio in 2021, has shared the 13 items you need to stop buying, so if you’re eager to know more on the “key items to avoid this January,” you’ll need to take notes.
According to this interior guru, who has two children, aged 14 and 12, not only will a £7.99 buy from The Range make your home look cheap, but there’s also a piece of furniture from Dunelm she thinks is a total waste of money.
Anna exclusively told Fabulous: “The high street is doing some great designer dupes and the quality is ever increasing.
“However, there are items we don’t recommend as we think they are too trend-led, aren’t good enough quality or will be a five-minute wonder.
Read more interior stories
“When we’re shopping and buying interior goods for our clients we always advise one thing – buying for longevity.
“When it comes to your home, you want to pick goods that will help you maximise the space you have, make you feel happy and inspired for a long time, and not choose fashionable items that you will grow to dislike.”
As well as this, Anna added: “Now more than ever, it’s important to buy for longevity.
“Not only is it important for our environment but ultimately it will save you money in the long run.
“It’s better to buy a few classic items that will last you a long while and you won’t get fed up with them to splurge on something you’ll like for five minutes.
“Antiques are also back in fashion and you get so much more for your money – we use them in our interior projects all the time so clients get value for money but something unique to them.”
The Addy Footstool
According to Anna, this £99 footstool from M&S should be avoided at all costs.
She said: “Very design led, but if you’re shopping for a smaller space, this will feel bulky as the leg is on the outside taking up more room than you probably want it to.
“We think in a few years you’ll be after something a bit more classic and this style will go out of fashion.”
The Anders Side Table
Not only this, also getting a thumbs down from Anna is this silver side table, which according to her, will drive parents “mad.”
The interior expert explained: “A very design led piece, but if you have small children the sticky finger marks will be enough to drive you mad!
“Great for the homeowner without young children.”
Scion Green Lohko 2 Tier Lampshade
If you love buying interior pieces from Habitat, there’s a £50 two tier lampshade Anna isn’t keen on.
She advised: “Unless you’re going for an all over 70’s style, I’d stay clear of something with such a distinct style direction.
“A style like this won’t ‘blend’ with other home items so unless you want to go the whole hog, this look is hard to pull off.”
Two Tone Wine Glasses
Anna also can’t stand the two tone wine glasses that you’ll be able to nab from Sainsbury’s when doing your food shop, as she explained: “I am not a fan of ‘fashionable’ glassware. Instead, I always recommend items that are timeless.
“It’s also worth noting that cheaper glasses are often thin glass and will crack very easily.
Trends interior designers hate
IF you want to ensure that your home looks glam, here are the trends that interior designers can’t stand.
NO YELLOW: According to Bilal Rehman, yellow paint in a bedroom is a big no no.
He said: “If you want everyone to know you’re a horse girl then yellow is perfect for you.”
SIGN OFF: Kelly Hoppen shared her honest thoughts on Live, Love, Laugh signs.
The interior pro explained: “Another gripe of mine – Live, Laugh, Love – those kinds of wooden things that sit on book shelves and floating shelves, that’s so 10, 12, 15 years ago.”
NO GREY YAY: Julie Provenzano explained that grey interiors have been overdone.
She stressed: “We took a good thing and we overdid it to the point that it now feels copy, paste, basic.”
“If you want to really plan for the future, buy a set of glasses from a well known brand that you know you can always add to if you break some (John Lewis classic ranges might work well here).
“Also, don’t buy eight, buy 10, you will always break some and it’s incredibly annoying when you do!”
Onda Stoneware Flat Plates
Another homeware item Anna doesn’t like are coloured plates, particularly this £40.94 stoneware set from La Redoute.
Anna told us: “These dark blue plates have been very popular, I am not a fan of serving food on a dark coloured plate.
“I don’t think they make food look appetising. I also don’t love the look of a coloured plate on a beautifully laid table.
“Plus, they make styling the dining table more tricky as you’re limiting your colour options. One to avoid in my book.”
Fluffy Cushion Cover
If you’re searching for cushion covers to add style to your sofa, according to Anna, these £14.99 fluffy ones from H&M aren’t getting the expert seal of approval.
Anna claimed: “After a few parties and split drinks, these will look tatty and you’ll end up wanting to replace them.
“These aren’t ones you’ll be seeing in your house in 10 years time.”
Large Mango Wood Mirror
As well as this, Anna shared a viral buy from H&M that she would never recommend.
Sharing her thoughts on a £39.99 mirror from H&M, the interior guru explained: “A pet hate – mirrors that are too small and I can’t see a purpose for this one other than a downstairs loo.
“Always go larger than you think you need, mirrors reflect the light in a room which is often an underused tool.”
Stainless Steel Bud Vase
But that’s not all, as Anna also wants to warn homeowners against stainless steel vases, such as this £12.99 buy from H&M.
She acknowledged: “These stainless steel vases are purely design led and won’t achieve much of a look as you can only fit one sprig in them.
“One alone is going to give no impact so I’d go for a larger glass vase and go for volume.”
Pink Round Scallop Table
Meanwhile, if a funky side table is on your list of things to buy, think with caution when looking at one that is scalloped.
Sharing her honest thoughts on a £38 light pink scallop table from Debenhams, Anna voiced: “This side table while pretty and feminine looks very flimsy, so while well priced I’d be aware that you aren’t going to be buying quality.
Buy cheap and you’ll buy twice
Anna Wakeham
“Also, while scallops remain on trend, they won’t be with us forever.
“After one flying drink and once scallops are over, you may find that you’ve had enough of it!”
Fatouh Fringed Berber Style Rug
If you’re searching for a new rug for your living room, shop with caution and avoid one that is too small.
This interior expert isn’t keen on the small 60x110cm buy from La Redoute, as she highlighted: “There is something most interior designers don’t like and that is rugs that are too small.
“This style will also look worn in no time.
“Buy a larger rug that sits underneath your furniture to ground the room and buy as well as you can. Buy cheap and you’ll buy twice.”
Soft Cosy Boucle Ivory Kids Rainbow Upholstered Bed
Meanwhile, if your little one needs a new bed, it’s time you paid attention.
Sharing her thoughts on the boucle upholstered bed from Next, which is £375 for a single and £425 for a double, Anna voiced: “Your daughter at the age of five will think this bed is amazing, but by the time she’s 11 she’ll be asking for a new one!
“I always advise clients to not buy anything over-stylised that can’t be changed.
“Buying a divan bed with a detachable headboard in a child’s fabric which would be swapped for a new fabric in time would help solve that issue.”
Ginko Leaf Ornament
When it comes to ornaments that will add style to your home, Anna wouldn’t recommend a £7.99 bronze buy from The Range.
She explained: “I am not a fan of bought ornaments and this item from The Range is a good example of that.
“A home should be a collection of curated items by the homeowner – maybe items from holidays or travels, family heirlooms or even presents. Cheap ornaments don’t work for me!”
Agnes Carver Olive Green Striped Dining Chair
Finally, if your dining chairs need an upgrade, there’s a style from Dunelm Anna wouldn’t shout about.
Anna concluded: “I love a striped chair. However, I don’t think these are going to be of good enough quality to last and once the children have spaghetti bolognese on them, I’m not sure they’ll look in great condition.
“Instead I’d recommend buying a more neutral wooden chair and putting a nice striped cushion on top ideally in a washable fabric.
“A similar look but far more long lasting and even better, you can change up the look if you move house.”
Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club
