Why Designers Say They’d Never Buy Faux Finish Furniture

All decor enthusiasts have wondered at some point or another what the inside of a designer’s own home looks like. Without the demands of clients — and in the privacy of their own homes — designers can really tap into their own style in its purest form. So I got to wondering the following question: Do professional designers have particular “rules” they follow for their own spaces? Perhaps a trend they’d never try or a piece they’d never buy? 

As it turns out, the experts I spoke to all had the same answer to my question. They agreed that the one thing they’d never buy is furniture with a very unconvincing faux finish. Read on to find out why and what they recommend you try instead. 

“I never use materials pretending to be something they’re not,” says Laetitia Laurent, principal designer and founder of Laure Nell Interiors. Essentially, she’d rather save for “the real deal.” That means, in many cases, steering clear of faux wood grains, stone-effect contact papers, etc.

Although “authentic” pieces can be more difficult to source and pricier upfront, your money will often go further with them. Ksenya Malina, principal designer of Time & Place Interiors, specifically invests in pieces made of sturdier natural materials like wood, wool, and stone, which have longer lifespans than imitation products. 

Ariana Lovato, owner and principal designer at Honeycomb Home Design, specifically calls out mass-produced art, too, like printed-on “paintings.” Instead, Lovato says, she’d rather hang up a meaningful quilt, tapestry, rug, or crafting project on her walls. A canvas you painted yourself (no matter your skill level!) will always look better than a mass-produced piece made from cheap, faux materials. 

The designers recognize that the rise of faux goods and fast furniture in recent years is a direct result of the increasing cost of goods, as high-quality materials (especially imports like marble, aluminum, furniture, and vanities) only get more and more expensive. 

There are still affordable options and methods for acquiring authentic pieces, though; it sometimes just requires a bit of patience. Buying secondhand is one way to get these high-quality pieces at better prices. They just don’t make ’em like they used to — it’s true! Try shopping brick-and-mortar thrift stores, flea markets, even online antiques auctions; so many options for sourcing antiques exist.  

You don’t necessarily need to shop secondhand for solid wood. As a response to demand, affordable wooden furniture finds are growing more and more common at major retailers now, too. With a bit of patience, you can often score solid wood pieces for under $200 at stores like IKEA, Wayfair, HomeGoods, or T.J. Maxx. 

Whatever you do, Laurent preaches patience. Even if it means you have to decorate your home over time as your budget allows, it’s worth the wait for quality pieces. “A home should evolve gracefully,” she says, and “not feel tied to a six-month trend cycle.”