8 Interior Design Hot Takes Designers Still Stand By

Designing and decorating your home is all about finding your sense of style and creating a space you truly love. While there are some rules and tips to keep in mind, standout interiors are often the ones that go against the grain a little.

As interior trends come and go, there are plenty of decor choices experts agree on as “in” or “out”— but there are some hot takes that divide the community.

These five designers each have a strong signature interior style they stick with— even when trends say not to—and are sharing their unfiltered opinions on the controversial looks they love.

Mixing Materials

Some might shy away from the idea of combining wood and stone in their design and decor in favor of sticking to a more cohesive set of materials.

But, nature-inspired home designer Nina Lichtenstein adores the modern organic look, and is a firm believer in mixing the two to build texture and dimension in a room.

“I’m not just mixing materials, I’m layering stories,” she explains. “Each piece of wood and stone brings its history, its unique grain or veining, and together they create a space that feels grounded and authentic.”

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Subway Tile

As home design trends move away from the all-white, ultra-minimalist look and start to embrace colors, many are starting to view the rectangular subway tiles seen in countless kitchens and bathrooms as overused and boring.

Lichtenstein, however, loves to create calming, clean spaces with soft, earth-toned variations of the versatile shape.

“To me, a subway tile’s simplicity is its greatest strength,” she says. “When paired with natural wood, lush greenery, or a pop of color, they provide a clean, crisp background that never feels cluttered or overwhelming.”

Decorating with Books

TikTok home decor trends always come with a little bit of controversy, but thanks to its highly personal nature and ability to build character, the bookshelf wealth trend’s popularity, in particular, is something Dan Mazzarani, principal and creative director of  BHDM Design and ARCHIVE, can get behind.

“For some of us, it is not always about the books so much as it is what they do for the other prized possessions on your shelf,” Mazzarani says. “For example, in my home, they serve as a backdrop for my Andy Bissonnette pottery collection.”

Wall Paneling

While some designers look at accent walls as a trend worth skipping, others—like Dana Lee Calabrese of Dana Lee Creative—stand by a specific way of creating interest and drawing the eye: wall paneling, bead board, and wainscotting.

She recommends opting for beadboard as a charming touch in bathrooms and kitchens and wainscotting in formal dining rooms, hallways, and bedrooms.

“Beadboard and wainscoting both give a room a timeless, refined look that’s always in style,” Calabrese says. “Plus, it’s a great way to achieve a high-end look on a budget.”

Separated Living Spaces

One very hot take Daniel House Club’s co-founder and chief creative officer Peter Spalding always advocates for is the importance of separating each room in your home, rather than opting for one large, open-floor plan kitchen, living, and dining area.

“I find open space less useful for the actual needs of life, and much harder to position furniture in,” Spalding explains. “In the words of one of my favorite professors: ‘Architecture is all about frames, framing frames, framing frames’. Doorways are the best way of framing vistas within a house, and we should not get rid of them.”

Painting Over Brick

Both indoors and out, the variation and rustic charm of brick can bring character to a traditional home. But some designers, like Guidi Filippi, prefer to treat brick or paint over it for a more modern and refreshed look.

She also loves to use various brick treatments, like German schmear and lime washing.

“I am all for painting over brick for interior features, like a fireplace that needs updating,” Guidi Filippi shares. “Of course, brick can be incredibly beautiful, and there are many cases where it’s a shame to paint over it— but for me, that’s an exception and not a rule.”

Timeless White Kitchens

Another controversial paint choice Guidi Filippi loves to lean into is a white kitchen. While others may view the color as bland, this designer sees white as a timeless, neutral tone, appreciating its abilities to reflect and amplify natural light, and instantly make a room feel brighter and bigger.

“I’m firmly team ‘White Kitchens Never Go Out of Style‘,” she says. “There are infinite ways of making it modern and interesting, from countertop choices to hood materials, hardware, and more.”

Open Shelving

Open shelving may not always be seen as practical due to the level of curation and pristine cleanliness it demands, but it’s a style choice both Spalding and Lichtenstein love to see used in kitchens to display tools and dinnerware, or decoratively in living rooms for their clients’ most meaningful belongings.

“When done right, open shelves breathe life into a space,” Lichtenstein says. “These are not just items, but pieces of our daily lives that deserve to be displayed.”