An Influencer’s Blunt Home Decor ‘Don’ts’ Are Going Viral

When it comes to home decor, everyone has different taste — and some people have very different taste.

In a recent series of TikTok videos, creator Sarah B. (@sar.bear222) shared a bunch of her top home decor “don’ts.” Sarah works in the residential construction and interior design industry, and her content is focused on home decor and lifestyle.

Her hot takes certainly ruffled some feathers, with plenty of people sharing their opinions in the comments. Read on for a look into eight home design trends Sarah says you should avoid.

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White Marble

“It’s just fine,” Sarah says of white marble, adding that the countertop material looks a bit too sterile for her taste.

Posters on the Walls

Rather than covering your walls with impersonal posters, “I just feel like there are better options for the same price point,” Sarah says. “If you just have a little bit of patience, babe, you can get something so much cooler.” She suggests checking out Facebook Marketplace, flea markets and thrift stores for nice wall art.

Painted Cabinets

Sarah prefers solid wood kitchen cabinets for the organic feeling they evoke, noting that painted cabinets can feel cheap.

Too Many Plants

Sarah recommends capping it at two plants per room — unless you’re a true plant person.

“If you want your house to look like a jungle, it’s all you, baby,” Sarah says. “Your home is supposed to be about authenticity. If you are a plant mom, then that’s honestly you, and so totally fine.”

Plastic Furniture or Home Decor

If you want see-through furniture or home decor, Sarah urges you to opt for glass instead of plastic or acrylic.

High Gloss Tile

According to Sarah, the maintenance required alone is enough to keep her away from high gloss tiles. You can easily see handprints, footprints and water marks on these tiles, meaning they require constant cleaning.

She also notes that high gloss tiles — whether they’re on the floor, the walls or anywhere else — often look too “intense” and out of place in homes, especially in builder grade homes.

Slat Walls

“They’re just overdone at this point … Everyone has them,” Sarah says of slat walls. For a while, slat walls were cutting-edge — but then they became too mainstream for Sarah’s taste. Now, most people choose prefabricated slat wall panels, which can look sloppy compared to a custom slat wall.

White Ceilings With Painted Rooms

“Painting all four walls of a room but not the trim or the ceiling” is “chaotic” and a major no-no, according to Sarah. “When the ceiling and the trim are left in a bright white, I think it’s so distracting especially if you’re painting in a darker color.”

Instead, she recommends color drenching, which she thinks is “probably the most beautiful way to paint a room.”

This story was originally published by Parade Home & Garden on Feb 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the House & Home section. Add Parade Home & Garden as a Preferred Source by clicking here.