We’ve all made questionable purchases in our lifetime, and when it comes to home décor, the dining room is no exception. Some items might seem like a great idea in the store, but once they’re in our homes, they just don’t live up to our expectations.
That’s why it’s always important to think twice before investing in any piece of furniture or accessory. Here are 12 things I wish I’d never bought for my dining room, and the reasons why they didn’t work out.
1. Overly Ornate Centerpiece
When I first saw the elaborate crystal centerpiece in the store, it looked magnificent. I imagined it gracing my dining table, reflecting light and drawing attention. However, once I brought it home, it didn’t take long to realize that it was more of a hassle than a decoration. The delicate crystal needed constant cleaning to keep it looking shiny and new, and it was so large that it took up valuable space on the table. In hindsight, a simple, low-maintenance centerpiece would have been a better choice.
2. Bulky Sideboard
A sideboard can be a functional and stylish addition to a dining room. But the bulky, antique one I purchased was neither of those things. It took up too much space and made the room feel crowded. Plus, it didn’t provide the storage space I needed. The drawers were small and the shelves weren’t adjustable, limiting what I could store inside. A sleeker, more modern sideboard with flexible storage options would have been a smarter buy.
3. Uncomfortable Dining Chairs
Comfort is key when you’re sitting down to a meal, and the wrought-iron dining chairs I chose were anything but comfortable. They looked great with the rustic theme of my dining room, but sitting on them for longer than a few minutes was a pain—literally. The hard, cold iron was unforgiving, and the lack of any padding made long dinners an ordeal. If I could go back, I would choose comfort over style and opt for upholstered chairs.
4. Cheap Tablecloths
I thought I was saving money by buying cheap, synthetic tablecloths. I was wrong. They were thin and prone to ripping, and they didn’t protect my table from spills and scratches like a good-quality tablecloth should. Plus, they didn’t drape nicely and always looked wrinkled, no matter how much I ironed them. Investing in a few durable, cotton tablecloths would have been a wiser choice.
5. Large Chandelier
Lighting is crucial in setting the mood in any room, especially the dining room. However, the oversized chandelier I bought was a bit too much. It dominated the room and made it look smaller. Plus, it was so low that taller guests tended to bump their heads on it. A smaller, simpler light fixture that complements the room instead of overpowering it would have been a better choice.
6. Expensive China Set
I fell in love with a beautiful, hand-painted china set and couldn’t resist buying it. But once I had it, I was too afraid to use it for fear of breaking it. It ended up gathering dust in my cupboard, a costly decoration rather than a functional item. In retrospect, a cheaper, more durable set that I could actually use would have been a smarter purchase.
7. Unnecessary Table Runners
Table runners can add a touch of elegance to a dining table. However, the ones I bought were more of a nuisance. They were too long for my table, constantly getting in the way during meals. Plus, they needed to be washed and ironed regularly, adding to my laundry load. A simple, correctly sized table runner or a tablecloth would have been a better choice.
8. Oversized Artwork
I thought a large piece of artwork would be a great focal point for my dining room. But once it was up on the wall, it was all anyone could see. It overshadowed everything else in the room and made it feel unbalanced. A smaller piece of art or a collection of smaller pieces would have created a better balance.
9. Intricate Rug
The intricate pattern on the rug I chose for my dining room looked beautiful in the store. But at home, it was a nightmare to maintain. Food and drink spills were difficult to clean, and the complex pattern made it hard to see dirt and crumbs, making the rug look dirty even when it wasn’t. A rug with a simpler pattern or a darker color would have been a better choice.
10. Fussy Curtains
The heavy, patterned curtains I picked for my dining room seemed like a good idea at the time. But they blocked out too much natural light and made the room feel dark and dreary. Plus, they clashed with the other patterns in the room, creating a chaotic look. Lighter, simpler curtains that let in more light would have been a better choice.
11. Specialty Serving Ware
I was convinced that I needed specialized serving ware for every type of food and occasion. But most of them ended up unused in my cupboards, taking up space. A few versatile serving pieces that can be used for different types of food would have been a smarter choice.
12. Wine Rack
I thought a wine rack would be a stylish and functional addition to my dining room. But it turned out to be a dust collector. The bottles of wine I stored in it were rarely used, and the rack itself needed regular cleaning to keep it looking good. A wine rack in a more practical location, like the kitchen or pantry, would have been a better choice.