17 Decor Items That’ll Make Your Home Look Cheap

No one wants to hear their home looks cheap. But sometimes, a cheap-looking home doesn’t reflect what you spent on it. It reflects the decor you chose.

From overused trends to plastic “luxuries,” certain décor choices can turn your cozy home into something straight out of a bargain-bin fever dream.

If you’re wondering why your living room doesn’t quite feel right, this list might hold the answer. And don’t worry—we’ve all made at least one of these decorating missteps.

Overuse of Word Art

It started with “Live, Laugh, Love.” Then came “This Kitchen is for Dancing,” and “Bless This Mess.”

While a quote or two can be charming, plastering phrases on every wall makes your home feel more like a gift shop than a personal space.

It’s not that the sayings are wrong. They’re just everywhere. And once something feels mass-produced, it loses its charm.

If every room has words telling guests how to feel, it starts to look less thoughtful and more like a design crutch.

Faux Marble Everything

Real marble is luxurious. Faux marble?

Not so much. Especially when it’s stuck on with peel-and-stick contact paper.

From countertops to coffee tables, fake marble often ends up looking more like plastic than stone. And it doesn’t age well.

It chips, peels, or starts bubbling at the edges. Plus, everyone knows it’s not real. You’re not fooling anyone.

If you want the marble look, there are better alternatives on the market, like quartz or solid laminate. But the dollar-store version?

Skip it.

Plastic Crystal Chandeliers

They might sparkle from afar. But up close, plastic chandeliers look flimsy and fake.

They often try to mimic vintage glam, but end up feeling more like party decorations than lighting fixtures.

The worst part? They tend to yellow over time. Instead of elegance, they give off a sad, dusty prom-night vibe.

If you’re going for classy, a simple light always beats fake chandelier sparkle.

Overly Matchy Furniture Sets

Walk into any budget furniture store and you’ll see the same thing: a bed, two nightstands, a dresser, all the exact same shade of espresso.

While matching sets seem like a no-brainer, they can actually suck the life out of a room. Everything looks flat and predictable.

Good design mixes textures, materials, and styles. That’s what gives a space personality.

A too-matchy room feels straight out of a catalog, not like a home someone actually lives in.

Inflatable Lawn Decorations (Outside Of Holidays)

A giant inflatable Santa is forgivable in December. But a year-round collection of blow-up minions or flamingos?

That’s another story.

They’re fun for kids, sure. But outside of seasonal displays, inflatable decorations can make your yard feel cluttered and chaotic.

They fade in the sun, deflate in the rain, and rarely look as crisp as the box promises.

For curb appeal, less is usually more. Especially when it comes to anything filled with air.

Faux Flowers in Odd Colors

We’ve all seen bright blue and neon pink fake flower arrangements. They were popular in the past.

Artificial flowers have come a long way. But when they look like plastic or come in colors found nowhere in nature, it makes a home look cheap.

They collect dust. They look stiff. And when they’re too perfect, they just feel… off.

If you’re going fake, stick to realistic colors and minimalist styles. Otherwise, consider fresh blooms or dried botanicals.

Wall Decals That Peel and Bubble

Wall decals were trendy for a hot second. But many don’t stick well—or worse, leave behind residue that screams “cheap fix.”

Especially bad? Oversized tree silhouettes or scripted quotes curling at the corners.

They look fun on Pinterest, but often peel, crack, or misalign during application.

If you want visual interest on your walls, try real paint, wallpaper, or framed art. Leave the decals to the dorm rooms.

Glossy Furniture Finishes

High-gloss white cabinets. Lacquered dressers. Plastic-coated nightstands. In theory, they’re sleek. In practice, they often look cheap.

Glossy finishes show every fingerprint, smudge, and dust bunny. And cheaper versions tend to chip like old nail polish.

They can make a room feel cold and clinical, like a waiting room, not a welcoming home.

If shine is your thing, try metallic accents or glass. But for furniture, a matte or satin finish feels much more grown-up.

Fake Brick or Stone Wallpaper

Nothing says “this is not real” quite like brick wallpaper that’s obviously flat.

It tries to bring rustic charm, but ends up looking like a theater set. Worse if the pattern repeats poorly or is applied crooked.

Even the 3D foam versions aren’t fooling anyone. They peel, bend, and absorb stains like a sponge.

If you love the look, consider a faux brick panel or a real veneer. But for the love of decor, please skip the sticker sheets.

Beaded Curtains or Doorway Drapes

They might remind you of your college apartment or a boho chic phase, but doorway drapes rarely look polished.

Beaded curtains tangle, break, and make annoying clinking noises every time someone walks through.

And don’t even get us started on curtain-style door coverings that block zero noise and collect dust like magnets.

If you need privacy or separation, go for real doors, room dividers, or even bookshelves. Beads are better left in the past.

Oversized Wall Clocks That Don’t Work

You know the ones—giant, gear-exposed clocks that take up half the wall and stopped ticking three years ago.

They’re meant to be dramatic. But when they’re broken, poorly made, or off-kilter, they just scream “flea market fail.”

They also tend to dominate the space without adding much function.

If you’re going big, make sure it’s stylish, working, and well-placed. Otherwise, it’s just decor noise.

Cheap Canvas Prints of Famous Cities

Mass-produced canvas prints of Paris, New York, or London are everywhere. Which makes them feel, well, everywhere.

They lack personality and often look pixelated or low-res. Especially if they were $9.99 at the checkout line.

Art should feel personal or meaningful, not like a last-minute filler.

Instead, consider local artists, vintage finds, or even framed family photos. Anything but another Eiffel Tower in sepia tone.

Faux Leather That’s Peeling

Faux leather couches and chairs look fine at first. Then the cracking begins.

Once it starts to peel, it’s game over. There’s no graceful way to recover a flaking armrest or disintegrating seat.

The worst part? It makes your space feel worn out, even if the rest of the room is in great shape.

Better to invest in a quality fabric, microfiber, or a durable alternative than roll the dice with fake leather.

Dollar Store Candle Holders

Some dollar store finds are fantastic. Others… not so much.

Candle holders made from thin metal or glitter-dipped glass tend to look cheap, bend easily, and tarnish over time.

Plus, they often don’t match anything else in the room. They’re more impulse buy than intentional decor.

If you’re aiming for cozy and elevated, invest in a few quality pieces instead of a dozen sparkly knick-knacks.

Toilet Rugs With Contour Cutouts

Ah yes, the classic wraparound toilet rug. It’s never truly clean, never truly stylish.

They’re meant to add softness, but often end up trapping odors and moisture.

Most bathrooms don’t need this kind of fabric accessory. A sleek bath mat (away from the base of the toilet) is more hygienic and modern.

If it looks like it belongs in a 1992 motel, it’s probably not helping your home look classy.

Mirrored Closet Doors

There was a time when mirrored sliding doors felt like the height of modern style. Now?

They feel dated.

They show every smudge, every fingerprint, and sometimes even warp with age, giving off a funhouse vibe instead of a sleek one.

In smaller bedrooms, they can reflect clutter and make the space feel anything but open.

If you want to brighten a room, there are better ways, like a tasteful wall mirror or lighter paint. No one needs to see themselves from their bed every single morning.

Rugs That Are Too Small

A common decorating mistake that instantly makes a room feel off? Rugs that are way too tiny.

An area rug should anchor your furniture, not float awkwardly under just the coffee table. If all your furniture legs are off the rug, it’s too small.