I'm an interior decorator. Here are 9 trends that totally missed the mark this year.

It takes a lot of artistic skill to create a believable DIY faux marble countertop.

Even if you can pull it off, many painted countertops lack the durability and resilience of real marble. The epoxy is prone to scratches and usually isn't heat-resistant or food-safe.

Though the before-and-after pictures have that wow factor, I wouldn't say this is a practical trend.

Contact paper is an apartment-friendly way to customize walls, kitchens, and furniture but many affordable versions aren't durable.

Most affordable options I've seen tear easily, quickly show wear, and have highly noticeable seams and edges that start peeling within days.

I recommend choosing a higher-quality paper despite it being more expensive. But be careful, as the stronger adhesive of good-quality contact paper can potentially peel paint off when removed.

I find artwork that primarily features words or a quote, ages poorly.

For example, you're probably rolling your eyes at a "Live Laugh Love" plaque from 2012.

I can already picture people cringing at 2023 posters with modern sans serif fonts aligned to one side or groovy "good vibes only" bubble letters.

The minimalistic appeal of the wall decorations looks chic now, but I find they lack individuality and are too trend-oriented to have staying power.

As 2023 saw a rise in post-modern curves and organic shapes, plaster furniture and functional sculptures became more common.

However, creators have been trying to dupe these designs by covering or crafting furniture with joint compound and paint.

Though the joint compound is easy to work with, I find that it's soft and will show surface scratches.

Furniture made with joint compound is water soluble and can be difficult to clean, as oils and liquids can become trapped in the material if not properly sealed.

A thick application is also prone to cracking, making it a terrible material for high-traffic surfaces.

The satisfying texture of bouclé fabric leads to quicker wear and grime buildup as it tends to catch hair and trap fibers.

Low-quality bouclé will pill and matte faster and can be hard to clean.

I also don't think this synthetic fabric can last long enough to justify upholstering high-ticket items like couches and armchairs in it.

Instead, I recommend bringing bouclé texture into your home with throw pillows or accent pieces.

Sconces are a beautiful option for creating an impactful lighting design, and recently, I've seen apartment-friendly decorators incorporating these light fixtures into a space using battery-operated bulbs.

However, I recommend sticking to plug-in lamps rather than relying on these devices, as I've found the batteries die too quickly and the bulbs often don't give off sufficient light.

In the long run, battery-operated bulbs are an annoying upkeep item that can cost more in the long run.

The Mario Bellini sofa, and similar organic modern sofas, use fun quirky shapes to create visual interest in design. Though I love the style, I wouldn't recommend buying into it by way of a designer sofa.

I like my couches to last seven to 10 years, and the statement-sofa trend will probably die out before that.

If you want to freshen up your space with this contemporary style, bring in quirky side tables or tabletop items that won't define the tone of your room.

Quirky acrylic furniture pieces are sleek, lightweight, and inexpensive.

But clear plastic is not a great material for storage solutions where you might like to hide away your items or conceal cords.

Acrylic furniture also smudges and scratches faster than glass alternatives.

I prefer using colorful high-gloss wood furniture for a similar look with renewable materials.

I love the look of reeded glass cabinets because they're a beautiful, dynamic storage solution that safely hides dishware behind closed doors.

However, I wouldn't recommend investing in real fluted glass. Instead, buy clear glass cabinets and apply a reed window film to them.

That way, when this trend starts to look dated, you can freshen up the cabinets by simply peeling away the film.