Beauty or Regret? 14 Aesthetic Design Features to Think Twice About

Why pay extra for aesthetic AND regret?

If you’re like us – that is, obsessively scrolling social media feeds and saving eye-catching homes – have you ever wondered what makes all these homes so captivating? Chances are, it’s things like their use of textured surfaces for visual appeal, traditional (but trendy) designs, and the way they hide away unsightly loose ends like piping for a seamless finish.

Before you attempt to recreate such features in your own home though, take a step back and think about the pros and cons. Like with most renovation decisions, you have to pit aesthetics against practicality, or wind up with some costly regrets down the road.

Keep reading to find out what these features are, and some potential workarounds.

1. Limewash paint

While textured surfaces look remarkably charming in photos, what you see in reality could be more overwhelming than you expect. One such case is limewash paint, which you’ve probably been seeing around on your social feed.

This eco-friendly paint gives spaces an appealing rustic look (read the pros and cons of limewash paint here), but here’s a word of caution from designers we’ve spoken to: given that it’s made from natural materials, expect this paint to have imperfections and a look that’s much more ‘raw’ than the smooth surface you see in pictures.

For a better idea of what it actually looks like, be sure to request for samples from the supplier before you commit to it, since it could cost minimally $1,000 for a feature wall in the living room alone.

2. Microcement coating

Apart from how different textured surfaces could look compared to photos, there’s the matter of maintenance. Microcement is also an up-and-coming surface coating that some homeowners choose over cement screed because it’s much more versatile and less permeable.

While it reduces the maintenance woes like cracks and flaky surfaces, you should reconsider using it in wet areas like the bathroom that don’t get much ventilation – or you might have to contend with mould growth (eek!) that needs to be cleaned frequently. On top of that, rough scrubbing can cause the microcement to flake, exposing the raw bathroom walls.

That could turn out to be one expensive regret, since microcement can cost nearly four times more than regular cement screed.

3. Natural stone countertops

Although engineered stone can imitate the texture and patterns of natural stone countertops, they still can’t quite achieve the luxurious one-of-a-kind look natural stone has. Plus, the latter is an eco-friendly option, since they’re extracted from nature, rather than being produced in a factory.

They’re a hefty investment, though, and without proper care and maintenance, natural stone countertops will wear down because they’re highly porous – so they need to be re-sealed whenever necessary, and spills should be wiped up immediately.

4. Hidden aircon units

The way air conditioning units stand out like a sore thumb is a common gripe among homeowners, especially if they want to achieve a seamless look.

That’s why some choose to enclose these in a recessed space, sometimes with a wooden lattice grille over it.

However, do keep in mind that this could lead to the air conditioning unit working less effectively.

In such cases, you may need to lower the temperature to reach your desired temperature (say, 18°C, for the room to feel like 24°C).

You would also have to keep an eye out for leaks, since it could damage surrounding carpentry and result in wood rot and mould.

5. Recessed shelves

Done well, shelves in recessed nooks can help you to maximise dead space and create the perfect spot to display sentimental items.

But if you don’t consider whether the shelf’s maximum load is sufficient for your needs, you’ll end up with one regret too many. Just imagine… setting up an open bookshelf, only to realise you can’t place more books as your collection grows because the shelf can’t hold up!

It’s best to let your ID/contractor know ahead of time what you intend to place on the shelves, along with the estimated weight for them to advise on feasibility.

We’ve spoken to a homeowner who ended up having to hack the walls on either side of the niche to add spaces to slot in the shelf, in order for it to be stable enough to support heavier items.

6. Ornate detailing and patterns

Breeze blocks

Adding a nostalgic touch to your home is as simple as installing breeze blocks (also ‘ventilation blocks’), typically as a partition between spaces. While this design features amps up the retro vibes, you might not enjoy maintaining them as much.

Particularly with more intricate patterns, you can bet that dust will settle in corners and nooks that are difficult to get to. So, if you’re grimacing at the thought of having to clean these frequently, rethink installing breeze blocks on a large scale.

Louvered doors

Another feature with detailing that can add lots of character to your home: louvered doors.

Their charm lies in the inclined horizontal slats that cover part or all of the door – but these can be a double-edged sword when it comes to maintenance. Much like ventilation blocks, the horizontal slats are a dust trap, so a shallow clean won’t cut it.

Plus, they cost about two to two-and-a-half times more than regular doors, so have a think about whether the benefits outweigh the cons based on your lifestyle.

7. Tiles with highly textured surfaces

With small mosaic/patterned tiles for your floors and/or walls, you can create quite the impression. But all those grout lines you’ll have to clean? Not so impressive.

Ultimately, when it comes to tiles, you’d have to compromise one over the other – the aesthetics over fuss-free maintenance and vice versa.

Here’s a cheat code for the best of both worlds: large-format tiles designed to look like they’re made up of smaller tiles, like the accent wall featured above.

Just note that you’d still have to give such tiles a thorough clean to make sure mould doesn’t grow in the lines.

Pebble/stone tiles or wash

These are the perfect tiles/wash for that zen/resort vibe in your home, whether to wow visitors at the entryway, or for a strong touch of nature in your bathroom.

However, as lovely as they look, cleaning these highly textured pebble/stone features can take up a lot of time.

In wet areas, these spots can become a breeding ground for mould when puddles form, and you’ll find that soap scum/dirt often gets caught in between.

Unless you’re dedicated to maintaining them, we’d suggest checking out some stone-look tiles that offer a similar vibe, but without the tedious maintenance.

8. Glass and mirrored surfaces

All these surfaces look great, make your space feel bigger and more airy – and unfortunately get dirty real fast, no thanks to finger smudges, dust and stains.

Keeping glass and mirrored surfaces requires a fair bit of effort, so you should expect to clean them at least once a week. This applies especially to shower doors, since they get damp and joints and seals could be a breeding ground for mildew.

If you’re set on having them in your home but are worried about keeping them spotless, keep them to a minimum and in low-traffic areas.

9. Designer floor traps

While designer floor traps with their ‘concealed’ style covers are a stylish solution, they tend to trap more hair under the cover. To prevent clogged pipes as a result, you’d have to clear the hair regularly – and to do that, you need to first use an additional tool to remove the cover.

As you can see, maintenance would be troublesome.

On the other hand, traditional ‘holed’ covers may not be as 'visually pleasant', but easier to clean.

Essentially, it’s about whether you value aesthetics over practicality (or vice versa) and make it a habit to clean your designer floor trap more often, if you get one.

10. Box ups for bathroom piping

Hiding eyesores like piping is nothing unusual, but when it comes to areas that may require maintenance in the future, your priority should be keeping them easy to access.

Bathroom piping is one such eyesore which often gets boxed up to keep the space looking sleek. Max, from SG Interior Design, shares that there are typically no problems with straight piping, but there are chances of leaking for areas with joints – so make sure the box up still leaves access for these.

This is also an HDB requirement, which necessitates a minimum removable access opening for inspection and maintenance.

So, what does this all boil down to? Even if you leave access for these, in case of a situation where you’re required to replace the service ducts/piping, the box ups would all have to be removed at your own cost.

11. Black plumbing fixtures

Black fixtures look oh-so-sleek, especially in a dark bathroom. On the flip (and rather unfortunate) side, black plumbing tends to show water marks easily since they’re exposed to water and humidity.

If you do decide to go ahead with them, keep in mind that you’d likely have to clean these fixtures regularly.

12. Exposed bulbs

They’re edgy, utilitarian and perfect for industrial or wabi-sabi interiors – so it’s no wonder that exposed bulbs have been making a buzz in such homes.

But while they elevate the look of your home, consider the practicality of it: when used as a main source of light, these exposed bulbs are too harsh to look at, which can get worse at nighttime.

The shadows they cast on objects and your guests can be rather unflattering too. On top of that, they’d need a fair bit of maintenance since they get dusty easily.

An alternative is to use a fabric shade or frosted glass to get diffused lighting that is also easier on the eyes.

Pro-tip: if you’re sticking with exposed bulbs in the end, consider using them as an accent or task light in areas that don’t get much traffic.

13. Floating stairs

The typical stairs can look bulky or plain boring, so it’s no wonder that homeowners often experiment with achieving a different look (those of us lucky enough to have stairs, that is).

One such look is floating stairs, for the way they visually open up the spaces and make them feel roomier.

In the hands of a trusted ID, these are generally safe from a load-bearing standpoint.

However, if you have elderly or toddlers at home, prioritise their safety if you’re planning on doing up these stairs without a balustrade or handrail – missteps happen even to the best of us.

One way to remedy this is to add glass rails or cords, which still allows the space to feel open, or railing materials that complement the rest of your home (like wood, for instance).

In the same vein, ensure the stair width is a standard one so that you – or guests – don’t end up losing balance and falling.

14. Open-concept bathrooms

Though they still get some eyebrow raises, open-concept bathrooms have crept into homes for how much glam they add to modern-luxe spaces.

If you’ve been considering this bold feature in your rooms – especially one without curtains/blinds to obscure the glass walls – consider how your lifestyles might change down the road, and how comfortable you are baring everything to your partner.

Planning on taking it a step further with a doorless bathroom that connects directly to the bedroom? We’d recommend taking a few steps back instead, because you wouldn’t want all the smells and the steam permeating the rest of your room, and even other spaces (big yikes!).

Plus, if you and your partner have different schedules, there would be no way to prevent the shower noise from disturbing them if they’re resting.

This article was first published on 5 July 2023 and last updated on 17 April 2025.

Got other tips to share with your fellow homeowners? Let us know in the comments below!