Hilary Farr's Design Tips You Should Totally Avoid

Hilary Farr doesn't give out bad advice very often, but even the pros make mistakes sometimes! Taking chances in design doesn't always pay off, and occasionally, both experts and fans question the value of Farr's design choices and tips. This should bring you comfort if you've ever made a risky design choice in your own home that didn't pan out. However, mistakes can be expensive, so it's important to try to avoid costly errors if you can.

No matter the style or budget, it always seems like Farr adds undeniable value to her client's homes. Unfortunately, not everything we see on TV is real. In fact, there may even be some lies from "Love It or List It" that you were led to believe. And although trends are subjective, some design ideas are more controversial than others. You want to either improve or maintain the value of your home, so it's important to be selective about the advice you take. So, discover the tips from Hilary Farr that made fans and design experts shake their heads.

There's nothing wrong with a green accent wall — in the right shade. In Season 11, Episode 12, of "Love It or List It," Hilary Farr highlighted the tip of using an accent wall to designate an entertainment area. The advice wouldn't be so bad if Farr's color choice was less controversial. Bright green was Farr's shade of choice, and both viewers and experts vehemently opposed this selection. User @lolsade commented on YouTube, "First time I genuinely didn't like what Hilary delivered and she NEVER fails! The green paint was loud and the kitchen was too dark, nothing complimented the colored accent wall or seemed to have a color scheme/flow."

Although this is one shade of green you should avoid painting in your home, there are other green-toned accent walls that can elevate your space. According to Fixr.com's study on the best and worst paint colors for resale, lime green was the second most off-putting shade to potential home buyers. However, more earthy tones of green were highlighted as a top trend, so Farr's tip can work much better with a more muted hue. Go with a soft yet saturated shade like Saybrook Sage by Benjamin Moore to radiate lively energy without overwhelming your space.

On Season 11, Episode 11, of "Love It or List It," Hilary Farr praised the power of blue kitchen cabinets. "Yes, we love the blue!" Hilary confirmed. The cabinets were originally a shabby-chic shade of denim, which she repainted a more saturated blue hue. However, you might want to think twice before following this cool-toned advice. Some experts advise against painting your cabinets certain shades of blue, as it can make your kitchen look cold and unwelcoming. A dark color can also make your kitchen feel much smaller. The fans also opposed Farr's tip, with @janiceshepherd7752 writing, "I wouldn't have kept the blue for the kitchen," and @marieslabbert6009 chiming in, "kitchen cabinets are a bit wild."

Blue cabinets aren't necessarily a bad choice in every hue. In fact, you can add a pop of color to your kitchen with these stunning blue cabinet ideas. Just like the green accent wall concept, the key is selecting the right shade. If your kitchen is already small, a too-dark or vibrant shade can make it feel smaller. On the other hand, a muted blue-grey shade is totally timeless and can create a calming effect. For an easy way to give your cabinets a designer-approved blue makeover, consider this Nuvo Tidal Haze Cabinet Makeover Kit.

Farr's style is more modern than mid-century modern, and this was evident when she tried to update a retro home in Season 2, Episode 10, of "Tough Love." She chose a modern teal and white backsplash for the kitchen. Farr emphasized her enthusiasm for this design tip by exclaiming, "The teal, of course!" However, many designers would caution against choosing a kitchen backsplash that doesn't work in harmony with your home's style. Viewers also noted the same issue, with @ArtbyOscarMejia commenting, "Yeah is a no for me, Hilary is great but I don't think mid-century is her forte." Another user, @dolorescordell129, added, "...And the blue wall tiles in the kitchen would drive me crazy. This was not one of Hilary's best."

In order to choose the right backsplash for your space, it's important to define your home's style. If you want to keep it simple, define whether your home is old or new. Older homes may look strange with very contemporary design details and ornate, vintage decor can look out of place in a modern interior. Research the era of your home and find backsplash inspiration that reflects its history. If you're looking for something that will work in any space, it's best to keep to neutral, low-profile options like rectangular white tile or neutral clay tile.

Farr is always finding ways to maximize space and add amenities in every corner. However, this can also be her design downfall. In Season 2, Episode 6, of "Tough Love," she added a secret bathroom behind a hidden bookcase, in the dining room. She actually counteracted her own design tip with the phrase, "Now nobody wants to have access to a bathroom through the dining room, but sometimes that's what you have to have." Architectural experts have listed the dining room as one of the worst places to add a powder room in your home. Viewer @d.b.israel3214 agrees saying, "Normally Hilary's' designs range from very good to the fabulous...but: the children's rooms downstairs AND A TOILET IN THE DINING ROOM CORNER???? SMH & where's the incense & Glade spray???"

If you really need to add an additional bathroom, consider other underutilized areas instead. Your basement can be a great place to add a bathroom that doesn't cut into the flow of the rest of the house. Another trick is to look for anywhere that has existing plumbing and consider adding a small bathroom on the opposite wall. If you do choose to build a bathroom on an exterior wall by expanding your home, make sure to get the appropriate permits.

In Season 1, Episode 6, of "Tough Love," Farr explained to the homeowners: "It's really all about the kitchen. We all know that this kitchen does not work. It's tiny, it doesn't function properly, but I'm going to change all that. I'm going to expand this area into the dining room with a large island." The question is, Is it really all about the kitchen? Some designers argue that a kitchen can actually be too big — especially if it takes away living space. YouTube user @livezurichlovekarin7089 chimed in, "They have one small sofa and two not very comfy chairs... but a very, very oversized chefs kitchen... what do you need a kitchen with a six-burner stove if there is no place for your friends to fine dine and sit?!?"

Even more important than the size of your kitchen is its layout. Functionality is key when it comes to a well-designed cooking space. Draw a triangle between your fridge, sink, and stovetop. There should be enough space to walk comfortably between them, but not so much that they feel uncomfortably far from one another. Another thing to consider is the size of your kitchen island. These are expert ways to determine the right size island for your kitchen, but whether you really need one is another factor to consider. Although they are trendy, you don't want to force too big of an island into your kitchen that it bleeds into your valuable living space. However, there are more compact alternatives, like this Samesay Store Portable Kitchen Cart with Storage.

Bright white decor has been the topic of debate for some time. Again, with Farr's more modern aesthetic, she frequently favors light colors to open up spaces. However, in Season 1, Episode 7, of "Tough Love," not everyone was in agreement with her decision to add lots of white to a 200-year-old barn. Realtor Mickey Conlon from Douglas Elliman tells Apartment Therapy, "If the words grand, dazzling, or historic belong in the listing description, then don't you dare touch those original details." Fan @emcdus685 commented something similar on the episode saying, "I agree it needed some updating, but too much white for me. Took away from the coziness. Adored the old wood."

While Farr did leave some original wood elements, the overall wash of white was questionable in the historic space. There are a few things you should consider before painting your walls white. First, try leaving solid wood pieces like trim or baseboards natural with just a stain job to bring out their organic color. The next step is to determine what shade of white will elevate the rest of your interior details. Not all shades of white are created equally, and pure white can actually make a space look smaller. Consider a warmer shade like Rodda Paint Cascadia Zero in Ivory that will work in harmony with the existing wood.

Farr defended her choice to design a farmhouse-meets-industrial chic kitchen in Season 11, Episode 10, of "Love It or List It." "You really have the sense of a country home, but you are in the city," she said to justify the concept of grey-toned traditional cabinets with a tin ceiling. This is another example of one of her design tips not falling in line with the style of the home. Top designers argue that the style of your home is actually more important than your personal style. Viewer @drewconway7135 commented on the episode clip, "[...] That kitchen, on the other hand, is hideous. Dark, gloomy, over-designed with that tin ceiling, does not go with the rest of the house."

Industrial farmhouse kitchens are a big trend, so Farr wasn't totally wrong in her choice to experiment with this aesthetic. Her goal was to blend the city atmosphere with a rustic touch that her clients craved. However, if you're going to blend styles, it's important to do it well. According to viewers, the mistake that was made is that the kitchen was too dark. The part of the farmhouse aesthetic that is so coveted is the light, bright atmosphere. While hints of moody, industrial pieces can add depth, they shouldn't overpower the space. Go for natural wood cabinets rather than Farr's chosen grey, and add industrial elements through light fixtures instead of covering the entire ceiling.

In Season 2, Episode 5, of "Tough Love," Farr remodeled a kitchen and moved the trash can into a built-in cabinet. However, one of the clients protested — and for good reason. Fans agreed with the homeowner's hesitation. YouTube viewer @ElahehDaisy commented, "I understand her on not wanting trash bin inside the cabinet, I hate it too unless the pull-out cabinet is made of stainless steel so that I can sanitize the cabinet when I am sanitizing the bins." 

There are reasons why you should never store your trash can in a cabinet or pantry, pull-out or otherwise. Pull-out trash cans can have unsanitary downsides, especially if they don't have a lid. From the smell to hidden spills, plenty of homeowners regret their decision to conform to this trend. Plus, using an entire cabinet for a pull-out trash bin can take up valuable storage space in your kitchen. If you love the aesthetic concept of hiding your trash can in a cabinet, try this Old Captain Double Tilt Out Trash Cabinet as an alternative. This will keep your trash cans out of sight without keeping your garbage next to food or cookware storage.