Our homes are ever-evolving spaces. As our tastes change, we might grow out of something we once loved, and designers are no different.

After years of designing, consulting, and learning, it's completely normal to have a few regrets about past trends and choices. Sometimes, ideas that once felt fresh and cool no longer hold their appeal.

Several interior experts shared with us the design choices they regret using in their clients' homes and how they'd change them today.

Not Considering Lighting with Dark Paint Colors

Dark paint colors are often seen as a little bolder and riskier than neutrals. If done well, they can create spectacular spaces that are slightly edgy and unique.

Elissa Hall, the founder and lead designer of EDH Interiors, knows it's possible, but lighting definitely needs to be considered.

"I recall a project where we used a deep navy blue in a small, poorly lit living room," she says. "The result was a space that felt cramped and gloomy rather than cozy."

Now, she always tests paint samples in various lighting situations and encourages homeowners and designers to do the same.

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Choosing Non-Natural Toned Wood Flooring

Wall colors and decor choices tend to be more noticeable since they're closer to eye level, but flooring can also cause some feelings of regret.

Laura Morris, co-author of Mindful Living and co-founder of the Mindful Design Feng Shui School, notes that nowadays, she'd rethink wood flooring in unnatural tones.

Although white, pickled white, and gray-toned floors used to be super on-trend, she now believes it's always better to go with a timeless wood tone like white oak, natural oak, or walnut. She also pointed out this feature is much harder to change than others.

"Brighter, artificially colored wood looks dated now and shows every single hair (if you have dark hair)," she says.

Installing Touchless Faucets

High-tech fixtures and features are enticing, but pose their fair share of problems, too. Anjie Cho, co-author of Mindful Living and co-founder of the Mindful Design Feng Shui School, had this issue in the past with touchless faucets.

"At first they seem cool and clients are keen to try them out, but never again!" she says. "The first one I tried out with a client never worked—I tried fixing and swapping the electronics, and it was just a nightmare, for months."

Even worse, the backup, manual function didn't work either. She now always recommends manual faucets. Even with modern homes, there are plenty of options that look just as sleek.

Opting for Pink Kitchen Cabinets and Countertops

Cyndy Cantley is an award-winning designer with over 30 years’ experience and a co-owner of own Cantley & Company. She remembers when both pickled oak and pink were ultra-trendy—and that's when her biggest regret took place.

"As a new designer in my 20s, every kitchen I designed was pink with white pulls and some of them even had pink countertops," she says. "I wish I could apologize to all the people who might still be living with this!"

The beauty of regret is how much you learn, and she strongly recommends keeping"permanent items timeless. Large fixtures and permanent features like cabinets, couches, and furniture should be neutral.

Then, you can add color in other ways, whether that's through paint, wallpaper, or pillows. This makes it easier to change if you get tired of it.

Using Floating Shelves Instead of Cabinets

Floating shelves saw a spike in popularity in the last several years, and although they're trendy and economical, it's not something Morris would incorporate again. In one instance, she had chose floating shelves over cabinets to help stay within the budget for a client.

"It's a busy look that collects dust and can get cluttered," she notes. "Instead, I opt for taking time to find a vintage cabinet or console that has doors to hide things away and has a more curated feel."

Painting the Walls Purple

Bright, bold, and daring colors can be fun, but they can lose their shine after a little while. Kelly Marohl, interior designer at Neutral Home Design, found this out the hard way after implementing Pantone's 2018 Color of the Year, Ultra Violet.

"My client and I loved the color, so we used it on many walls throughout the home," she says. "Looking back at it now, that color is already out-of-date. If I were to design her home again, I would choose a paint color more timeless and neutral to run throughout."

Today, she'd still use trendy shades, but incorporate them as accent colors as opposed to the main choice.