Home decorating is a personal project, however, as per Nicolas Fairford, not all design decisions are worthy of being in your space
In his recent TikTok video, the British interior decorator and content creator shared five items he believes should never be in any home. His opinions have stirred great debate, particularly because these items are quite common and often seen as essential.
Known for his refined aesthetic and traditional style sensibility, Nicolas Fairford is not shy about pushing back on mainstream decor. In his list, he mentions what he terms as “vibe killers”; things that, although popular, break the flow, style, and visual balance of a well-designed interior.
“Everybody places their furniture to face that thing,” Nicolas Fairford said of the television, which topped his list of ugly household items.
“I moved out of my parents’ house when I was 18, I’m 35 now, and in all those years, I’ve never owned a TV,” he added.
Fairford’s issue isn’t with entertainment, it’s about the object’s presence. “It’s just an ugly black box,” he said. “I don’t want it in my house to disturb the flow and the beauty.”
The view may be extreme, but Nicolas Fairford isn’t alone in this belief. Among high-end designers, flat screens have long been considered eyesores. In luxury homes, televisions are often hidden behind custom cabinetry or built into mirrors.
Next on Nicolas Fairford chopping block is another household staple, the microwave.
“A huge metal box that just takes up too much space,” he explained, noting that he doesn’t own one. “I’m someone who cooks every day and I never need to use a microwave.”
His point is about visual impact as much as practicality. In kitchens where open shelving and clean lines are favored, bulky appliances like microwaves can feel out of place. His alternative? Simply cook fresh meals and design a kitchen free of large countertop distractions.
Lighting plays a critical role in how a home feels and how people look in it. Nicolas Fairford favors the soft, directional glow of lamps over harsh ceiling fixtures.
“You could have a beautiful interior but if you have the overhead lighting, it makes everybody look a lot less attractive,” he said.
He advises distributing smaller light sources throughout the space to create what he calls “little pulls of light to cast a nice glow.”
His comments resonate with lighting experts who agree that layered lighting schemes, which mix ambient, task, and accent lighting, offer the most aesthetically pleasing results.
Nicolas Fairford’s fourth design offense is one most people are guilty of: air-drying laundry in open spaces.
“This is something that I think really kills the vibe in any house,” he explained. “I have a spare room in my house and the laundry goes in there. I close the door and never have to look at it.”
His message isn’t about laundry itself, it’s about visual clutter. Designers often advise separating functional areas from living zones whenever possible. Even in small homes, strategic storage or folding drying racks can maintain style without sacrificing convenience.
Last on Nicolas Fairford’s hit list? Decorative candles that are never lit.
“Tapered, pillar candles in glass vases or globes and they’re unlit, gathering dust,” he said. “It looks terrible.”
To him, unused decor items, no matter how trendy, can make a space feel staged and lifeless. He suggests that every object in a home should serve a purpose, whether functional or atmospheric. If candles are part of your design, light them. If not, remove them.
Nicolas Fairford’s video received a mix of agreement and pushback in the comments section.
“I agree with four of those, but a TV? Its absolutely needed,” one commenter wrote. While other viewers called out additional offenders like slogan wall art and artificial plants.
Fairford is no stranger to strong reactions. As someone who built his brand on a polished, clutter-free lifestyle, his recommendations often strike a nerve with those balancing form and function.
The discourse reflects a larger shift in how people view home design. Functionality is no longer enough, style and intentionality now matter just as much.
For Fairford, the bottom line is simple: everything in your home should contribute to its overall mood and aesthetic. If something distracts or detracts from that goal, it may be time to let it go.
With his five-item list, Nicolas Fairford has once again positioned himself at the intersection of elegance and opinion. Love it or hate it, his perspective forces homeowners to pause and reconsider their home choices.
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