I’m an interior decorator. Here are 8 things I would never get at West Elm.

I like shopping at West Elm, but there are a few items I’d avoid getting there.

As an interior decorator, I know West Elm is a great place to shop for high-quality furniture and unique pieces. The retailer, which has over 100 locations in the US, is known for its contemporary decor and sustainable products.

However, investing in good home decor and furniture can be expensive. According to a 2023 Opendoor survey of 1,022 US homeowners, Americans spend nearly $1,600 a year on decor.

So, it’s important to consider factors like quality and durability when investing in pieces for your space.

Though I like West Elm, the store carries a few items I wouldn’t pick up for myself or my clients. Here are eight things I’d avoid getting at the retailer.

I wouldn’t buy West Elm’s faceted-brass drink table.

Instead of buying the faceted-brass drink table, I’d opt for a sturdier option.

At first glance, this small faceted-brass drink table would be beautiful and convenient in a sitting room. However, when I placed it on the floor at the store, I thought the side table was too narrow and lightweight — it even wobbled from side to side.

I’d prefer something sturdier to hold my wine glass (and prevent it from splashing across my living-room carpet), so I’d opt for the retailer’s Hudson drink table or a full-sized piece of furniture instead.

I don’t think the Ainsley coffee table is worth the price.

I’m not a fan of the materials the Ainsley coffee table is made with.

West Elm’s Ainsley collection, which features lots of straight lines and geometric rectangles, is a refreshing contrast to the round contemporary furniture that’s been popular in recent years.

However, I wouldn’t purchase a high-traffic item like a table unless it was made to last.

The Ainsley coffee table is made with engineered wood, which combines wooden fibers and scraps instead of having a durable solid cut or board. It also has a veneer, which is a decorative thin sheet of wood that can show scratches, dents, and wear and tear at the corners.

In my opinion, this simple design isn’t worth the table’s $600 price point. I recommend getting a less-expensive engineered option or investing in a solid-wood piece instead.

I find the sculptural three-light globe chandelier to be uninspiring.

For me, there’s nothing special about the sculptural three-light globe chandelier at West Elm.

This three-light chandelier can work in various spaces, but it lacks the “wow” factor I look for in my lighting.

I’d skip this look and display something more unique, like a vintage light fixture from a resale shop.

The Belle nightstand doesn’t look sophisticated to me.

The Belle nightstand reminds me of dorm-room furniture.

This cylindrical nightstand looks luxurious online, but seeing it up close reminded me of a side table I might have had in my dorm room.

The table’s design, steel material, and color make it feel very useful, but I like to avoid pieces with exposed storage features to reduce visual clutter.

If I wanted a similarly shaped and sized nightstand, I’d grab the Kane nightstand from Urban Outfitters. Its thick base and playful color options make the piece feel more refined and intentional.

I wouldn’t buy wall decor from West Elm.

Instead of buying wall art from West Elm, I’d buy pieces from local artists.

Though I like some of the art available at West Elm, I always recommend sourcing pieces directly from artists if possible. Once my clients identify a painting or style they like, I research artists or check out local art fairs to find similar pieces.

In the past, I’ve been able to purchase original paintings directly from an artist for the same price as the framed prints at West Elm (which often range from $200 to $500).

In other circumstances, I’ve found dupes of trendy wall decor, like West Elm’s geo-natural woven dimensional wall art, for a fraction of the price at HomeGoods.

I won’t bother with West Elm’s Tencel sheets again.

The Tencel sheets I got from West Elm didn’t hold up after a few washes.

I was initially attracted to the beautiful sheen and silky smoothness of West Elm’s Tencel sheets in the store. Tencel, a fiber that’s derived from wood pulp and chemically processed into thread, is known for being a more sustainable alternative to materials like cotton.

However, after a few washes, I found that these sheets lost their luster and began to pill. Though they were beautiful, at a $150 price point, I recommend sticking with cotton or flax sheets for a long-lasting investment.

I wouldn’t buy the Harmony modular sofa from West Elm.

I didn’t love the quality of the Harmony modular sofa.

I purchase big-ticket furniture pieces from West Elm when the store offers trendy, one-of-a-kind styles at affordable prices. Otherwise, when it comes to basic designs, I typically prefer to buy from a competitor.

When I saw West Elm’s pricey Harmony modular sofa, I found the quality to be lacking — the cushions are mostly filled with synthetic materials instead of down feathers.

If I were to buy a couch from West Elm, I’d go for the Joplin sofa, which has a designer silhouette and is reasonably priced.

I don’t like the fluted glasses at West Elm.

The fluted glasses at West Elm are more expensive than those at retailers like Crate & Barrel.

I love the chic styling of a classic fluted drinking glass. Still, I found West Elm’s collection lacking when comparing the store’s set to the options at Crate & Barrel.

When purchased online, a set of four West Elm tall fluted drinking glasses costs $44, which is about $11 per glass. In contrast, Crate & Barrel’s Atwell 18-ounce tall stackable ribbed glasses cost about $8 each.

West Elm’s glasses also come in fewer colors and have handwash-only care instructions — the ones from Crate & Barrel are dishwasher-safe.