When decorating your home for the first time or undergoing a major reno or makeover, there are about a billion little decisions you have to make (and then equally as many to spend money on). Your budget can quickly feel teeny tiny, because suddenly everything seems like a must-purchase. It is easy to get caught up paying more for trendy pieces or statement features—but pause before you do that.

There are home items many of us tend to spend big on when we don't need to, so we asked interior designers which unnecessary decor pieces they see clients overspending on. Here are the pieces designers would drastically cut back on or not buy at all. According to the pros, skipping these items won't hurt the space but will help your wallet.

Excessive Decorative Pillows

Who isn't guilty of walking into a HomeGoods store to pick up one serving bowl and walking out with eight throw pillows? Interior designer Galey Grimes encourages you to hold yourself back. "While they might look chic in photos, too many throw pillows can quickly go from stylish to impractical," she says. People often spent a lot of dough on high-end decorative pillows only to discover they're more of a nuisance, she says. "Instead of surplus, I recommend focusing on pillows with luxurious textures and subtle patterns that complement the overall design without overwhelming the space."

Vases

There are plenty of pretty vases out there—and we definitely don't want to hold you back from buying one you've been pining over—but you can find excellent options at second-hand stores for way less, says designer Krista Wells of Georgestown on My Mind. "You can get them so cheap at a thrift store, and you can even paint and upcycle them to make them more your style," she says.

Superfluous Millwork

No shade to architectural detailing, which we love (just look at the REAL SIMPLE Home!), but sometimes adding lots of millwork in doesn't quite fit the space, says Alma Russo of AR Interiors. "Clients are often talked into over-the-top wainscoting or shiplap that does not necessarily relate to the architecture of their home," she says. These additions can be expensive, holding you back from spending your budget somewhere else it may be more needed. "Sometimes a well-scaled base molding and beautiful crown can be just the right amount of carpentry and still leave a budget for furnishings and wallpaper in a space."

Oversized Chandeliers

Interior designer Annie Downing says she's seen many a homeowner splurge on an oversized, trendy chandelier, only to see it totally overpower a room. "The massive industrial fixture or the ultra-modern piece that feels completely out of place often disrupts the scale and proportion of the space and date quickly as trends change," she says. She recommends focusing on high-quality, timeless lighting like classic lanterns or well-placed sconces.

Fake Plants

Note: Not all fake plants are created equal and sometimes a faux fern can really liven up a space. But, some of these are made of cheaper materials and the leaves start to fade due to sunlight, notes designer Mikel Welch. "They just become dust collectors because you end up avoiding them," he says. If you do decide to buy faux plants, keep your eyes peeled for higher-end materials like silk or real-touch plastic, and pay attention to color and texture.

Mass-Produced Art

Art should help your home feel like your home, but when people quickly want to decorate a whole home or finish off a gallery wall, they'll often turn to big-box store prints to do the job. You're better off waiting and collecting items that really mean something to you, says Camila Pavone of Effortless Style. "An added perk of finding art elsewhere is that you are supporting a small business," she says.

Showpiece Appliances

Of course you want your kitchen appliances to look nice, but they should also be super functional, says designer Jessica Davis of Atelier Davis. If you're spending a ton on an oven that's just going to sit there looking pretty instead of being used, you may want to rethink it. "I'd rather use that money on something else nice or more usable," she says.