6 Home Improvement Mistakes to Avoid (and Thinstone Veneer Solutions)

When it comes to making your home look polished, timeless, and high-value, some DIY shortcuts just don’t deliver the result you hope for. The Spruce recently highlighted six common home projects that can have the opposite effect — taking away from your home’s appeal, rather than enhancing it. Great design balances beauty and function. Natural stone veneer can play a key role in that balance, adding warmth, durability, and authentic texture that elevates any space. Below, along with the "don'ts," we’re exploring six smart ways to create lasting, design-forward updates with natural Thinstone Veneer instead.

CT Blend (custom pattern) by Northeast Walls & Patios (materials from Landcare/OLS)

1. Don't: "Paint countertops to look like marble." (The Spruce)
Do instead: Introduce natural stone veneer or genuine stone elements for authentic character.

Thinstone Veneer used as a backsplash, countertop edge detail, or full fireplace surround offers genuine visual depth and timeless appeal. Natural stone veneer combines the beauty of quarried stone with easier installation and lighter weight, making it an attainable upgrade that instantly elevates any surface.

2. Don’t: "Overuse shiplap or wood-board paneling." (The Spruce)
Do instead: Add texture and balance with stone veneer accent walls.

Instead of covering every wall, highlight one focal area — such as a living-room fireplace, entryway, or outdoor column — with natural stone veneer. The organic texture and variation of stone bring dimension and visual interest without feeling trendy or overdone.

Old New England Rounds Backsplash/Accent Wall by Stephens Landscaping (materials from NH Thinstone)

3. Don’t: "Use peel-and-stick backsplashes as a permanent fix."(The Spruce)
Do instead: Create a lasting impression with a natural stone veneer backsplash.

Stone veneer offers authentic texture, durability, and a sense of craftsmanship that peel-and-stick materials can’t replicate. Even a small installation — such as behind a range or bar area — adds instant sophistication and helps your kitchen or bath feel built-to-last.

4. Don’t: "Install faux brick or 'stone' wall panels." (The Spruce)
Do instead: Choose real natural stone veneer with authentic depth and variation.

Real stone veneer showcases organic color shifts, irregular shapes, and subtle texture changes that give each installation one-of-a-kind appeal. Unlike faux panels that fade or scratch easily, genuine stone veneer is built to last — indoors or out.

American Mist Roughly Squares & Rectangles fireplace by KS Hardscapes (materials from Landcare/OLS)

5. Don’t: "Design overly themed rooms that feel gimmicky." (The Spruce)
Do instead: Let natural materials do the storytelling.

Use stone veneer as an architectural anchor — a fireplace surround, feature wall, or bar  — and let your décor layer in personality subtly. Stone’s timeless texture grounds a space and allows design elements like artwork, lighting, and furniture to stand out.

6. Don’t: "Rely on low-quality laminate or plastic-veneer furniture for 'upgrades'." (The Spruce)
Do instead: Invest in architectural details that elevate your space naturally.

Rather than filling space with low-quality furniture, enhance the space itself with enduring materials. Stone veneer accent walls and seating walls add a sense of craftsmanship that outlasts trends. The texture and integrity of stone make even modest furniture feel elevated in comparison.

Good design doesn’t chase trends — it builds lasting value through balance, texture, and authenticity. Natural Thinstone Veneer brings those elements together beautifully. It’s not just a decorative upgrade; it’s a way to make your home more functional, timeless, and uniquely yours.

For more natural stone inspiration, download our Residential Design Guide here!