Nate Berkus is a familiar name in home design, known for rooms that feel personal without losing sight of everyday function. His ideas sometimes stray from the standard renovation playbook, giving homeowners a few fresh ways to think about their own spaces.
A good renovation does more than make a room look different; it should also make the home work better for the people who live there. From mixing old and new pieces to paying attention to the ceiling, these Nate Berkus inspired tips can help you make choices that feel right for your home.
Break the Rules
Berkus often treats design rules as suggestions rather than strict instructions, so a home doesn’t have to follow every decorating convention. If you love mismatched chairs, bold wallpaper, or an unusual color combination, finding a way to make it work can give the room more personality.
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Make It Personal
A home feels more personal when it includes things that have meaning to the people who live there. Family photos, inherited furniture, artwork, and other keepsakes can give a renovated space a story that new furniture alone can’t provide.
Buy Vintage, Not Just New
A room filled entirely with brand-new furniture can sometimes feel too predictable, which is why Berkus often mixes older pieces with newer ones. A vintage sideboard, old mirror, or reclaimed wood detail can add character, while reusing furniture also keeps more items out of landfills.
The Environmental Protection Agency reports that more than 12 million tons of furniture waste end up in landfills each year, so buying secondhand can also be a practical way to reduce waste.
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Lighting Makes or Breaks a Space
Lighting can change the way a room looks and feels, yet it is easy to overlook during a renovation. Combining ceiling fixtures, lamps, task lighting, and accent lights gives you more control over the room, while dimmers make it easier to adjust the mood throughout the day.
Don’t Be Afraid to Go Dark
Light colors are popular for a reason, but darker shades can give certain rooms a warmer and more intimate feel. Deep navy, charcoal, and black can work especially well with good lighting and lighter furniture or decorative accents.
Plan Storage Like a Pro
Storage should be part of the renovation plan instead of something added after everything else is finished. Built-in shelves, hidden storage, and furniture with more than one use can help keep everyday clutter under control without taking away from the room’s appearance.
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Splurge Where It Counts
Nate Berkus takes a balanced view of where homeowners should spend their renovation budgets. It can make sense to save on decorative pieces while spending more on things you use every day, such as a well-made sofa, durable countertops, or a solid front door.
Test Paint Colors in the Daylight
Paint can look completely different depending on the time of day and the type of light in a room. Instead of choosing a color from a small store sample, test it on your own walls and check how it looks in the morning, afternoon, and evening.
The “Why” Before the “What”
Before choosing finishes, furniture, or colors, think about why you are renovating the space in the first place. Maybe you need more storage, want a better layout, or simply want the room to feel more comfortable, and that reason can help guide the choices that follow.
Related: 16 Costly Mistakes Homeowners Make During Renovations
Consider the Ceilings
Ceilings often get overlooked while homeowners focus on floors, walls, cabinets, and fixtures. Adding wood beams, a bold paint color, wallpaper, or another interesting finish can give the ceiling a role in the room instead of leaving it as an afterthought.
