13 Nate Berkus Budget-Friendly Decor Hacks Designers Secretly Disapprove Of

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Who doesn’t love a good deal, and when it comes to home decor, many of us turn to budget friendly hacks to refresh our space without breaking the bank. Nate Berkus is one of the most recognizable names in affordable style. Berkus is known for his charm and an eye for design, and has inspired countless DIY decorators to reimagine their homes using cost effective strategies. But not all designers are on board with these budget friendly tricks, and are raising eyebrows about some of Berkus’ most popular recommendations.

In fact some of these wallet friendly hacks, although effective, are considered design faux pas by certain high end professionals. Some shortcuts make designers who prefer elegance, craftsmanship and authenticity cringe. So let’s get into a few Nate Berkus–approved tricks that aren’t so popular in the designer community, and why.

Furniture Against Every Wall

Berkus is also often seen suggesting pushing furniture up against the walls to make a room feel bigger. This can work in some situations, but many designers feel that it makes the space look bare and disconnected. An interior designer’s favorite trick is to “float” furniture by pulling it slightly inward to make for more intimate, conversation friendly arrangements.

Accent Walls With Bold Colors

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Accent walls are something Nate loves because they can provide focus in a room. But some designers believe accent walls break up the flow of a room and are too attention grabbing. They prefer color to be distributed through textiles, accessories or small pieces of decor rather than one bold wall; that way, you get a balanced look without the jarring effect of one brightly painted wall.

String Lights Indoors

Close Up Photo of Brown String Lights — Image Credit: Dzenina Lukac/ Pexels

String lights are a favorite for adding some cozy vibes without spending much. Berkus loves their charm, but some designers feel they are more suited for outdoor or dorm rooms than for sophisticated living spaces. As an alternative, they suggest spending on floor and table lamps that also provide ambiance but don’t have the “college dorm” vibe strings lights do.

Neutral Paint on Every Wall

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Painting your walls in a neutral shade is one of the most affordable and widely recommended decor hacks. This is a classic Berkus move to open up a space and add a sense of calm, but some designers think the less is more approach can leave a room feeling impersonal or sterile.

DIY Open Shelving

From kitchens to living rooms, open shelving is everywhere. This popular trick not only makes a space, but also provides a space to highlight favorite items. But it is also criticized by designers for being cluttered. Real life is messy and chaotic, and open shelves in real life are not going to look as perfect as the perfectly styled photos on Pinterest. Professional organizers will often say that unless you are willing to commit to constant upkeep, open shelving may not be your best friend.

Mirrors in Small Spaces

A classic Berkus hack, an oversized mirror in a small space makes it feel bigger. Though effective, some designers decry that it’s overdone and doesn’t always come across as authentic. A well placed mirror does not have to dominate the space to be effective. Experts suggest choosing mirrors that are proportionate to the room rather than going oversized every time.

Throw Pillows With Busy Patterns

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Nate often tells budget shoppers to grab a few fun throw pillows as a quick way to change the look of a room. But professional designers sometimes think these busy designs don’t mesh with other elements in a room. They suggest putting your money into simpler, better pillows that add height to the space.

Faux Plants for Greenery

Shelf unit with nature image in black frame placed near verdant potted houseplant in light living room — Photo Credit: Ryutaro Tsukata/Pexels

Faux plants are an inexpensive, low maintenance way to add greenery to any room, and can breathe life into any room. Yet designers often frown on fake greenery, which they claim lacks the freshness of real plants. Instead, they argue, a few easy care plants, such as succulents or snake plants, offer the same look, with the added bonus of purifying the air. NASA’s famous Clean Air Study found that real plants can actually reduce indoor air pollutants, something no faux plant can do.

Repurposing Old Furniture With Paint

Man working on furniture — Photo Credit : Pikwizard

The DIY magic of painting an old dresser or chair to give it new life is something Berkus loves. This can be a great hack, but some designers say that paint hides the natural beauty of the wood. They think this hack is trading charm for a trend. Instead, they recommend that wood be refinished in order to keep its character — a nod to craftsmanship that lasts.

Vintage and Ultra Modern Mixture

Nate Berkus is all about mixing the old and new, vintage with modern. While it can look amazing, some designers warn against going too far. If everything is so different than the next, the room can start to feel all over the place. They believe it’s best to stick to one or two statement pieces.

Using Rugs as Wall Art

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Berkus sometimes suggests hanging rugs on the wall as decor in a creative twist. While it’s a budget friendly way to fill a large space, many designers think it’s a little too unconventional. They argue rugs are meant to be on the floor and hanging one on the wall can make a room feel out of sync. Designers say if you’re looking for warmth, tapestries or large canvas art would be better options.

Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper

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Peel-and-stick wallpaper has become the DIY world’s latest craze. It’s quick and easy, and much cheaper than traditional wallpaper, which is why it’s a favorite with renters and budget decorators. However, many design purists think it’s tacky. Temporary wallpaper is often flimsy, they argue, and lacks the elegance of custom, professionally installed options. ‘Peel and stick is fine for a quick refresh, but it always feels like more of a placeholder than a permanent statement.

Mass Produced Prints Hanging on Gallery Walls

Berkus loves making gallery walls because they’re a great way to add visual interest. But, to fill them with mass produced prints from big box stores? Designers tend to cringe. A gallery wall is meant to showcase a bit of personality or travel memories or meaningful artwork, so some pros find it a missed opportunity to fill it with generic prints. If you want to make it really personal, swap in some combination of family photos, some post cards from trips, personal sketches.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.