Nate Berkus is one of the best-known names in interior design, with a style that often mixes classic pieces with comfortable, lived-in details. His work has inspired plenty of homeowners, but some of his design choices can leave other designers questioning whether they work in everyday homes.
A room can look great in photos and still be difficult to live with, especially when furniture, storage, or decorative details get in the way. Here are some of the Nate Berkus design choices that have drawn criticism, along with the practical problems designers see with them.
Furniture in Small Spaces
Large sofas and chairs can make a room feel comfortable, but they can quickly overwhelm a small space. Some designers feel that using oversized furniture in compact rooms leaves too little room to move and throws off the proportions of the space.
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Too Much Beige
Neutral colors are a common part of Nate Berkus’s style, and beige can make a room feel calm and easy to decorate. The problem starts when there is so much beige that the room lacks contrast, color, or interesting details.
Over-Reliance on Trends
Keeping up with popular design ideas can make a room feel fresh, but trends can lose their appeal after a few years. Some designers think certain Berkus spaces lean too heavily on current styles instead of using pieces that can work for many years.
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Open Shelving in Kitchens
Open kitchen shelving can give a space a lighter look and make everyday dishes easy to reach. The downside is that everything stays on display, while dust, grease, and clutter can turn those attractive shelves into another chore.
Overuse of Brass
Brass hardware and fixtures can bring warmth to a room and work especially well with certain colors and materials. Using brass on nearly every surface, though, can make the room feel dated and take attention away from other design details.
Layered Rugs
Putting one rug over another can add pattern and texture while helping define different areas of a room. Some designers question the practicality of this setup because layered rugs can shift, create uneven surfaces, and become a tripping concern for children, pets, or older adults.
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Minimal Support Floating Shelves
Floating shelves have a clean appearance and can make a wall look less crowded than traditional shelving. The problem is that poorly supported shelves can sag or fall when loaded with heavy books, dishes, or decorative pieces.
Overly Styled Coffee Tables
A coffee table covered with books, candles, trays, and decorative objects can look great in a room photo. In everyday life, that same setup can leave little room for a coffee cup, remote control, laptop, or the snacks that usually end up on the table.
Gallery Walls Everywhere
Gallery walls can give a home personality and provide a place to display family photos, artwork, or favorite finds. Too many gallery walls can make a home feel visually crowded, and getting the spacing and arrangement right can take plenty of time.
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Faux Plants
Artificial plants are easy to care for and can add greenery to rooms where real plants might struggle. Critics of the look say faux greenery can lack the freshness of living plants, while real plants can also offer air-quality benefits according to NASA.
Bulky Drapes
Heavy curtains can add color, privacy, and a more formal feel to a room. Thick drapes can also block natural light and make a smaller or darker space feel even heavier.
Too Many Textures
Mixing fabrics, finishes, and materials can keep a room from feeling flat and give the space more visual interest. Nate Berkus likes to use a combination of fabrics, finishes, and materials, but some designers feel that too many competing textures can make a room feel disconnected.
Statement Walls That Dominate
A bold wallpaper pattern or strong paint color can give a plain room plenty of personality. When the wall becomes the first thing everyone notices, though, it can overpower the furniture and other details instead of working with them.
