13 Nate Berkus Renovation Rules That DIYers Will Never Understand
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Nate Berkus has his signature flair when it comes to home renovation. The interior designer, famous for his polished-yet-livable spaces, offers a very different take on things for the DIYer who might be puzzled by it. After all, he’s got a renovation playbook with tricks only someone with a seasoned design eye would think to incorporate. For Nate, it’s not just knocking down walls or picking paint colors, it’s creating spaces that are alive and that feel like the people living in them.
Nate doesn’t play fast and loose with quality or intention, and while those who dabble in home projects might get caught up in quick fixes and shortcuts, Nate never skimps. He needs patience, vision and sometimes a bigger budget. If you’re a DIY nut, keep your paintbrushes handy — here are some of Nate Berkus’s renovation rules that will have you scratching your head.
Honor the History of the Home
One of those rules is to respect home’s history, including a home’s architectural roots and its original character. Berkus advises against gutting a space in order to make something trendy, and instead suggests preserving the past by keeping moldings, tiles or woodwork. These elements to him tell a story for the home, depth and character that can never be replicated. This rule may feel a bit like looking backward instead of forward, as DIYers are more likely to be about modernizing than preserving.
Don’t Be Afraid of Dark Colors
Berkus loves dark colors, while many homeowners are afraid to use them because they fear it will make a space seem small. Dark walls can add drama and depth to a room, and can be cozy. In particular, he is known for using dark rich hues in smaller spaces like powder rooms or dens, and for that reason it’s perfectly appropriate. Nate’s approach shows that dark can be just as inviting as light, and DIYers might avoid these shades so that rooms feel open, but light colors.
Personal Artifacts Integration
A room should tell a story, and there’s nothing like personal artifacts to do that. Nate encourages homeowners to incorporate items that hold meaning whether it’s a family heirloom or a piece from a beach vacation. But DIYers might favor the trendy over the sentimental. The reason Nate feels it’s these personal touches that help make a house feel like a home is because store bought decor can’t match the soul.
Design With Flow in Mind
Nate Berkus has a very specific way of arranging furniture and decor, and of how a room should flow. It’s about thinking about how people move through the space and putting pieces where they go, rather than where they fit. DIYers overlook this often because aesthetics are more important than practicality. But Berkus knows that good design isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about making a space that feels comfortable and easy to live in.
Choose Classic Over Trendy
Berkus recommends avoiding trends, and focusing on classic designs instead. And he’s all about timeless style; choices you won’t look dated in five years. If you’re a DIYer who loves a good trend, then this might feel limiting, but Nate believes it’s worth the initial outlay to invest in pieces that won’t date fast. His take? Nothing is classier than classic.
Make Use of Negative Space
Negative space, or “breathing room” is a big thing in the design world. Berkus doesn’t have any qualms about leaving a space empty in a room, so that each piece has its own space to thrive. Nate’s approach is all about balance, and DIYers often try to fill every corner, thinking that more is more. He leaves space blank so that each item gets its own minute, and the whole thing is more sophisticated.
Think About it From Every Angle
Berkus stresses one thing in particular: looking at a room from all angles. He wants each corner to speak its own story, and have a 360 degree experience of walking through the space. Nate’s attention to the details means DIYers might not think to sit and consider a room from every angle, but his designs have a polished, thoughtful look that feels harmonious from every vantage point.
Balance New With Old
Berkus is a lover of vintage finds, but he also strongly believes in a healthy mix of old and new. When one pairs a modern sofa with a vintage coffee table or some modern lamps on an antique dresser, the space doesn’t feel like a time capsule, it’s interesting. When DIYers certainly do things, they often do so in one direction or another, either all new or all vintage. This balance is what Nate keeps in mind so that his design creates a sense of room that feels layered and real.
Proper Planning Involves Investing Time
Nate Berkus won’t rush a project. He thinks the best spaces are those that are thought out and take time. And he’s known for spending weeks, sometimes even months, gathering inspiration and sourcing the perfect items before he starts the actual renovation. In contrast, DIYers tend to want quick results and so make hasty decisions. Berkus’s process may be slower, but it results in spaces that feel very worked out and totally done.
Learn to Appreciate the Beauty of Aging Materials
Berkus doesn’t mind mixing up materials that have been around the block a bit. He thinks there’s beauty in the wear and tear of things, be that an aged brass fixture or a worn leather chair or reclaimed wood. Nate’s approach is the opposite of what many DIYers want: to make everything look fresh and new.
Invest in High-Quality Pieces
Longevity is what good design is. Nate knows that buying good timeless quality furniture will stand the test of time. DIYers might go for a quick win or budget finds but Nate says he prioritizes quality over quantity. DIY renovators who love the thrill of scoring cheap decor at a fraction of the cost don’t always resonate with that investment mindset.
Prioritize Lighting
Nate Berkus swears by lighting, and believes it’s a game changer in any space. Instead of sticking a single ceiling light in the middle of the room, he layers lighting with a mix of sources: table lamps, sconces and chandeliers. He knows good lighting creates ambiance, highlights architectural details and makes people feel good. Any DIYer reading this may be taken aback with how overly complicated and frankly excessive this is…it’s for the professional installer, after all, and if you want to take a do it yourself approach and be satisfied with a basic overhead fixture, then this will likely seem excessive to you.
Bold Patterns and Textures
You might see an unexpected combination of patterns and textures in a Nate Berkus room. Fabric, wallpaper, and in some cases rug, are mixed in ways that seem daring but ultimately work harmoniously together. This approach is intimidating for many DIYers who want a simple palette so they won’t be “clashing.” There’s no fear in mixing, that’s what sets the pros apart from the amateur weekend warriors.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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