14 Nate Berkus Secrets for a Stylish Home That Real Estate Agents Dislike
This post may contain affiliate links.
A Nate Berkus designed space feels a bit like being wrapped in a warm embrace. Not only is his style visually captivating, but the way he puts everything together gives each item the feeling that it’s been chosen for a reason: both functional and personal. Berkus has won over design enthusiasts everywhere, but his technique often leaves real estate agents rolling their eyes.
Berkus doesn’t see a home as being about resale value. It’s about making a space that’s lived in by the people who live there, where imperfections and personal touches elevate the experience of the everyday. This stylistic approach contradicts the more generic, neutral, aesthetic the real estate agents usually favor, to appeal to the broadest audience possible. With that in mind, let’s explore a few of these unique insights that agents will cringe, but your home will become unforgettable.
Prioritize Comfort
For Berkus, comfort is key. He believes a stylish home should be a place to relax and unwind with plush throws and inviting sofas. Sometimes, real estate agents will pick form over function and recommend sleek, less comfortable furniture that ‘looks’ good in photos. Berkus reminds us, however, that a home should be lived in, not just looked at.
Don’t Be Afraid of Patterns
Berkus says patterns are a way of adding a dose of personality whether it’s a patterned wallpaper or a bold textile. Real estate agents are generally afraid of patterns because they don’t want to clash with the tastes of buyers. Patterns can make a space feel vibrant and unique, but they can also make a space feel empty. The patterns you choose to live in a space with speak to you and make it feel both personal and alive.
Layer in Unexpected Art
Berkus also loves to inject art where you least expect it—behind a door frame, in the bathroom, or hidden in a bookshelf. Art doesn’t have to be big or grand, it can be small and charming and somehow feel curated. Agents might have art to a minimum to stay unfettered, but Berkus uses it as a means to layer in creativity and joy.
Mix Old and New Pieces
Berkus’ philosophy of design is to combine vintage with modern elements to add depth and interest to a space. He’s also known to put together an antique wooden cabinet with sleek, modern art or place a vintage chair next to a contemporary coffee table. This mix tells a story of history and character layered in a room. But real estate agents prefer consistency across decor, because it makes a space easier to market. In reality though, blending eras adds warmth, personality and a lived in charm that can’t be found in a perfectly matched set.
Embrace Imperfection
Berkus says a home should be lived in with imperfections and all. In fact, these ‘flaws’ often give a space a comforting authenticity, whether it’s a slightly worn leather sofa or a chipped coffee table. The sterile quality of perfection can be one of walking into a showroom instead of a home. Usually real estate agents go for pristine, untouched surfaces to attract the buyer, but Berkus’ approach is a call back to little things, the marks that make each piece your own.
Say Yes to Personal Collections
Berkus says the personal collections are what make a home feel like a home. Travel souvenirs, old family photos, or even quirky knick knacks display depth to a space and give you a glimpse into its inhabitants. Agents tend to discourage this because they find it ‘personalizes’ the home too much, making it difficult for buyers to see themselves in the space. If you’re going to stay, who are you designing for? Love your collections, they add to what makes your space uniquely yours.
Create “Moments” Throughout the Home
Berkus’s key design secret is to create little ‘moments’ inside the home—tiny spaces that feel meticulously planned and unique. It could be a well loved chair and a cozy reading nook, a beautifully styled bar cart, or a display of plants by the window. This might be seen as clutter by real estate agents but these vignettes bring a home to life and give it a feeling of being truly loved and lived in. And after all, it’s these moments that make your home memorable.
Layer Textures
A Berkus signature is mixing textures, such as soft linen curtains and a rough-hewn wooden table. But real estate agents often strive for streamlined surfaces to make things look clean and open. As Berkus would argue, layers of texture add dimension to space, make it interesting, and inviting. You don’t want your home to feel flat and a range of textures can add that much needed depth.
Opt for Antique Rugs
For wide appeal, agents may choose neutral, uniform carpets, but Berkus often recommends antique rugs. A well worn rug brings history and character to a room, making even the most modern room feel unique. These are the choices that give a home richness, telling stories of places, times, making the space feel curated, not decorated.
Play With Scale
Berkus isn’t afraid of mixing large furniture into small rooms or a standout piece in a room with minimalism. Playing with scale gives the space interest visually and a dynamic quality. Large, statement pieces are something real estate agents might steer clear of, worried they’ll be too much or make the room feel closed in. However, if you pick a few oversized pieces with care, you can actually make a room feel grand and dramatic.
Pick Furniture With Character
Furniture with an original style or interesting lines are a part of the design world, they add character to a room. Berkus tends to choose furniture pieces that aren’t simply in the background, but are bold in their own right. However, in contrast to designers, agents usually recommend more neutral, ‘safe’ furniture choices in order to appeal to a wider audience. A couch or table that attracts your attention each time you walk in the room? That’s priceless.
Incorporate Natural Elements
He often uses natural materials such as stone, wood, plants to warm up and earthiness in his designs. While real estate agents may prefer a more polished look with modern, industrial materials, natural elements provide balance and a little bit of the outdoors in, and studies have shown that natural materials can help us feel calmer and more connected to our environment, which is worth it.
Add Dark Colors to Small Spaces
Berkus says not to ignore dark colors in small rooms, as they can make a room feel cozy and intimate, contrary to popular advice. Berkus knows that darker palettes can be dramatic and sophisticated and many real estate agents believe that painting small spaces white to make them look bigger and brighter. That’s not about a visual trick, it’s about creating a feeling. Not all walls need to be a deep navy or a charcoal wall, but one that is could definitely make the room feel like a little escape.
Use Statement Lighting
Berkus likes lighting that tells a story, whether it’s a grand chandelier in the entry or a sculptural floor lamp in the living room. Light fixtures in a space are not only illuminating it but also art, with attention and mood setting capabilities. Simple, understated lighting fixtures are often the choice of agents, as they don’t want to draw undue attention to the lighting fixtures themselves. In reality, though, a statement piece can be just that, a focal point, giving your home both charm and personality.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
Affordable Home Entertainment: 11 Must-Have Finds For Enhancing Your Family Movie Nights
Affordable Home Entertainment: 11 Must-Have Finds For Enhancing Your Family Movie Nights
How to Clean Your Smoker Grill Combo Like a Pro
How to Clean Your Smoker Grill Combo Like a Pro
15 Common Mistakes That Unknowingly Make
15 Common Mistakes That Unknowingly Make Your Home Look Bad