"I Believe Great Design Tells a Story and a Room Should Feel Authentic, Lived-In, and Deeply Personal" — Nate Berkus on Choosing Color Schemes and Designing a Meaningful Home

The award-winning designer shares how it all began, his key influences, and his go-to colors and accessories

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A modern bedroom with white walls and ceiling and wood flooring, with two dark beige velvet armchairs facing each other at the foot of the bed with a headboard of the same material, matching the roman brands hung above the black-framed windows
(Image credit: Christopher Dibble)

Nate Berkus is one of the most talked-about names in the design industry. A best-selling author, TV personality, and award-winning designer, he now marks 30 years of his eponymous design studio, proving he has the staying power to remain relevant through the ever-changing interior design trends and styles.

The key to this is his ability to design timeless spaces, those that are personal and champion the beauty of the past. "Home is absolutely about what we hold dear, from objects to memories, to a feeling," says Nate Berkus. "Things that remind us of where we’ve been, and what matters most to us."

With Nate's latest book, Foundations — his first in over a decade — recently published, offering readers his guide to timeless design, it signals a new era for the designer, and I was keen to find out how it all began, what matters most to him, and what's next.

Nate Berkus headshot leaning on a plinth with one arm resting on the plinth and the other touching his chin while smiling at the camera wearing a black t-shirt

"I’m focused on bringing fresh energy to both my brand and myself." Nate Berkus (Image credit: Dennis Gocer, The Collective You)

How did your design journey begin?

My mom was a decorator, and she used to take me to antique malls when I was little. She taught me early on that old things matter — that objects have stories. That curiosity, that love of things with history, turned into a 30-year career that I’m grateful for every day.

What has been your career highlight/low point?

Moving to New York to host my NBC talk show was both an incredible opportunity and a challenge. I learned a lot, but being in a studio cooking chickens every day didn’t spark joy for me. There have been a lot of highs and lows over the years, and they’ve taught me a lot about resilience and leadership. Recently, publishing my book Foundations has been a career highlight. It’s the culmination of three decades of design experience, broken down room by room. The book encompasses all that I’ve learned over the last 30 years — and my hope is that it will give readers the tools to create a home that feels meaningful to them.

What would you say are your key design influences?

Banquette corner seating with black leather seat cushions and striped back cushions around a green marble table with a plant, candelabra and bowl on top with plums scattered across it with glass-fronted display cabinets behind

A banquette seating corner of dreams. (Image credit: Heather Talbert)

My influences always come back to history, craftsmanship, and travel. I’m inspired by things that have stood the test of time — an 18th-century gilded mirror, a beautifully made piece of jewelry, a historic home. I’ve always loved French design from the 40s and 50s: rich materials, ornate lighting, patterned rugs, and iron details paired with a modern restraint. There’s a quiet luxury in that era that still feels grounded and livable.

How would you describe your style?

Layered, collected, and always evolving. I believe great design tells a story and a room should feel authentic, lived-in, and deeply personal. A well-designed space for me is one that has been assembled over time, and truly reflects the people who live in it.

How do you choose a color scheme?

A contemporary living space or conservatory with a green pattern sofa in the center with wooden furnishings around and brass lighting

Patterned sofas are where it's at — and you can see why. (Image credit: Heather Talbert)

I always start with how I want the space to feel. From there, I use what I call my three-color formula: a soft, neutral shade on the walls for a timeless foundation; crisp white on the trim for contrast; and a slightly deeper tone on doors or window frames for depth. It keeps the palette cohesive while allowing the room to evolve naturally. I tend to gravitate toward warm neutrals because they pair beautifully with natural materials and collected objects.

Do you have a favorite color?

Army Green or Oxblood.

Are there any particular materials/fabrics that you always use?

A fireplace with a framed picture resting on top and some decorative items and a vase of flowers, with a black and white checkered rug in front with a cream armchair and side table on top; a large grey vase with a plant inside sits next to the fireplace next to a statement wooden chair

The best rugs can be transformative, as this space goes to prove. (Image credit: Pieter Estersohn)

I have a deep appreciation for anything handcrafted — woven, carved, stitched, shaped by someone’s hands. And things that feel time-worn — marble, natural stone, brass and bronze…anything with patina.

What are your go-to accessories for a space?

Vintage pieces — think brass candlesticks, decorative boxes, whimsical objects with a story. I also always reach for books, whether layered on a coffee table or part of a library.

What's worth investing in?

A modern living room with floor-to-high-ceiling black-framed windows with doors that open out onto a patio and a large beige sofa along the back wall facing a media wall with a wooden coffee table in the center

This modern living room oozes style, with decorative details and a warm color scheme. (Image credit: Heather Talbert)

I go into this in quite a lot of detail in my new book, Foundations, because I think design, and the concept of living well, is not always about something being expensive. It can be as simple as a set of crisp new sheets, or a £10 vintage accessory from the flea market that lives on your mantel.

Do you have a set approach for each project?

A kid's bedroom with a single bed in the center of the room, with a small room divider running along the back, and a small nightstand; pink patterned wallpaper covers all the walls, with one built-in and one standalone wardrobe unit, and a fitted desk with a boucle white chair

I love the design of this kid's room — pure characterful joy. (Image credit: Kelly Marshall)

It’s really about understanding the client — who they are, and more importantly, who they aspire to be. What colors do they love to wear, where do they like to travel, and how do they want to live in the space? And from there, we gather imagery that weaves all those pieces together to start to tell a story.

What makes a 'home'?

A dining space with mirrored walls flanked either side with glass-fronted shelving housing crockery and glassware and brown leather seats sit around one side of the table with in-built seating along the back wall on top of herringbone flooring

Mirrored walls are a unique way to add extra light, depth and personality to a space. (Image credit: Kelly Marshall)

I’ve always said: people, pets, things — in that order. Home is absolutely about what we hold dear, from objects to memories, to a feeling. Things that remind us of where we’ve been, and what matters most to us.

What's your favorite room in your home, and why?

A contemporary kitchen with marble countertops and kitchen island with a pendant light above and glass-covered extension to expand the space with arched black-framed windows and a large plant sits on the countertop in the corner of the room

The marble veining that runs from the kitchen island, across the countertops and into the sink, is a thing of beauty. (Image credit: Kelly Marshall)

The kitchen — hands down. It’s where we gather as a family and where life actually happens. It’s the room that feels the most alive. That and the laundry room. I can spend hours organizing in there; it’s definitely my domain.

Do you have a top tip for designing a home on a tight budget?

Start with a deep edit — organize drawers, clear surfaces, and rediscover what you already own. You’d be surprised how transformative it is when an old piece is reimagined in a new spot. And shop your local vintage or antiques mall; they are the best places to find unique, affordable pieces that will instantly add character.

What are you working on next?

An entryway marble console with an antique mirror hung above and two matching table lamps wither side with a photo frame and decorative item

Make a statement above a console table with an antique style mirror that does all the talking. (Image credit: Julie Holder)

I’m focused on bringing fresh energy to both my brand and myself. I want to keep pushing forward — as a trusted, timeless American designer, but also as a businessman, husband, and father. In many ways, this new chapter began with the launch of my book Foundations, and it will continue into 2026 with new design projects, collaborations, and a renewed sense of creativity.

Debbie Black
Debbie Black
Deputy Editor (Digital)

Debbie is Livingetc's deputy editor (digital). She embarked on her career in the publishing industry almost 20 years ago, with experience spanning interiors and fashion brands across both print and digital platforms.

She has worked for titles including ELLE Decoration, World of Interiors, ELLE, Condé Nast Traveller, GQ, and Glamour, among others. She is a lover of all things interiors and loves planning a makeover project. She can often be found moving furniture and decor around her house for the millionth time or else watering her 50 houseplants!