Most people think an expensive-looking home requires new furniture, fresh paint, or at least a complete room refresh. You walk through your space wondering what major purchase will finally make everything feel pulled together. The truth is simpler and far less costly than you imagine.
Celebrity designer Nate Berkus has built his career on interiors that feel timeless rather than trendy, and his latest advice centers on something counterintuitive. Instead of rushing to buy the next big thing, he advocates for a philosophy built on restraint, intentional editing, and investing in pieces that will matter a decade from now. His collaboration with Rugs USA underscores that thoughtful design isn’t about following trends – it’s about understanding what truly transforms a space.
The problem isn’t what you’re missing
Berkus told E! that his approach to spring has nothing to do with acquisition. For him, it’s all about refining, editing, donating, cleaning, and organizing. He cannot believe that his little family of four can gather and keep and hang on to so much over one season. The goal isn’t bringing anything new in – it’s getting everything out.
As maximalism continues to trend across social media and interiors, Berkus points out that the real issue isn’t the aesthetic itself. The pressure behind it is what causes problems. He believes trends in general are designed to make people feel bad about what they missed out on or what they think everybody has that they don’t. If maximalism feels like the right look for you and you’re not doing it just because a lot of people are doing it, then buy and collect things you know you’re going to love 10 years from now. That distinction matters.
It’s the pieces that do double duty
When it comes to furnishings, Berkus focuses on items that anchor a room while remaining versatile. The Yves Bordered Wool Cozy Rug feels both classic and new. Hand-tufted wool gives this mid-century modern bordered design a soft and cozy feel, while the medium cut pile brings a sense of quality that is so often missing. This is a rug that can change the mood and tone of a space – from a quiet reading nook to a bustling living room. Its solid design allows it to be a sophisticated, versatile base for layering with all the things that tell the story of who you are.
A sofa crafted with genuine Italian leather and sustainably sourced wood offers luxury and durability. The high-density foam cushions, topped with recycled polyfiber, provide down-like comfort without the upkeep. An ottoman with clean, sleek minimalist design gets accentuated by tapered legs, hinting subtly at the mid-century aesthetic. The warm and inviting cognac upholstery infuses the piece with a contemporary and cozy touch that makes it perfect for blending into modern farmhouse aesthetics.
Lighting does the same work. A table lamp featuring a pleated glass design and an antique brass finish comes with a touch sensor for easy operation, plus one rechargeable battery with a 9-hour battery life. Another lamp designed with a subtly raised pattern and soft green dots sits on a gold base and is topped with a neutral linen shade. Its blend of earthy materials and metallic finishes makes it a stylish lighting option for modern, farmhouse, glam, contemporary, or country interiors. A sophisticated mirror adds depth and light to any space while serving as a statement decor piece. The solid metal construction ensures durability, and the slight raised edges add an extra touch of craftsmanship.
The overlooked category that transforms entertaining
Berkus, an author and TV personality, believes some of the best pieces to invest in are the ones people often overlook. He actually thinks that the world of high-end tabletop has been ignored. Entertaining is obviously about food and setting the environment and all those things, music and lighting, but it’s also about the ability to set a beautiful table. You can start collecting those things now.
Stemmed wine glasses crafted from European crystal have a modern, angled silhouette with elegant stems and come in four delicate pastel hues. Sardine napkin rings are a subtle way to add a pop of your personality to your dinner party without going overboard. Choose from a set of 4 or a set of 8. A knife set features handles reminiscent of the vivid colors of the sunsetting in the heart of Tuscany, with luxe cream, autumnal apricot, and deep russet red shades. They’ll look stunning on your tablescape.
If you invest in just one thing, Berkus says this is the piece that makes the biggest impact, no matter the occasion. A pair of vintage antique candlesticks – sterling, bronze, stone, brass, it doesn’t matter. Both for formal entertaining, and more importantly for informal entertaining, because you can use your white dishes with something like that, and it automatically feels elevated. Candlestick holders inspired by vintage designs and updated with a classic, polished brass finish make a statement placed individually on your table or mantle and clustered as a set. That one element does the work.
The one rule that ties everything together
Berkus’s entire philosophy comes down to this: buy pieces you’ll still love 10 years from now, not because everyone else has them. The smallest details – layered lighting, meaningful vintage pieces, thoughtfully chosen tabletop items – make the biggest difference. Instead of chasing trends, focus on refining what you already own and investing in quality pieces that feel personal. That is what reads expensive. That is what looks intentional. That is the trick.
