Interior designer Nate Berkus is urging homeowners to abandon short-lived decor trends and instead invest in pieces with lasting value. In a recent interview, Berkus emphasized that true style comes from curation, not accumulation.
"My whole thing around spring is not bringing anything new in," Berkus told E! News. "It's getting everything out. I cannot believe that our little family of four can gather and keep and hang on to so much over one season. So for me, it's all about refining, editing, donating, cleaning, and organizing."
Berkus argues that trends often create unnecessary pressure. "I think the issue with trends in general is that they're designed to make people feel bad about what they 'missed out' on or what they think everybody has that they don't," he explained. "If that's something that feels like it's the right look for you, and you're not doing it just because a lot of people are doing it, then I would definitely buy and collect things that you know you're going to love 10 years from now."
Here are Berkus's five recommended investment pieces that transcend seasonal fads:
1. Vintage or Antique Furniture/Lighting Berkus champions vintage finds, noting they "stay with you forever" and develop character over time.
2. A Quality Mirror "A beautiful gilded mirror or an iron mirror is something that you'll always find a place for no matter where you move," he advised.
3. A Well-Made Sofa "It doesn't have to be expensive, but it does need to be well made and in a solid fabric," Berkus emphasized, highlighting durability over designer labels.
4. Tabletop Essentials Berkus believes overlooked categories like silver, porcelain, napkin rings, and stemware offer exceptional value. "When young people aren't paying attention to a category like silver or porcelain or napkin rings or stemware. That's when you can get the best deals," he shared. "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."
5. Candlestick Holders Simple, elegant candlestick holders create ambiance and can be used for decades across various decor styles.
In a departure from his usual minimalist approach, Berkus collaborated with Pepperidge Farm to create a limited-edition Chessmen Cookie Board, blending his design philosophy with entertaining. The board will be available for $60 via two limited drops on April 22 and April 29 at 10 am ET.
Berkus's core message remains clear: invest in pieces with longevity rather than chasing temporary trends. "The key pieces to buy are pieces you'll use for the rest of your life," he concluded.