Do The Primary Bed & Bathroom Need To Match? Here's What Jeremiah Brent Thinks

There are hundreds of unwritten interior design rules. For example, many people avoid a dark color palette in smaller rooms so it doesn't feel cramped, or assume you have to stick with one design aesthetic to create a coordinated space. Of course, these rules are in good faith, and all aim to create balance and cohesion in a home. And based on how important it is to unify spaces, it's easy to understand why you'd assume you must match your primary bedroom and your bathroom. However, according to AD100 interior designer and "Queer Eye" star Jeremiah Brent, you can forget about following this design rule — and any design rule, for that matter.

"Truth is, design is supposed to be personal at its core — that's it," Brent explains in an interview with Architectural Digest. Brent's bedroom and ensuite bathroom, designed by him and his designer husband Nate Berkus, "have nothing to do with each other. And that's great." he says. Rather than thinking of interior design as abiding by a set of rules or following design trends, Brent explains that design is about expressing our authentic selves and making styling choices based on how we define living beautifully. "I think it just largely depends on you and what you want."

In interior design, building a unified space is important. A cohesive color palette, consistent patterns and texture, and using complementary furniture and finishes are all ways that tie open-plan spaces together. But behind closed doors — like the one separating your primary bedroom and bathroom — you can mix it up. For example, Jeremiah Brent and Nate Berkus opted for a dark, moody palette and a panoramic wallpaper to fill their bedroom, while their bathroom features swaths of bright marble-washed walls and gold fixtures.

Even though the rooms are technically connected, it's okay to think of your primary bed and bathroom as totally separate spaces. Instead, you might think of the bigger picture, like how your home reflects your design style as a whole, then showcase those elements in each room with individual pieces. During their house tour for Architectural Digest, Brent explains that he and Berkus wanted to execute contrast throughout their home by mixing traditional and modern elements. In their bedroom, they did this by incorporating a traditional wallpaper with modern fixtures, then flipping this sentiment in the primary bathroom by pairing vintage fixtures with modern marble slabs.