Nate Berkus's Living Room Is A Fresh Take On This Popular '80s Trend

There's no denying that nostalgic designs are coming back in a big way. From psychedelic '70s chic to the big and bold styles of the '80s, older interior themes are taking over, and for good reason. Many of these ideas are both stylish and functional, standing the test of time. Even big stars and experts like Nate Berkus have found ways to incorporate once big trends like conversations pits, using their own style and flair to make them more modern. When you picture the traditional conversation pit design, you likely imagine a recessed living room space filled with furniture. However, just because a fad is back, it doesn't mean you have to stick to the dated versions. In fact, Berkus has come up with a way to incorporate conversation pits into a room without making it boring or overdone. By adding multiple seating areas in your living room, you're creating a space where people can go to have those individual, branched off conversations that often happen when you're hosting. Berkus recommends setting up these little pockets so people can enjoy more intimate interactions, while also allowing you to incorporate varying pieces of furniture that complement one another.

So, are conversation pits coming back in style? While the stars of Unsellable Houses recommend ditching this home feature, in a recent Instagram post, Berkus shared decorating and design layout tips for a modern take on the seating layout in your living room. He discussed the importance of having a space that is curated to suit guests. If you like to host, his tips for incorporating a modern conversation pit are both stylish and clever, giving you the option to mix and match furnishings to build dimension and create a truly personal look.

Create a conversation pit using furniture

No stranger to arranging a home intentionally with layout in mind, Berkus showed followers exactly how to design an updated version of the popular 80s trend. "Multiple seating areas allow me to have different shapes," Berkus explained in his Instagram post when discussing how his room is set up with several groups of furniture. He explained that, often when you're hosting a gathering, there are smaller groups who like to go have separate conversations in a more quiet area. Accommodating this means that you are creating the ultimate space for people to hang out and enjoy themselves. It turns out it's easy to DIY a trendy faux conversation pit without digging into the floor simply by focusing on your furnishings. Berkus also explained that by grouping different pieces of furniture in a conversation style layout, you can introduce designs that create more texture and visual interest in the room, like those pulling inspiration from different aesthetics or eras.

It's not just Nate Berkus who uses this clever design hack to build a conversation pit without renovations. Martha Stewart posted on her Instagram showing off a new furniture arrangement at her Skylands property, and the living room shows smaller huddles of couches and lounge chairs facing one another. These cozier setups allow for more socialization, as opposed to spreading the furnishings out all over the room and causing some people to have to relocate or move pieces of furniture to chat.

Make several smaller conversation areas

When it comes to creating your own conversation style layout, make the most out of the furniture and the space you have. For larger rooms and open concepts, consider grouping a few pieces together in different sections of the room. Two smaller chairs and a side table in a nook or off to one side or against a wall, a couch and two or three chairs arranged in a circle or rectangle with a table in the middle, or even two couches facing one another with a coffee table in between are all options for a faux conversation pit. In his post, Berkus says giving two people their own space to chat is something he likes to incorporate, and this approach could work for you, too.

Rather than having your furniture turned towards a TV or a specific focal point, having them pointed toward one another is the key. For smaller living rooms, rather than having your furniture pieces directly facing each other, consider tilting them so that conversation is easier without blocking off the rest of the room.

Use a rug underneath your furniture to help keep all of the pieces connected and create even more of a designated space. If you're short on chairs or couches, introduce oversized pillows for a Boho style "pit" that allows more people to converse while keeping the space from getting too cluttered with oversized furniture. Use varying heights in shelving and plants around your seating area to help create the feel of a recessed space.

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