The Vintage Decor Item Nate Berkus Swears By Is A 2025 Trendsetter

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HGTV's Nate Berkus is known for his impeccable and unique design acumen that filters throughout both his television remodels and restylings, as well as his own beautiful home. On Instagram, he has been spotted touting the beauty of luxuriously carved, gilded mirrors, which are already on trend to become one of 2025's most popular items for decorating. They come in all sizes and flavors of design, from intricate, ornate, gilded oversize mirrors to smaller, more geometric or Art Deco-inspired designs that make it easy to decorate your home with mirrors.

These beautiful mirrors are not just elegant and sculptural, but can also help set a room's design tone. According to Berkus in a recent reel, "In my opinion, every home needs at least one vintage gold-gilded mirror. I love using bigger mirrors to visually trick the eye into thinking a space is bigger than it actually is (like our foyer). A big, beautiful vintage mirror makes the room feel taller, and you will ALWAYS find a place for it, no matter where you move or how your home evolves." (via Facebook)

There are several great places to find gilded mirrors, including secondhand venues, antique and thrift shops, as well as newer retail pieces at a number of price points. These range from Amazon's budget-friendly Vintage Arched Bathroom Mirror to Anthropologie's luxe and very popular Gleaming Primrose Mirror. When shopping for vintage and antique mirrors, there are several key factors to look for, according to Berkus, who seeks out genuine gold gilding in his mirror selections instead of frames that are merely painted gold. These frames often feature hand-applied gold leaf that creates a more varied and subtle finish on the mirror's frame.

Older mirrors may also contain characteristics that modern reproductions lack, like wear or discoloration on the back due to age, imperfections in the glass, and more hand-wrought construction. While pre-19th-century frames are likely to be hand-carved throughout, later frames were wood with composite accents added during the manufacturing process. If you haven't found the perfect gilded frame for your home, there are ways to transform inexpensive retail and thrifted frames into luxe gilded pieces. The addition of paint, gold leafing, and wood appliques at the corners and around the perimeter makes for a stunning gold leaf mirror makeover. You can even age the look of the glass with an antiqued mirror DIY.

Each era of design has had its own version of the gilded mirror, ranging from antique Baroque or Rococo mirrors with ornate carvings to sleeker Art Deco models that showcase more arched or geometric lines. Other popular designs include slender altar mirrors and retro midcentury sunburst-inspired designs.

The reasons for incorporating one of Nate Berkus's favorite items are many. Not only can golden mirrors add interest and dimension to a bright, blank wall, but they can also be used to create a focal point, such as being placed above a mantle or dining room buffet. Mirrors can also be incorporated to manipulate the visual space of a room, for instance, making a small studio apartment feel much larger with a full-length version. Mirrors can also help light up a dark room by reflecting light. Mount a large one on the wall above a console to light up a dark entryway or hallway.

The carved and gilded accents can also be an excellent fit for a variety of aesthetics, from romantic, old-world glamour to more streamlined, geometric-inspired frames that complement more modern spaces. They also bring another layer of texture and balance to even more minimalistic spaces, while still feeling opulent enough to complement maximalist interiors.