Nate Berkus' Styling Hack For Curtains Makes Rooms Instantly Luxe

Nate Berkus' go-to window treatment may be Roman shades, but that doesn't mean he overlooks the beauty and practicality of curtains. The celebrity interior designer has built a career on decorating spaces to make them feel timeless and refined, yet also approachable. One could say he has mastered the art of giving homes a designer look without costing a dime. Hence, it doesn't come as a surprise that he has found a way to elevate any room with a curtain styling technique that's less about expensive fabric and more about how you hang it.

In an Instagram video, the HGTV star reveals the styling hack he likes to use in his own home. While standing beside his living room window framed by dark green curtains, he says, "For drapery, there are a million styles you can do at the top. I like either an inverted pleat or a ripple fold with rings on a thin rod." He then proceeds to share some of his rules when styling with curtains, such as keeping the curtain hardware simple, ensuring the drapes are full rather than skimpy, and letting them just skim the floor rather than puddle. He continues on to say that though he has seen puddled drapes executed beautifully, he doesn't like the look. Instead, he suggests hanging the curtains so they stop just a quarter of an inch above the floor. Finally, he says it's important to have the drapery "go as high as possible" to the ceiling to draw the eyes upward.

The beauty of Nate Berkus' curtain styling hack is that it's easy to replicate, whether you're decorating a rental apartment or styling your forever home. To start, choose between the two drapery styles the television personality recommends, the inverted pleat or the ripple fold, and use it for all the windows in one room for consistency. To help you decide, an inverted pleat has a structured, tailored look that's perfect for those who prefer crisp lines and a more contemporary vibe. On the other hand, the ripple fold gives curtains soft, wave-like folds that feel more modern-minimalist.

Once you've decided on the drapery pattern, use a slim curtain rod with rings to pull it off and keep the look clean and minimal. When installing the rod, ensure it is positioned as close to the ceiling as possible, rather than directly above your window frame. This setup not only draws the eye upwards but it also makes the room appear taller and feel larger. Lighten a space using the curtain colors Nate Berkus swears by for rooms with dark walls, including ivory, off-white, or chalk. Finally, we suggest going for wide panels two to two-and-a-half times longer than the window so that even when the drapes are closed, the panels will keep their pleat pattern rather than lying flat against your windows. By combining these techniques, you can bring Berkus' luxe designer touch to your own home without splurging on professional work.