The One Divisive Design Trend Nate Berkus Avoids At All Costs: 'Not For Me'

Popular design styles come and go, although there are some that seem to stick around and evolve over time. As an interior designer, Nate Berkus has not only seen these trends, but has also designed spaces around a lot of them as well. Taking to Instagram, Berkus shared a video where he discussed some of the styles that have been popping up recently, including one design trend he tends to avoid — Whimsigoth.

Whimsigoth is a style aesthetic that combines dark colors with pieces that are fun and whimsical. It's as much about the colors used as it is the textures that are chosen. The right paint colors can give you the gothic vibe, while adding in softer touches can contribute to the whimsy. There can be some humor mixed in to add a lighter touch to the space, too. In Whimsigoth designs, you might find pieces that bring together dark jewel tones with lighter pops of color that complement them. It's about bringing a sense of fun and lightness to a design that would have otherwise been more serious and dark.

Talking about the Whimsigoth trend, Berkus shared that for him, "I like the whimsy. Gothic I have a really hard time with." He went on to explain that a few years back he worked on a famous singer's home which was all Gothic architecture, but that he basically ripped everything out and went with simple and clean lines.

Although Nate Berkus might not be a fan of the gothic aspect of the Whimsigoth trend, this can be a fun addition to your home if the style appeals to you. To start, remember that layering texture is important (such as mixing velvet with lace or metal with leather), as it can help with building the overall look. When working with this aesthetic, it's more about being a maximalist and bringing in pieces that contribute to the look of your space.

When curating a Whimsigoth-driven design, think about incorporating celestial figures such as the moon, stars, and sun. You may also want to consider adding crystals here and there as well. In the bedroom, bring in the whimsy vibes by using decorative pillows in darker colors or those with celestial prints. If you just want to get the feel of Whimsigoth without it being the entire focus of a room, sprinkling in accents here and there can help bring the vibes you're looking for without going overboard.

For a full Whimsigoth room, look at real wood vintage furniture pieces that have a lot of detail work on them. Ornate furniture, with scrollwork and dark woods can add to the gothic element of the trend. Another way to bring in the gothic elements is with a statement light fixture, such as a chandelier. For the whimsical elements, think about fairy lights and lights that give off a warm glow. While going dark and bold with the furniture helps with the goth vibes, don't forget to add in a variety of different linens in rich jewel tones, as well as some complementary light shades.