Quote Of The Day By Nate Berkus: 'Every Space I Design Includes Something Old...'

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Starting fresh doesn't have to mean starting over, and Nate Berkus knows that. Over the course of his career, the famous interior designer has been the face of several shows about home design and renovations. The latest starred him and his husband, Jeremiah Brent, in the HGTV show, "The Nate and Jeremiah Home Project," where they helped families clear out their home of clutter and renovate them to start anew. 

Before that, Berkus had a long and successful career in interior design. More than two decades ago, he became Oprah Winfrey's interior design weapon, regularly joining her show to share his wealth of style tips and advice. Later, he would go on to have his own talkshow, "The Nate Berkus Show," diving into everything from celebrity life to decor rules for timeless decor in your space.

When he's not on TV, the father of two also runs his very own high-end design firm, Nate Berkus Associates, with offices in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. And it's not just a professional affair: Berkus' personal projects, like his newly renovated homestead in rural Portugal, are often featured on the front page of interior design magazines like Architectural Digest. It's no wonder, then, why he's able to give such pointed and powerful advice when it comes to designing a home that feels unique and personal. 

The full quote reads: "Every space I design includes something old. Old things carry so much history and character — They are special because of their imperfections."

This quote can be found in the caption of one of Nate Berkus' Instagram posts. The social media post, which was published around April 2026, featured a carousel of beautiful photos depicting tasteful interiors that illustrate the point he's making: a modern geometric shelf paired with a wicker lampshade, a beautiful coral reef resting on a wooden credenza, and a vintage-style floral sofa placed in an elegant white room. 

"More on this philosophy in Foundations," the caption concludes, nodding to Berkus' New York Times Bestselling book, "Foundations: Timeless Design That Feels Personal," published at the end of 2025. The photos, too, look to be depicting interiors featured in the book. 

With this quote and photo combo, Berkus is leading by example. When you see the stunning spaces that he's designed, how could you not trust him? 

With this short quote, Nate Berkus reminds us that interior design doesn't mean perfect and new. Instead, he reminds us that, even in renovated spaces, old objects have their role to play. While those old pieces might not be perfect, they carry history and add character to a room. It's a small thing you can do to add personality to your home, so it doesn't feel like an Airbnb or cookie-cutter fixer upper.

Whether it's a chipped lamp that you've had since your very first apartment, a scratched table that your parents gave you, or a small gem that you collected on a trip — keep it all. Because, by tossing it out and starting fresh with new furniture and decor, you're erasing yourself from the space. If you don't want your home to feel like a hotel room, those old and imperfect pieces are essential. 

If you don't own much old stuff, or if you've already thrown it out, no worries. You can implement this advice on a budget by visiting antique markets and second-hand shops, where tons of old pieces with charm and character are waiting to be picked up. And if your old piece starts to feel dated, let it evolve with you! There are easy and affordable ways to give vintage wood furniture a modern update. The same is true with your cracked ceramics and old light fixtures. Truly, there's no excuse to skip adding a bit of "old" to your home. 

It's a short quote, but it encompasses Berkus' main principles found in his book "Foundations": make it personal, embrace history, build character, and develop a vision.

• "Everywhere your eye travels in your home, it should land on something that resonates with you." — from a 2012 Parade Home & Garden interview.

• "The most important advice that I can give to people is to sort of shut out the noise around them. Don't ask everyone for their opinion when you're about to make a decision – make the decision that feels right to you, and build on it." — from a 2024 interview with Home & Gardens. 

• "Less is more: fewer pieces, but every single choice intentional ... It's a simple approach that can transform a room." — from a 2026 Instagram post.

• "When you stop being able to have your eye travel around a space and land on something that evokes a memory, [something that] reminds you of where you've been or who you are or where you aspire to go, then you have too many things. We try to edit down to the most meaningful things, and that's a good rule of thumb for people to do in their own spaces." — from a 2023 House Digest interview. 

• "Travel has for me is always about creating memories, and finding special things that represent those memories." — from a 2026 Instagram post. 

• "It's not about trends. It's not about what everyone else is doing. It's not about the makeovers on TV. It's not about any of that. It's literally like stop, slow down, really spend some time with yourself, kind of quiet the noise and spend your money wisely." — from a 2026 Open Book with Jenna interview.