Bobby Berk Describes How He Builds A Temporary Furniture Store For Queer Eye Production

Interior designer Bobby Berk is known for his role as an interior design expert on Netflix's "Queer Eye." Berk's speedy renovations on the show often leave fans perplexed and in awe of how he can get so much done so quickly. "I get the house on Tuesday afternoon when we are initially done meeting our hero, and we're usually done with him or her around 5," Berk told People. "That's when my team gets the house. And we usually [give] it back by about 9 or 10 am on Friday morning."

In three days, Berk completely reconstructs a space and has shared his secret for completing it in time. With the help of his team, Berk scouts locations weeks before meeting with clients, using rented warehouses to stock up on the furniture and décor he will need for upcoming projects. Even with the preplanning, viewers still wonder about the short timeline to complete a project. "People always say there's no way we get those houses done from Tuesday to Friday," Berk said in an interview with Fast Company. "And the thing is, we do. All the clean-out that you see ... that really is done between Tuesday and Friday. The preparation is in order for us to have everything we need to get that accomplished."

With Berk needing to get "Queer Eye" renovations done in three days, he must always stay ahead and be prepared. His team ensures this by having clients complete surveys outlining their styles and preferences so Berk can envision what designs to work with. From here, he begins browsing furniture and accessories to potentially use. "We basically build our own store, so that way, every week, we have access to those types of things we need," Berk told Tudum. "Each week, obviously, we find personal things for that Hero, but we try to build our nuts and bolts. That's how we do things so quickly."

Even with utmost preparation before filming, sometimes there are still last-minute changes. In season one, for example, Berk planned for a basement makeover, but upon meeting with the client and viewing their needs, he pivoted to the upstairs instead to create a more family-friendly area. Other prep behind the scenes includes getting measurements of a space, the windows, and blueprints of the floor plan. "But usually, our heroes are cast a few weeks before we meet them, so my team is usually able to go to the hero's home beforehand," Berk explained to Fast Company. "I don't meet them, but I at least check out their space and get basic measurements. We often give them new flooring or window shades or kitchen cabinets, and those are the type of things where there is no way to do it the week of."

Berk is able to begin his renovations with a good sense of what design styles his clients like. And with a warehouse already full of furniture items and home décor, he can dive right in and pull from the supply once it's finally time to decorate. "We pre-order tons of art and accessories and candles and pillows and bedding, and we just line this warehouse full of stuff that I could possibly use," Berk said, per Fast Company. "That way, we're not running around the city the day we're filming and going to all these different stores. Often I will figure out the main pieces of furniture that I need because, for the most part, stores don't stock things anymore." While Berk is working on one client's renovations, his team is already using what they know about their next client to begin ordering new items and handling upcoming logistics.

Berk explained that the week he finally meets his clients is more dedicated to tshe finer details that suit their personalities and will set their homes apart. Frequently, Berk is still adding those finishing touches as his clients are walking in the door, ready to see their completed space. "Our show is a monster. It took quite a few seasons to figure out how to make it happen," Berk told Tudum. "It's been really great to get to have the same people that I work with that are family now."