The Busy Furniture Feature Nate Berkus Avoids At All Costs

Decorating a home can look different for everyone. A homeowner can choose from various styles to fill their home, from furniture to décor to flooring to paint colors. Even if you're completely lost with decorating your house, interior designers always know how to lend a hand. For example, interior designer Nate Berkus is widely known and featured in multiple magazines like Elle Décor and Vogue. Berkus knows a thing or two about furniture; he advises that homeowners should stick to basic furniture, especially sofas, that uses linen or cotton fabrics in solid colors instead of going for flashy prints. 

"Prints are tough on large-scale furniture — keep your sofa (and other large-scale items) to the basics," Berkus said in an interview with My Domaine. "Linens and cottons in solids can be dressed up or down easily and tend to look expensive." Essentially, when you choose a print that stands out in a space, it becomes the whole focus; instead, spruce up a basic sofa with décors.

Picking out a sofa can be a tough decision. It's the main centerpiece of your living room, so you want it to stand out without taking away from the rest of the room. Choosing a sofa can be a little easier if you heed Nate Berkus's advice. Then you can dress up your minimalist materials with accessories like throw pillows and blankets to add color and texture. 

On the other hand, styling your couch can go beyond throws and pillows. Think about the space surrounding the sofa. Avoid making the area look empty by displaying a few plants, a coffee table, and side tables. Opt for a medium-sized plant next to the sofa to give a balanced look, or place a large-sized plant in the corner of the room. You'll need someplace to put your remote or beverage while watching a movie, so putting an end table next to the sofa will keep them close by. If you have enough space for a coffee table, place it in front of the couch to display extra plants and magazines or rest your feet. 

Decorating your home with neutral-colored fabrics and materials will make finding other décors to match easier and make your space look more high-end. Linen fabric can elevate your room's interior, making it look more luxurious. The material, made from the flax plant, is durable, eco-friendly, hypoallergenic, and antibacterial. The cool fabric is inviting even on the hottest days since it's breathable and moisture-resistant whereas suede, velvet, or leather fabrics can make you sweat and stick to your skin. The drawback to linen is that it isn't stain-resistant and it shrinks easily when exposed to heat, according to World Linen. When washing linen sofa covers, take care to avoid inadvertently washing in hot water or drying too long, or take it to the dry cleaners. Linen can also be pricier than some other textiles. 

Cotton isn't too different from linen in its pros and cons. According to Designing Idea, it's hypo-allergenic, breaths well, and can endure the rigors of a busy household. While more affordable than linen, it also stains easily, and it can even absorb dyes from clothing. Regardless, as Nate Berkus said, both materials can serve as a neutral, inviting centerpiece that work great with your more personal decorative touches.