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Confused about Sofa choices? These Nate Berkus sofa tips will change how you think about matching furniture in your home.

Interior designer Nate Berkus has long been a beacon of thoughtful design and timeless style. Known for his curated aesthetic that blends comfort with character, Berkus has transformed how we think about the pieces that make a house feel like home. And when it comes to one of the most important elements in any living space—the sofa—Berkus has plenty to say.

Nate Berkus Sofa Tips

In a recent conversation, he shared his approach to sofa selection, offering insight into fabrics, styles, scale, and why matching sets are a thing of the past. From fabric choices to layout advice, Nate Berkus sofa tips offer a masterclass in thoughtful design.

The Great Fabric Debate

For Berkus, the choice of fabric isn’t just about style—it’s about experience. “Ninety percent of the time, I go back and forth between linen and velvet,” he shares. This seemingly narrow range is telling of his philosophy: choosing materials that offer both tactile pleasure and visual impact.

Linen & Velvet

Linen brings a relaxed, lived-in look that’s effortlessly chic and breathable—perfect for creating spaces that feel authentic and approachable. Velvet, on the other hand, injects a sense of luxury and depth, ideal for rooms that call for mood and drama. Each fabric tells its own story and carries with it a distinct personality. It’s not about trends for Berkus—it’s about how a material contributes to the feeling of a space.

Slipcovered Sofas

While some designers may shy away from slipcovers, Berkus embraces their return with open arms.

“They are making a comeback,” he says. “I think the practicality never went away.”

Slipcovered sofas offer an appealing blend of function and form, especially for families or households that lean into everyday living.

What sets Berkus’s approach apart is the attention to detail. He suggests elevating a slipcovered piece with traditional dressmaker touches: “I like adding dressmaker details like a box pleated skirt, contrast piping or a grosgrain trim around the bottom hem.” These flourishes not only soften the silhouette but also make the piece feel custom and intentional, aligning perfectly with his signature style of lived-in elegance.

Reupholster or Start Fresh?

If you’re torn between reupholstering or buying new, Nate Berkus sofa tips guide you based on comfort and design. When it comes to whether to breathe new life into an old piece or purchase something entirely new, Berkus’s decision hinges on the uniqueness of the frame.

“If it’s a vintage sofa with a distinctive frame that incorporates another material, like a Soriana sofa, then I like recovering,” he explains.

The Soriana, with its iconic curved form and chrome details, is a perfect example of design that transcends time and deserves preservation.

Sides with New

But if the sofa is a fully upholstered piece without a unique frame, Berkus leans toward buying new. Comfort, after all, is paramount, and newer models tend to offer superior ergonomics and cushion technology. It’s a practical approach rooted in experience—knowing when to honor a classic and when to prioritize comfort.

Size Matters

Selecting the right size sofa is one of the most common dilemmas for homeowners. Berkus points to his upcoming book, Foundations, as a go-to resource.

“It’s also specific to people’s floor plans. I write about what shapes work in people’s rooms and give sample layouts so that people can make the decision that fits within their architecture,” he says.

This thoughtful advice reinforces his broader philosophy: design should be personalized and context-driven. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution; instead, it’s about working within your spatial parameters and choosing forms that complement how you live.

For those looking to Pre-Order Nate Berkus’s book, it is available on Amazon: Nate Berkus Foundations: Timeless Design That Feels Personal

Mismatched, By Design

Perhaps one of Berkus’s boldest—and most freeing—opinions is his stance on matching furniture: “Does the sofa need to match the chairs? No, and it shouldn’t. That’s one of my least favorite combinations.” For him, symmetry in furniture can feel uninspired. Mixing chairs and sofas creates a dynamic, layered space with personality. It invites you to curate rather than coordinate, to tell a story instead of sticking to a formula.

Final Thoughts

With Nate Berkus sofa tips, even a small room can feel elevated and well-planned. His choices around sofas reflect a deeper commitment to thoughtful, emotionally resonant design. Whether he’s championing the timeless charm of linen and velvet, advocating for the elegance of slipcovered styles, or encouraging homeowners to embrace their own sense of scale and individuality, his guidance goes far beyond the surface. It’s not just about choosing a sofa—it’s about creating a space that tells your story, one cushion at a time.