Celebrity Designer Bobby Berk’s Decorating Tips For The Holidays And Beyond – Forbes
Leaving home at fifteen to move to the big city of Denver, Bobby Berk has come a long way from his humble roots growing up in a small, conservative town in Missouri. He might be best known for rapidly transforming homes from shabby to chic on Netflix’s Queer Eye, but Berk has been building a career in design for the past two decades—working his way up from managing roles at Restoration Hardware and Portico to eventually launching his own furniture line, BobbyBerk.com.
Today, you’ll find him judging professional glass-blowers on the new holiday edition of the Netflix series Blown Away, and partnering with digital retail and manufacturing brand Shutterfly.
As Queer Eye’s resident home expert and the latest host of Blown Away, Bobby Berk has built a name … [+]
Forbes caught up with the celebrity designer just in time for the holidays to get his creative gifting and entertaining advice, plus his home design predictions for the new year.
How did you get into design?
It sounds cliché but I’ve been drawn to design from a very young age. I was constantly moving things around in my bedroom and trying different arrangements. I remember when I was younger I walked into Target with my Mom and saw the tea kettle that Michael Graves had designed. It was in that moment I realized the purpose of a designer and that everyday objects could be both functional and beautiful. It really inspired me to explore and think about design in a different way. It was probably the catalyst to me doing what I do today.
Bobby Berk is best known as the resident design expert on the beloved Netflix series Queer Eye.
How did you get involved with Blown Away?
Like so many people, I became obsessed with the show after the first season. So when I got the opportunity to host the Christmas special it was an immediate “yes”! In a time when a lot of what we use is made in a factory or by machine, it’s incredible to see artists work with their hands and bring objects to life. I am still blown away (no pun intended) with how it all happens.
Bobby Berk is teaming up with photography company Shutterfly to encourage people to get creative … [+]
Tell me about your collaboration with Shutterfly.
I’m so excited to partner with Shutterfly for the holidays. More than two thirds of consumers are planning in-person gatherings, holiday parties and bigger celebrations this year. Shutterfly makes it easy to unleash our creativity after a year of being apart.
I love turning hidden gems—whether it’s a photo from your camera roll or a fun saying that only you understand—into meaningful ornaments and holiday decorations. I recently hosted my friends for Thanksgiving and rather than using place cards, I customized wine glasses for each guest. Not only is it a fun takeaway but then no one gets their glass mixed up at the party once they set it down.
Instead of turning to the default holiday colors of red and green, Bobby Berk suggests decorating … [+]
What are your top three decorating tips for the holidays?
I suggest choosing a color palette of two to three colors and using them throughout your home. While I love classic holiday decor I try to avoid the usual Kelley green and bright reds, and focus on styling my home with gold accents.
Lighting is so important. I love keeping it simple by using white lights—they’re great for any space. Candles add a nice personal touch as well.
Photos are also a great way to decorate for the holidays. Whether that’s adding temporary photo tiles with your favorite holiday memories, decorating your tree with customized ornaments or finding the best photos of your party guests and using them as name tags or place cards.
Bobby Berk recommends candles for mood lighting.
How can people elevate their holiday table décor?
Keep it simple with small personal touches throughout the space and tabletop—like adding a fun photo or familiar saying to serving plates and glasses.
I also love classic holiday décor like stockings and ornaments. If I’m hosting a party, I’ll add a custom ornament to the tablescape or customized wine glasses for my place cards. Both can serve a dual purpose as a party favor.
Adding greenery to your tablescape is another great inexpensive and eco-friendly way to bring your table to life for your event.
Bobby Berk recommends adding greenery and customized wine glasses to elevate tablescapes.
What are your favorite gifts to give hosts?
My go-to is usually a candle. There are so many ways to add a personal touch, whether that’s a special scent or a funny saying or photo. You also can’t go wrong with bringing them a bottle of their favorite wine or spirit.
If you’re hosting yourself, what are your prepping tips for making the holidays less stressful?
If I’m hosting a party, I use custom ornaments or customized wine glasses as place cards. The best part is they can also be given to guests as a favor at the end of the evening—it’s one less gift to stress about!
Personalization is another great way to spark conversation and make everyone feel special. Finding the best photos of your party guests and using them as name tags or place cards is always a winner in my book. I also always have a signature holiday cocktail to serve—my go-to is a gin and tonic.
Photography of guests printed on wine glasses add a personal touch to place settings.
Do you have any creative tips for making holiday gatherings over Zoom more exciting?
If you have the time, sending a gift that each family member can open over Zoom will help make your virtual holiday gathering feel more “in person.”
Get creative with ornaments! My favorite is the Christmas cube ornament from Shutterfly. This year I changed some family photos to black and white and added it to the ornament. Since my aesthetic leans more modern, I love the simplicity of this ornament.
You can never go wrong with any style of an ornament though. It’s something you can make super meaningful and always tie a memory to, whether it’s a photo from your camera roll or a fun saying that only you and your recipient would understand.
Bobby Berk says Shutterfly’s Christmas Cube Ornament is one of his favorite creative holiday gifts.
With people spending more time at home over the past year and a half, we’ve all become more attuned to our surroundings. What tips do you have for making our homes both more functional and peaceful spaces to work and live?
At the end of the day, your home is your refuge, it’s where you go to unplug—so take some time to make it a place that makes you happy. I always tell everyone to start by getting rid of all the stuff you don’t actually use or need. There is a lot of clutter we carry around in our homes—a cluttered home contributes to a cluttered mind. Once you clear out the clutter then you can actually enjoy the pieces in your home that make you happy and carve out some space for yourself.
“Your home is your refuge, it’s where you go to unplug. so take some time to make it a place that … [+]
What home design trends do you anticipate for 2022?
After spending so much time inside people are really starting to understand how our spaces do double duty for us and the importance of investing in their space. I expect layers of texture, lots of comfortable and overstuffed pieces and a softer color palette—whether that means neutral or colorful. I think people will start carving out casual and inviting spaces throughout the home, rather than keeping things too fussy and formal.
Some interview responses have been edited for length and clarity.
