How to make a room feel elevated on a budget

Have you ever walked into someone’s home and instantly felt something—warmth, calm, personality, creativity—and wondered why your own space doesn’t give you that same amazing feeling? In this episode, I sit down with the world’s top interior designer Nate Berkus to unpack the psychology behind creating your dream home—a place you're so proud of you never want to leave. 

Nate breaks down practical tips to find your style, avoid trends, and insert more of you into your home, sharing that the real key to great design isn’t money or square footage—it’s your personal history. He also encourages you to shop local, lean into sustainability with vintage or thrifted finds, and enjoy the creative process of finding “that special piece you’ll have forever”.

Whether you're living in a bland rental or renovating a house, this episode gives you practical steps and advice you can use today to have a landing place that makes you feel incredible. 

🎧 What you’ll learn:

• Why “eclectic style” is often code for “I don’t know what I like”
• How to figure out who you are at home—and why that’s the start of great design
• The real reason your rental feels flat (and how to fix it with cheap vintage finds)
• Why trends exist (hint: they’re not for your benefit)
• The four principles Nate uses to create personal, elevated, collected spaces
• How to build confidence in your own taste—even if design intimidates you
• Why vintage pieces instantly add soul and character (and what should never be vintage)
• How to combine contrasting styles without creating chaos
• A simple assignment to instantly sharpen your design direction

✨ Homework: Find a photo of a room you genuinely love. Identify three things you love about the room and three things you don’t. Use the details you love as search terms to start uncovering your design language.

For more from Nate Berkus:

•  His Book, Foundations: Timeless Design That Feels Personal
•  His Website
•  His Instagram, @nateberkus 

Visit www.liveauctioneers.com to find a live auction for special vintage finds near you as suggested by Nate.

Check out the previous episodes of The Liz Moody Podcast discussed today: Style And Success Secrets With Fashion Icon Rachel Zoe.

Ready to uplevel every part of your life? Order Liz’s book 100 Ways to Change Your Life: The Science of Leveling Up Health, Happiness, Relationships & Success now! 

Connect with Liz on Instagram @lizmoody or online at www.lizmoody.com. Subscribe to the substack by visiting https://lizmoody.substack.com/welcome. Buy our cute sweatshirts, conversation cards, and more at https://shop.lizmoody.com/.

Use our discount codes from our  highly vetted and tested brand partners by visiting https://www.lizmoody.com/codes. 

To join The Liz Moody Podcast Club Facebook group, go to www.facebook.com/groups/thelizmoodypodcast.

This episode is brought to you completely free thanks to the following podcast sponsors:

Seed: go to Seed.com/LizMoody and use code LIZMOODY for 25% off your first month.

LMNT: visit DrinkLMNT.com/LizMoody to get a free LMNT sample pack with any order.

Birch: head to BirchLiving.com/LizMoody for 20% off sitewide. 

OneSkin: check out OneSkin.co and use the code LIZ for 15% off your purchase. 

OurPlace: go to FromOurPlace.com/LizMoody for 35% off sitewide to access their biggest sale of the year.

The Liz Moody Podcast cover art by Zack. The Liz Moody Podcast music by Alex Ruimy.

Formerly the Healthier Together Podcast. 

This podcast and website represent the opinions of Liz Moody and her guests to the show. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for information purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.

The Liz Moody Podcast Episode 383

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