If you're a "Queer Eye" fan, you know that designer Bobby Berk can take any room from drab to OMG OMG OMG in less than five days. And lucky for us, the DIY guru (one of the Fab 5!!!) is here to tell you how to fix three common design mistakes.
1. HOW TO FIX BORING WALLS
"One of the things that people kind of neglect is their walls," Bobby says. "A lot of times they're like, 'Oh, we'll just do an accent wall, we'll just throw a little paint up there.' It's a little boring."
His recommendation? A textured wall.
Bobby takes pressed recycled paper and either uses double-stick tape (if you're in a rental) or an adhesive (if you own your home) to adhere it to the wall.
Pro-tip: When you order pressed paper, let it sit in your home for about a week before fixing to the wall. This is so the paper can acclimate to your space's humidity.
"Otherwise, it'll expand and contract and it's a nightmare," Bobby says.
2. HOW TO FIX YOUR AWKWARD GALLERY WALL
Gallery walls (a collection of art and photos on your wall) are a great way to show your style. But, as Bobby says, people are scared of gallery walls because they're unsure how to map everything out.
"I always like to divide my wall into four quadrants," the designer explains. "You put the gallery wall in the second from the top because it's eye level for most people."
According to Bobby, creating your gallery wall in the second quadrant keeps everything organized and focused.
Another hack? Lay all of your pieces and frames out on the ground or a table first.
"If you have large pieces of paper, I like to trace it out on paper, cut it out and put it up on the wall," Bobby says. "So that way you're really [visualizing the gallery wall]."
Bobby also measures the space in between each piece to minimize uneven gaps.
Want to expand your gallery wall to more than just photos or paintings? The "Queer Eye" host suggests wallpaper or gift wrap.
"There is some amazing gift wrap of the Fab 5's faces you can put on there," Bobby jokes. (Don't joke, Bobby, you know people would do that!)
3. HOW TO FIX YOUR DATED BATHROOM ACCESSORIES
Onto one of Rachael's least favorite bathroom accessories: toilet mats.
"It's gross," Bobby says. "It's just a pee-catcher upper."
EW. Time to get rid of them!
What does Bobby suggest instead? A rug in front of the sink. (And if you have a tiny bathroom, a rectangular rug will work so that it's in front of your sink and shower.)
And as Rach reminds, "Wash it occasionally!"
Bobby goes for a white or light rug because these colors are bleachable.
4. HOW TO FIX POORLY ARRANGED FURNITURE
"When it comes to picking out furniture, a lot of times people won't think about heights," Bobby says. "You want your heights to vary, you don't want it to be just one note."
Pro-tip: Imagine it like a cityscape.
"Your eye should bounce up and down," Rach notes.
And never decorate in pairs of anything! Instead, always pair furniture in sets of odd numbers.
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