"Queer Eye" Star Bobby Berk Shares His 4 Go-To Interior Design Rules

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Bobby Berk’s home makeovers on "Queer Eye" are arguably the most impressive part of the show, but you don’t need an entire design team to implement his best ideas.

The Netflix star is sharing his top design secrets, and they’re both easy and effective. Whether you want to make a small space look bigger or give a room a more lived-in feel, these simple DIY tricks will transform your home in less time than it takes to watch an episode of "Queer Eye."

1. Choose light bulbs that best suit your fixtures and set the right mood

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It may seem simple, but the light bulb can be the hardest thing in the house.

“Light really affects everything in your home, from your mood to the look of your decor,” says Bobby. When it comes to the style of the bulb, some light fixtures look better with clear bulbs, rather than the typical frosted ones. LEDs also come in a variety of shapes, such as filament-style bulbs. The type of bulb you choose ultimately depends on the look you’re going for.

It’s also important to consider the bulb’s color and temperature. Finding the perfect bulb for your fixture may require some trial and error, but cooler lighting — bulbs with blue undertones, for example — generally work better in spaces that require brighter lights, like washrooms and garages. Bedrooms and living areas are usually best lit with warm, rosy lights.

2. Hang your curtain rods higher than you think

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People almost always hang curtain rods too low, right at the top of a window. The best place to put them is actually at least a foot above the frame, if not a little more. This makes the window look bigger, the wall look taller and the ceiling look higher.

“It draws your eye up, and it gives the illusion that your ceilings are taller, even if they’re not,” says Bobby.

Watch him demonstrate in the video above!

3. Keep your rug at the front edge of your sofa, but out of the walkway

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Choosing the right size rug for your space is key, but so is placement.

“A lot of times, people don’t really know what to do with the rug as far as placement,” says Bobby. “I don’t really like putting the rug under the sofa.”

Prevent dust buildup and make it easier to vacuum by placing your rug right at the front edge of your couch.

If you have a small walkway through a room, however, do put the rug under the sofa to keep that high-traffic area clear. Your rug won’t last as long as it could if it’s constantly being worn down by people’s footsteps.

4. Shop a room like an outfit

couch with decorative pillows
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“Designing shouldn’t be hard,” says Bobby. “Think of it as an outfit. If you’re on a budget, you want to buy a nice, expensive dress and then you accessorize it with fun things.”

For example, choose a neutral sofa that you can dress up with printed and patterned pillows, rugs, or throws, depending on the season. This way, “you’re not constantly replacing the pricier piece in your house,” Bobby explains.

A lot of times, cushions are also attached to the sofa, but try to steer clear of that when buying a new couch, because you want to be able to clean between the cushions and flip them over in case of a stain.

While in NYC, Bobby also took a trip to Bed, Bath and Beyond, where he surprised shoppers and helped them pick out just what they needed. Watch the video below!

Queer Eye Design Pro Bobby Berk Helps Home Improvement Shoppers With Their Decor Questions

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