The One Design Rule Kelly Wearstler Says You Should Never Break

I’m not huge on firm design rules; some of the best interiors I’ve ever seen are beautifully eclectic in their style, after all. But there are a few that feel like they’re ingrained in my brain, including one that many interior design icons (including Nate Berkus!) have preached for years: that buying furniture sets is a big no-no. Why? These sets can create a uniform “matchy matchy” look that makes bedrooms and living rooms feel like a furniture showroom and not a snapshot of your own personal style. 

This rule is a big part of why “slow decorating” has gripped the interior design industry. But I recently heard top designer Kelly Wearstler share a decorating tip that helped me understand why — and made so much more sense when you think about why many people don’t shop for full furniture sets in the first place.

During a recent panel discussion hosted by financial services provider SoFi, Wearstler shared many tips for new homeowners stemming from her own design ethos. Some of these tips touched upon home renovations and investments, and a focus on boosting holistic wellness through intentional design (Wearstler shared she’s recently added a sauna and cold plunge in her own space!). 

But one of her most poignant tips revolved around slow decorating and how anyone can practice it that much better. “Do not buy all of your furniture in one place,” Wearstler told the crowd, adding: “It makes a space look one note.” 

In the same way that you’d likely want to avoid buying a monotone furniture set for your bedroom or living room, Wearstler says it’s easy to see when all of the furniture in a room comes from the same retailer. Though it may not be the same color or silhouette, modern furniture retailers like CB2, West Elm, Crate & Barrel, and even Anthropologie have a distinct manufacturing style that the eye can easily pick up. 

“You need history in a home,” Wearstler continued. “Having everything that is new actually is the quickest way to date a home — incorporating older things with the contemporary [pieces] is best.” 

I’m a fan of a unifying color palette (and I love a color drenched room!) but I can’t help but agree that too much of the same creates a bland look. Intentionally mixing furniture upholstery, finishes, wood tones, and even clean lines versus curves is a great way to create a truly unique space — even if you’re adhering to trendy motifs like earthy tones and sleek Japandi-style seating. 

If anything, Wearstler just helped me create a new rule of my own — being sure to balance every new piece in my house with a thrifted or vintage find. “Go slow and be steady,” Wearstler added. “This is about the long game.”