Nate Berkus Swears by His 'Weird' Centerpiece Trick to Instantly Elevate Any Table

Published on October 4, 2025

With the holiday season creeping up faster than you can say “Boo,” it’s once again that time of year to revamp your home’s decor—and nothing that adds an effortless touch of personal style to your space like a table centerpiece. All it takes is a few simple swaps, and your dining or living room has a whole new look.

Interior designer Nate Berkus recently shared his favorite centerpiece ideas with Elle, and fans are intrigued by his self-proclaimed “weird” way of decorating tables. 

Nate Berkus’ Go-to Table Centerpiece

“I think my favorite centerpiece is little bit weird, but I’ve been doing this for as long as I can remember,” Berkus says. “I’ll go through the bookshelves and tabletops and stuff like that in our home before we entertain, and I’ll just have a bunch of different objects and things like that on the table mixed with greenery and fresh flowers. And of course candles lit.”

It’s simple, personal, and easy to make seasonal—and it’s also a trick you can use to keep your centerpieces budget-friendly, too. On his Instagram, Berkus often showcases lush greenery arrangements, tall branches in vases, and even potted plants as centerpieces, whether they’re for extensive dining setups or casual coffee tables. 

What to Use for Your Own Tablescape

Finding a few potted plants you love (and can easily move around) is an organic way to create reusable centerpieces—or you could always opt for faux arrangements if you prefer a consistent look. Dried flowers or branches are also easy to keep on hand and reuse throughout your home. 

Aside from creating your own fresh flower arrangements, you may also notice that Berkus chooses a few household objects to feature in his centerpieces. An empty vase, short stack of books, serving trays, and even chic dishes (especially bowls) are all items you’ll see again and again on his Instagram. 

Be careful not to overcrowd your table with stuff, though (also a tip from Ina Garten). It’s easy to get carried away when curating a centerpiece, so start with just one or two items, see how they look in your space, and then build from there. A vase of flowers set next to a stack of two books with a small tray on top creates an elegant focal point with just four items.

Of course, you can’t forget a few lit candles for ambience, too. Pillar or taper candles bring beauty and warmth with a simple holder, and you only need one to draw attention to the center of your table. Again, it’s a good idea to start small and expand your arrangement from there. 

When you’re creating a centerpiece for a dinner table, always make sure that it won’t block your guests from seeing each other across the table. Keeping your centerpieces low and unobtrusive is a dinner party must to allow conversation to flow.