Brandon Schubert is an interior designer known for his approach to creating spaces that feel effortless yet sophisticated. He combines bold, modern design with timeless elements, often blending textures, colors, and styles in a way that feels both fresh and comfortable. Whether you’re looking to refresh a room or embarking on a full design overhaul, his tips offer valuable insights on creating a balanced and stylish space. Here are Brandon Schubert’s dos and don’ts of decorating.
The Dos of Decorating According to Brandon Schubert
1. Do Start with a Vision
One of Brandon Schubert’s most important pieces of advice is to have a clear vision for your space before you begin decorating. Whether you’re decorating a single room or an entire home, it’s essential to know what mood or atmosphere you want to create. Think about your personal style, the function of the room, and how you want the space to feel.
- Tip: Create a mood board or gather inspiration from sources like Pinterest, design magazines, or Instagram. This can help you visualize your concept and guide your decisions as you move forward.
2. Do Choose a Color Palette
Brandon often advises his clients to select a cohesive color palette to create harmony throughout the space. A well-thought-out color scheme can tie together various elements and help create a calm, unified feel. Whether you prefer bold hues or subtle neutrals, choosing a palette sets the foundation for everything else.
- Tip: Start with neutral tones for larger elements like walls, furniture, and flooring, then incorporate accent colors through accessories like throw pillows, rugs, and artwork.
3. Do Embrace Layering
Layering is a key element in Brandon Schubert’s design philosophy. This means mixing textures, fabrics, and materials to create depth and interest. Whether it’s layering throws on a sofa, adding different fabrics to your bed linens, or mixing wood and metal furniture, layering can make your space feel dynamic and inviting.
- Tip: Use a variety of textures such as velvet, linen, wool, and leather to create a multi-dimensional feel in your space. A textured throw on a leather sofa, or a woven rug under a modern dining table, can elevate the space.
4. Do Invest in Key Pieces
When it comes to furniture and decor, Schubert emphasizes investing in key pieces that will serve as the backbone of your design. These are your functional and high-impact items, like a quality sofa, an iconic chair, or a timeless dining table. These investments will anchor the space and offer long-lasting value.
- Tip: Choose furniture that has durability and longevity—pieces that are versatile and can evolve with your tastes over time.
5. Do Mix Old and New
A hallmark of Brandon Schubert’s design style is his ability to mix vintage or antique pieces with modern furniture. This creates a balance between the timeless and the contemporary, preventing a space from feeling too one-dimensional.
- Tip: Pair a mid-century modern sofa with an antique coffee table or place vintage lamps next to a sleek, contemporary sideboard. This mix adds warmth and character to any room.
6. Do Focus on Lighting
Lighting plays a significant role in setting the tone of a room, and Schubert is a strong advocate for investing in layered lighting. Use a combination of ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting to create depth and mood.
- Tip: Consider adding statement light fixtures like a chandelier or pendant lamps, and complement them with table lamps or floor lamps for a softer, more ambient light.
7. Do Incorporate Personal Touches
No room should feel like it’s been “decorated by a designer” to the point where it loses personality. Schubert encourages his clients to add personal touches that reflect their lifestyle and interests, whether through artwork, heirlooms, or travel souvenirs.
- Tip: Display your favorite books, unique sculptures, or personalized artwork. These elements make a space feel lived-in and uniquely yours.
The Don’ts of Decorating According to Brandon Schubert
1. Don’t Overcrowd the Room
One of the most common mistakes people make in decorating is filling every available space with furniture or accessories. Schubert warns against overcrowding a room, as it can make the space feel cramped, cluttered, and difficult to navigate.
- Tip: Leave enough space between furniture pieces to allow for easy flow and conversation. Keep pathways clear, and ensure each piece in the room has enough breathing room to shine.
2. Don’t Be Afraid of Empty Walls
While it’s tempting to fill every wall with artwork, mirrors, or shelves, Schubert believes that empty walls can actually be quite powerful. A few carefully placed items on a wall, or leaving it blank, can bring a sense of tranquility and simplicity to a room.
- Tip: If you’re unsure what to hang, go minimal. Sometimes a single piece of artwork or a bold mirror is all you need to make a statement.
3. Don’t Stick to Only One Style
Brandon Schubert advises against committing strictly to one design style. Whether it's mid-century modern, industrial, or bohemian, Schubert encourages his clients to mix and match different elements to create a curated look that feels layered and rich.
- Tip: Avoid being too rigid with your style. Mix modern lines with traditional touches, or pair boho textiles with sleek furniture. The result will feel unique and authentic.
4. Don’t Forget About Functionality
A beautifully designed space should be functional, and Schubert stresses that you should never sacrifice comfort or practicality for the sake of design. A room that looks great but isn’t comfortable or usable defeats the purpose.
- Tip: Always ensure that your furniture and design choices serve the space’s intended purpose. For example, make sure a sofa is comfortable for lounging or that dining chairs are easy to move around.
5. Don’t Go Overboard with Trends
Schubert advises against being too influenced by fleeting design trends. While it’s okay to incorporate some trendy elements, focusing too much on what’s currently “in” can date a space quickly. Instead, aim for a balance of timeless pieces with the occasional trend-forward accent.
- Tip: Invest in classic furniture and add on-trend accessories like a bold rug or decorative vases that are easy to swap out when trends change.
6. Don’t Overlook the Importance of Texture
While color gets a lot of attention in decorating, Schubert believes texture is equally important. Without texture, a space can feel flat and lifeless. Don’t overlook the potential of fabric, wood, metal, and other materials to add richness and warmth.
- Tip: Mix soft textiles with hard materials like metal, glass, or wood. For instance, pair a leather sofa with a plush velvet pillow, or a wooden coffee table with a linen throw.
7. Don’t Neglect the Finishing Touches
The small details can make or break a room. Schubert emphasizes the importance of those finishing touches, like adding decorative bowls, stylish trays, or elegant candles. These items may seem trivial, but they tie the room together and elevate the design.
- Tip: Incorporate personal objects, stylish storage solutions, and well-curated decorative accents like books, plants, or vintage finds to bring the room together.
Final Thoughts: Designing with Intent and Style
Brandon Schubert’s approach to decorating revolves around balance—combining functionality with beauty, timeless design with contemporary touches, and classic pieces with personal flair. By following these dos and don’ts, you can create spaces that feel well-curated, comfortable, and reflective of your personal style. Whether you’re decorating a cozy apartment or a spacious family home, Schubert’s philosophy emphasizes that design should always be thoughtful, adaptable, and truly yours. Happy decorating!