Nate Berkus is a self-taught decorator who in 1995, at age 24, began his own design firm, Chicago-based Nate Berkus Associates. Clients have included Wolfgang Puck’s Spago, Barneys New York and W hotels.

He became a regular on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” after appearing in 2001 for making over a small space. He wrote the book “Home Rules: Transform the Place You Live Into a Place You’ll Love” (Hyperion, 2005). He hosts his own Oprah Radio show on Sirius XM and last year launched a line of home products on the Home Shopping Network. For more, go to

www.nateberkus.com

. We caught up with Berkus by telephone.

How did you become interested in design?

Working for an auction house based in Chicago. I’ve always been fascinated by furniture and decorative arts.

How can someone on a limited budget transform a room?

One of the things I suggest is called “Moving Day.” Shop within your own house. Take the mirror from the entryway and place it in the bathroom. Put your master bedroom nightstands in the guest room. After you’re done moving, write down what you’d like to update and invest the least amount of money you can in updating those things. For example, maybe a lamp only needs a new shade.

When it comes to design, people struggle with how to project their personal style. What are some of your suggestions?

Ask yourself how you want to feel in your space. Attaching emotions is a good place to start. Do you want to convey energy? Tranquility? Do you want it to feel organized? Like you’re on a vacation? Do you want it to convey your effectiveness as a business person or parent? Power or humbleness?

What’s OK to splurge on in a home?

Regardless of what it is, and even when I’m working with young clients, I tell them to invest in the best quality you can afford. I’m not into throwaway furniture, and I’m not into trends.

What’s a good way to hide things that accumulate around the house?

I’m a ruthless editor. I literally go through everything once a month and give things to charity or friends. It takes effort. It’s like home Pilates. You can’t let it go for 10 years and expect your home to be in good shape all of a sudden.

What are your favorite things?

Collections of photography and monogrammed cocktail napkins from my grandmother. I love objects I find from travels and flea markets. There’s a central theme to what I have: Everything has meaning for me.

If someone is overwhelmed by updating their home, how should they get started?

Professional designers all read the same magazines, and most have huge reference libraries. So, people should hit the public library before they start on a project. Read three months of magazines and photocopy the images that speak to you. Then go through them, edit them down and put them in a binder. It will greatly inform what you do.