How to Create Your Very Own Dream Home, According to David Bromstad

When it comes to designing a home, there's a lot to consider. Which color palettes will make you feel happy and serene? Which accessories will bring you joy? Which furnishings are the most functional for your space?

Of course, king of color David Bromstad knows how to navigate all of these questions (and more) — so we sat down with the My Lottery Dream Home host to learn more about what it takes to create a dream home.

David’s Signature Style

Before getting into his tips, let’s tap into David’s unique style. Neutral color palettes and minimalist decor isn't his thing. He like to go all out with color.

“I love everything,” he says. “If you were going to describe my style, it’d be eclectically weird and happy. [That said,] my style is more traditional. I love old things, but I like them reimagined, whether that’s with color or a different way. Give me some really traditional moments and then I’ll throw in a lamp with a monkey hanging from it. Just weird things.”

David’s goal is simple: He wants guests to walk into his space and notice his unconventional design style. “I like antiques that are weird. I like new things that are weird,” he says. “I like things that make people go, ‘What the heck is that?’ I have this sheep at my front door and people are like, ‘What the heck is that? I thought it was a dog.’ Because it’s big, it’s life-size. And it’s actually a bench to put your shoes on. People are like, ‘You are so weird.’ And I’m like, ‘I know, right? Thanks.’”

While not everyone necessarily wants a home as vibrant as David’s, everyone can benefit from his genius creative process.

David’s Top Tips For Finding and Creating Your Own Dream Home

Be Willing to Compromise

“I had to compromise on my closet,” he reveals. “But I went into my house hunt realizing there’s no closet on this planet that’s going to be able to house my clothes. So, it wasn’t like, ‘Ugh! It doesn’t have a gigantic walk-in closet, I can’t do it.’ I just turned one of my guest rooms into a closet, until I get my new one. That’s part of my renovation. And that’s what’s fun for me. Do I need it? No. Do I want it? Yes.”

Think About Aesthetic, Not Materials

When guests walk into his home, one of the first things they notice are the statement beams on his ceiling. But, little do they know (until he tells them, of course), the beams are made of foam. “Wood right now is ridiculous and [foam beams] are super lightweight and they can be put up anywhere, in any space, and it completely transforms the room,” he says. “It gives it an identity.”

Paint is Your Best Friend

“Paint honestly is the place to go if you’re on a budget,” David says. “A gallon of paint is, what, $30? Transform your room for $60, max — you know, it all depends on the size of your room — but that is the biggest way to transform a room.”

Wallpaper Makes a Difference

Another way to transform your walls? “I love wallpaper; I think it’s come so far and the quality is so nice,” David says. “The patterns these artists are coming up with blows my mind. It's the thing that makes me most excited about design right now. It creates dimension — and you can do it with a mural, but it’s going to take forever or it’s going to cost a lot of money. With wallpaper, it’s already there.”

Switch Up Your Decor

If painting isn’t an option, David recommends switching up your accessories. “If you don’t want to paint, exchange all your throw pillows,” he says. “Put new stuff in. Grab a new rug. Color transforms a space whether you like it or not.” One way he stands by this rule in his own home is with his sofa. “I [bought] a sofa — I got one [cover] that’s cream and the other one is pink,” he shares. “I’ll probably have the pink up mostly. It’s pink velvet, so, hello.”

Don’t Feel Like You Have to Spend a Ton of Money

Just because David is a famous designer doesn’t mean he goes all out at high-end stores for every purchase he makes. “I shop at Target a lot,” he reveals. “I only shop at affordable places.” HomeGoods and T.J. Maxx? He’s there.

Think About the Pieces You Want to Invest In

When decorating a home, David suggests budgeting more for the spaces where you spend the most time. “Invest in a sofa,” he suggests. “That’s where I spent a big chunk. And I allowed myself to do it because that’s where I live. I live on my sofa. It’s the first thing I do after I wake up, it’s the last thing I do before I go to bed. It’s where my family gathers. It’s where we have coffees. We socialize and watch TV as a bonding experience.”

Don’t be Afraid to Make Mistakes

“To me, there are no rules,” David says. “It’s all about trial and error and experimentation. That’s how we learn. That’s how anyone learns. Don’t be afraid to make a mistake. Making those mistakes will make you go, ‘Ah, this is OK, but …’ and you learn from it. It’s the only way.”

For more inspo from David follow him on Instagram at @bromco or stream past episodes of My Lottery Dream Home on Max.