6 movies you need to watch before your next redecorating project
If you are design obsessed you will notice inspiration everywhere. In art, architecture, books, magazines, bars, restaurants, and of course, movies. Movie sets that create worlds around our favorite characters and plots have become just as influential as high-brow trend setters, if not more so.
You can see it clearly with the rising love for the Nancy Meyers aesthetic. We all want that cozy, lived-in look and it’s a style that’s been perhaps the biggest influence on interior design trends of the last few months (coastal Grandma, nostalgia-core, vintage decor, warm color schemes, we could go on).
But what other movie interiors have us wanting to redecorate? I asked the Homes & Gardens team for their favorite movie interiors that they always return to for inspiration. From Breakfast at Tiffany’s to The Talented Mr. Ripley, the results were varied, but they also all had the common thread of nostalgia. These were comfort classic films, as well as beautifully styled ones – again linking to the bigger 2025 trend of being inspired by the characterful, charming interiors of the past.
1. Breakfast at Tiffany’s
(Image credit: Alamy / Breakfast at Tiffany’s 1961)
Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) is known for its stellar cast and quirky plotline, but Megan Slack, our Celebrity Editor at Homes & Gardens, says the film is her favorite source of inspiration when it comes to interiors.
Undoubtedly influencing small room trends, Holly Golightly’s bijoux apartment is a lesson in timeless chic, no matter how small your space is. Megan explains. ‘I adore Holly Golighty’s apartment in Breakfast at Tiffany’s – in the film, they remark that it looks like she’s just moved in, because she lives out of suitcases/crates, but somehow she makes it look so chic.’
‘Living in slight chaos fits her character, which makes it all the more perfect, and it doesn’t feel messy, just stylish. It’s proof that you don’t need a lot of space to make something your own, and it includes a cat, in case I couldn’t already love it more.’
Vintage 3 Piece Mid Century Luggage Set by Kaufman
Stack this trio of vintage suitcases in a entryway like in the film, or place at the end of a bed and fill with clothing for a handy storage opportunity.
For a pop of pattern, place this zebra print area rug at the heart of your sitting room for a decadent, 1960s-inspired look that honors Holly’s bijoux apartment.
Signature Velvet Pillow Cover (Rosewood)
Place this rose-colored throw pillow on an armchair or at the center of a bed for a touch of grandeur that pays homage to Holly Golightly’s iconic interiors.
2. The Royal Tenenbaums
(Image credit: Alamy / The Royal Tenenbaums 2001)
Undoubtedly an example of a maximalist home, Jo Bailey, Homes & Gardens’ print editor, says The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), directed by Wes Anderson, is one of her all-time favorite movies due to its bold and colorful interiors.
Jo says the movie is filled with maximalist decor ideas, and even the smallest touches are inspiring and interesting. ‘For eccentric, nostalgic, maximalist, vintage Americana. Think taxidermy, wall-mounted paintings in gilded frames, heavy drapes, vintage board games, and old-school televisions. A set designer’s dream job!’
Undoubtedly inspired by retro styles, The Royal Tenenbaums is a lesson in decorating with vintage and incorporating past extravagance in your scheme. Whether you’re fitting an ornate sconce or hanging a gilt frame, it’s these small touches that can give your scheme character and nod to iconic looks.
Rose City 3-1/4″ Fitter Arched Sconce
This retro-style sconce feels timeless yet deeply historical. It’s an easy piece to integrate into any scheme while subtly nodding to the Wes Anderson vintage aesthetic.
Swoon Performance Rug 5’x7’3″
You’ll notice a patterned rug in the living room of The Royal Tenenbaums, much like this design from West Elm. Honoring past styles, it’s a colorful yet classic piece that will liven up an empty floor.
Soicher Marin Outskirts Of Paris At Dusk Painting
There’s plenty of ornate decor in the set of the film, notably paintings in gold picture frames like this beautiful piece that depicts Paris at dusk.
3. It’s Complicated
(Image credit: Alamy / It’s Complicated (2009))
Our UK Editor, Sophia Pouget, said the kitchen in It’s Complicated (2009), directed by Nancy Meyers, has long been her favorite interior in a movie. The Nancy Meyers kitchen, specifically, is what everyone remembers; it is filled with timeless features.
‘The kitchen in It’s Complicated is, without question, my dream movie kitchen. Designed by Jon Hutman, whose production design work has shaped the look and feel of some of film’s most beloved interiors, with the likes of The Holiday and Something’s Gotta Give, coincidentally the other two big players on my top 10 movie interiors list. The space is layered with detail but never overdone, and as such, it’s decidedly luxurious but not pretentious. I love how this kitchen has remained a timeless classic, you wouldn’t be able to pin it under any specific trend that has come and gone as quickly as you can say beaucoup bouclé.’
‘The sweeping marble kitchen island, opening shelving, iron windows (overlooking the herb garden, obviously), and a range cooker of chefs’ dreams, all framed by a wonderful archway that opens up into the dining area. It’s not precious or overly-styled; instead, it’s warm, functional, and deeply personal with a true sense that real life unfolds here (affairs with your ex-husband and all!)’
ASTIER DE VILLATTE
Rome glazed ceramic platter
Simple yet elegant, this ceramic platter would look best on a dresser or in an armoire amongst other styles for an eclectic arrangement that mirrors all the enviable dining rooms in Nancy’s films.
Mauviel M’150B Copper Fry Pan
Hang above a stove on a utensil rail or stack on a shelf with other copper pieces for a farmhouse-inspired look that honors the It’s Complicated kitchen in a contemporary way.
Farmhouse Metal Pole Pendant (18″) (Black)
Three black pendant lights hang above the table in the movie, much like this farmhouse style variety from Pottery Barn that feels classic yet elevated.
4. The Talented Mr. Ripley
(Image credit: Alamy / The Talented Mr Ripley 1999)
The interiors in Anthony Minghella’s The Talented Mr Ripley (1999) perfectly balance midcentury modern ideas with classic European design. The movie is filmed all over Italy, but it’s Dickie Greenleaf’s (Jude Law) impressive transitional designed apartment that still wows viewers to this day.
Jo says this is her other favorite movie interior, saying, ‘For Mid-century Mediterranean elegance, Italian post-war glamor. Think wicker chairs, antique mirrors, wrought-iron balconies, rustic tiles, and record players spinning jazz. It makes me want to hop on a plane to Positano!’
A rustic urn or iron table can bring a sense of grandeur and timelessness into the home, nodding to the movie’s iconic interiors subtly and sophisticatedly.
French Marble and Gilded Wrought Iron Side Table, 1940s
Dating from the 1940s, the iron and marble side table looks like it came straight from The Talented Mr Ripley film set. It’s classic and an example of lasting design at its best.
Ajwan 33.8” Wide Rattan Armchair
The gorgeous terraces and gardens in the film feature so much enviable furniture, like this rattan armchair that’s both comfortable yet sophisticated.
Elongated Floral Terracotta Planter
You’ll notice terracotta urns in Dickie’s apartment filled with hanging plants. This elongated planter feels deeply classical in shape and would bring a timeless elegance to any space.
5. Pride and Prejudice
(Image credit: Alamy / Pride and Prejudice 2005)
Newsletter Editor, Caroline Moratti, named Pride and Prejudice (2005) as her favorite movie due to its classic and traditional interior design.
Caroline said, ‘It’s unashamedly my go-to comfort movie. The Bennetts’ house always feels so incredibly cozy, the kind of place where you want to curl up on a stormy day. Each room is layered and lived-in, with the perfect rambleshackle mix of paintings and soft furnishings. I love the duck-egg blue walls, striped sofas, and books scattered absolutely everywhere. It’s a house of faded glory, but all the better for it; gold candlesticks go side-by-side with farm animals wandering through the hallways. It feels authentic and beautiful, every last corner.’
Vintage Solid Brass Candle Sconces – a Pair
This pair of gold candle sconces is a no-brainer if you love the interiors of Pride and Prejudice. They’re ornate but can be toned down with neutral decor and contemporary furniture for a less traditional look.
SureFit Heavyweight Cotton Duck T-Cushion Sofa Slipcovers
The living room in the film features a selection of pinstriped sofas. To mirror the look, try this classic slipcover you can drape on your sofa for an uplifting refresh.
Vintage Moody English Countryside Painting
Decadent gold frames adorn the walls of the Bennets’ house and Mr Darcy’s home. This English countryside painting nods to the film’s beautiful landscapes and will give any room a sense of grandeur.
6. The Parent Trap
(Image credit: Alamy / The Parent Trap 1998)
Head of Interiors, Hebe Hatton, said she will always love The Parent Trap (1998) for its traditional yet inspiring interiors, where both the London and Napa houses are each beautiful in their own right.
She said, ‘You only get a glimpse of Nick Parker’s gorgeous Napa house in The Parent Trap, but what you do see is a laid-back, effortlessly stylish, ranch-style house that I have always been envious of. The high ceilings and original details (note the huge stone fireplace in the living room) work perfectly as the backdrop for the mix of styles going on in the home. There are ornate vintage pieces, worn-in area rugs, modern art, and large armchairs that look like they’ve been picked for the sole purpose of comfort. It’s a lovely, transitional home, it looks like a home built over time, collected, not curated.’
You’ll notice a large-scale modern painting hanging in the living room of the Napa house. It gives the room character and a modern edge, a similar effect that this Mark Making painting will give to a space.
Unwind Modular 3-Piece Slipcovered Reversible Sectional Sofa
The living room in the Napa house proves that comfort is just as important as style, so what better way of honoring this feel than by opting for a plush modular sofa?
Art Deco French Table Lamp in Pewter, 1930s
This Art Deco lamp is chic and timeless. It mixes modernity and past grandeur, making it an excellent way of embracing the transitional style.
While we would all like to say our interior design inspiration comes from higher places (and yes, some of it does), all these movies prove that our most-loved film sets have impacted our style and love of design.
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