How To Make Your Apartment Look Like a Movie

Le Rayon Vert directed by Eric Rohmer

Le Rayon Vert directed by Eric Rohmer

by Christiane Salamat

We’ve all wished we could live inside of a movie at one point. Whether your dream apartment looks like Carrie Bradshaw’s Upper East Side apartment, or maybe Mia Thermopolis’ firehouse-turned-home in The Princess Diaries, here are some tips to make your apartment look like it’s been carefully curated by a production designer.

The Darjeeling Limited directed by Wes Anderson

The Darjeeling Limited directed by Wes Anderson

Decide which movie aesthetic you’re going for

From here, you can choose the color palette and base everything else around that. Every movie has its own aesthetic – for a David Lynch direction, think neutrals with the occasional punchy jewel tone. For a Wes Anderson-inspired look, consider a pastel color palette, an array of analog technology, and maybe moving to an island off the New England coast. (Just kidding?)

Pink mushroom lamp

PINK STRIPED MUSHROOM LAMP * $29.99

Schatzi Brown alice checkered mauve tray

SCHATZI BROWN * ALICE CHECKERED MAUVE TRAY * $59

Gustaf Westman Objects x SSENSE

GUSTAF WESTMAN OBJECTS * SSENSE EXCLUSIVE PINK CURVY MINI MIRROR * $1,310

Lighting, lighting, lighting!

Lighting is the secret ingredient to constructing the perfect ambience. Having different sources of light in the form of a window and a couple of ornamental lamps creates a cozy, cinematic atmosphere. These LED strip lights, for example, can turn your apartment into a Euphoria house party for one. Meanwhile, replacing your normal light bulbs with vintage Edison light bulbs can add a steampunk flair to your apartment – think Blade Runner.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s directed by Blake Edwards

Breakfast at Tiffany’s directed by Blake Edwards

ADD SOME PERSONALITY

One thing set designers always keep in mind is to make their characters’ rooms look like they’re really lived in. Your personal space is an physical embodiment of yourself, and, with that in mind, set designers are tasked with the goal of making a room tell a story about its inhabitant. That means little trinkets lying around, framed (or taped up) photos of loved ones and memories past, and even consciously keeping a natural amount of clutter around. When envisioning Lady Bird, Greta Gewig wanted the movie to “look like a memory,” so the set decorator curated Lady Bird’s bedroom walls with posters, stickers, and album covers, down to the very angle from which they were hung. That’s the level of dedication you’ll need to bring.

Last Night directed by Massy Tadjedan

Last Night directed by Massy Tadjedan

H&M asymmetric glass vase

H&M * ASYMMETRIC GLASS VASE * $17.99

MAXIMIZE YOUR SPACE

When planning out an apartment or bedroom set, the designer is more often than not working to turn a limited area into a functional, realistic-looking living space. They can make the most out of small spaces by incorporating different textiles (curtains, rugs, bedsheets, and the like!) and statement furniture pieces. You might think that mismatched patterns might clash, but in the case of movies like The Holiday, mixed textiles create a charming cottagecore aesthetic. Also consider wallpaper, which is a quick fix for boring walls. If you’re not ready to make the switch, Crate & Barrel sells removable wallpapers like this one, perfect for us non-committal folks.

*Originally published September 23, 2020, updated March 19, 2024

*DNAMAG uses affiliate links, but these do not influence our editorial content. We may earn commission for any sales from affiliate links.


BACKDROP