Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Inspiration

How to decorate your living room like a Wes Anderson film set

Darcey Gohring
By

Wes Anderson is the mastermind behind such visually captivating films like Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Royal Tenenbaums, and The Darjeeling Limited, to name a few. In his movies, the Wes Anderson set style is just as well-known as his eccentric characters. This is in part due to his uncanny ability to arrange objects and scenery to create a mood. The result is a vibrant, lively, and exciting feast for the eyes. What if you could bring some of that magic into your design and make your living room one guests will remember? Here, we channel the iconic director to inspire a room so striking it will be fit for the big screen.

Recommended Videos

Difficulty

Moderate

What You Need

  • Bold graphic patterns of wallpaper

  • Statement pieces with bold colors or patterns

  • Everyday objects that are visually striking

  • A mix of modern and antique furniture

  • Vintage photographs

  • Photo frames of various colors and sizes

Wes Anderson
Cineberg/Shutterstock

Symmetry

Wes Anderson is known as the “King of Symmetry.” You can see this in his films with the use of a monochromatic color palette and a one-point perspective. When designing an Anderson-inspired space, you must always keep the big picture in mind. What you want to create overall is a balanced room and one in which everything works together as a whole. No elements should be fighting one another.

Color

Nearly all of Anderson’s movies have a color story that gives each one its own feel. For example, in The Royal Tenenbaums, there are a lot of pinks and reds, and in Fantastic Mr. Fox, warm colors such as reds, oranges, browns, and yellows are used. Each color used signifies an emotion the director wants to evoke. When choosing the predominant hue for your space, think about how you want the room to feel. Are you looking to create a relaxing atmosphere or a social and energetic one? Make sure the color you select conveys what you want to say.

Bring in the bold

Anderson often incorporates quirky and unique wallpapers and fabrics into his sets. One of the best examples of this is in a train car interior in The Darjeeling Limited, which features a distinct diamond pattern.

Step 1: Taking a cue from Anderson and using an unusual wallpaper in your own space will infuse it with personality and make the design more original.

Step 2: Look for bold graphic patterns and use them on a feature wall, line bookcases, or frame a smaller swatch.

living room with navy velvet couch, black and white checkered floor, and navy wall
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Make a statement

Find anchor pieces that set the tone for the entire room. These can be a colorful sofa, boldly patterned rugs, or armchairs upholstered in a surprising pattern. They should reflect your own personal style and stand out either in tone or shape.

It’s all in the details

No object in an Anderson set has not been well thought out. He is known to pick each and every one, and many are meant to symbolize something about a character. The trick in your own room is carefully selecting everyday objects that are visually striking to look at and say something about you. Look for objects that convey your interests or hobbies in bright and engaging colors.

Vintage and modern

Anderson’s designs are anything but vanilla. You aren’t going to see mass-produced, standard pieces in them. What you will see is a stunning juxtaposition between modern and antique furniture. The result is a one-of-a-kind look that is inspiring and unpredictable.

Step 1: The key here is to combine pieces from different decades using vintage and original aesthetics.

Step 2: You can also take vintage pieces and give them a modern look by painting them a surprising modern color.

Unexpected art

Anderson has a way of combining the traditional with the quirky in a way that feels current and vintage at the same time. If The Royal Tenenbaums is any indication, you should add framed art wherever possible.

Step 1: Look for vintage photographs and paintings that give the impression they have been collected over the years.

Step 2: Hang them in an eclectic fashion and mix and match frames of various colors and sizes.

Wes Anderson’s style is about thoughtfully choosing each element to create a design that stands out. By bringing together color and shape and adding in bold graphic prints and vintage pieces, you will have a space that is truly unique and always camera-ready.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Darcey Gohring
Darcey Gohring
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Darcey Gohring is a freelance writer based just outside New York City. She served as the managing editor of New Jersey…
How to feng shui your home office for maximum productivity
Houseplants, inspirational messages — feng shui your office today
Woman sitting at desk in a work from home office

When it comes to working at home, your environment can play a big role in your overall productivity. You want to create a productive workspace. A lot of different factors impact your productivity, including your meals, exercise, and sleep. One thing you may not consider when improving your overall office productivity is feng shui.

Read more
A polka dot plant adds color and life to your home – here’s how to care for it
Your lovely polka dot plant can thrive indoors with these plant care and maintenance tips
Top view of a polka dot plant

Houseplants have a lot of benefits, like elevating your mood and purifying the air. Arguably their best benefit, though, is that they liven up a room with style and color. That's why the polka dot plant is so popular. It has bright, colorful foliage that comes in a variety of shades, like pink, white, green, and red. That's how this lovely plant adds a splash of color to match any decor.

While they certainly brighten up the room, polka dot plants can be finicky, and they do have a strict care routine. We'll discuss what you need to do to help your polka dot plant thrive indoors.

Read more
Satin vs. eggshell paint: How to choose the right finish for every room
Deciding between satin and eggshell paint? Read an expert's thoughts here
Pink and blue color blocking wall paint design

Repainting your home is one of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to transform your home. However, before you start poring over paint swatches and heading to your local hardware or paint store to buy your house paint primer and paint, there is one major decision you need to make: finish. Let's talk about what paint finish is, how it will impact your painting project, and which you should choose when it comes to satin vs. eggshell paint.

What is paint finish?
When we talk about paint finish, we're referring to the texture and appearance of a painted surface after the paint has dried. Basically, it's the final touch that determines the overall aesthetic and feel of the painted area. Paint finishes can vary in terms of sheen (glossiness), smoothness, and durability, and each type of finish has its own unique characteristics. Paint finish isn't a one-size-fits-all situation, and the finish of the paint can make a big difference in how it looks.

Read more