Movie night is always something I look forward to in my house, especially after a busy week of projects at my Austin interior design firm. When you think about it, creating the visual world of a movie is not that different from designing someone’s home. The colors, lighting, and props used on set come together to set the mood and tell the story of the characters who inhabit this made-up world. Similarly, the paint, fixtures, and furnishings designers pick for their clients’ homes help tell the story of those who reside inside. Directors and designers are both storytellers, creating immersive and transportive spaces. Sometimes, you don’t have to look any further than your favorite movie for interior design inspiration.  

 

8 Movies to Watch for Interior Design Inspiration 

I could live inside of many movies and be happy. Here are some of my favorite movies to watch for interior design inspiration. 

1. Amelie

I was reminded of the movie Amelie after a recent trip to Paris. It came out decades ago now in 2001 and was revolutionary for its time. The plot is a simple story of a girl helping others, but the world these characters live in is magical and surreal. I love the look of it. Every shot is carefully considered and the interiors are highly detailed, with an almost cartoon-like styling. The colors are reminiscent of the fauvism art movement, with lots of bold hues and unrealistic representations. I recommend this film to anyone looking to add the unexpected to their home. 

2. The Royal Tenenbaums

The Royal Tenenbaums came out at almost the exact same time and had an equally absurdist feel. Director Wes Anderson has a special talent for creating a world that is so engaging yet inaccessible to the viewer, leaving us wishing to be a part of it even more. The rooms of each of the Tenenbaum children tell a strong story of who they are as characters. You’d be able to learn their motivations even with the sound off and still be completely enamored by the visuals of their home alone. If you are shying away from color, revisit this movie to remember what it feels like to be enveloped by a home with character and charm. 

3. Se7en 

Design has the power to affect our mood, whether that is to make us feel jovial and comfortable or dark and on edge. Se7en by David Fincher is a dark, gritty, and visually striking crime thriller. The film’s style includes a color palette of browns and grays, a bleak setting, and detective-film lighting. Now, I am not saying to style your home off a homicide scene. However, it doesn’t always hurt to add some grit to your design and contrast all the pretty and soft with something a little darker and unexpected. 

4. A Room with a View

As a teenager, I fell in love with all things British, especially Merchant Ivory films. The 1985 film A Room with a View is known for its rich colors, natural-looking film grain, and detailed cinematography. The movie was filmed in Italy and England, and the sets and costuming are enveloped in linen for a dreamy summer feel. The material brings a romantic ambiance to interiors that’s hard to ignore. This is a neutral color palette I can support — one layered with texture, charm, and endless romantic afternoons. 

5. My Neighbor Totoro 

My Neighbor Totoro is an animated Studio Ghibli film. The studio is known for its immersive realism, vibrant colors, and whimsical characters inspired by Japanese art. The scenes of this movie are grounded in magical realism and nature. It reminds me to look for the unexpected beauty outside that can inspire a design and to bring those natural elements back into the home. 

6. Beauty and the Beast (1946)

The 1946 Beauty and the Beast is much darker than the Disney cartoon version. However, there is so much beauty to be had in the darkness of this set design. The Beast’s castle features wall sconces supported by moving arms, marble busts with wandering eyes, and sheer curtains that dance in the chilling breezes. It’s completely opulent and over the top, while also being delightfully macabre. Again, it’s a reminder that there’s beauty to be found in the shadows.  

7. Phantom Thread 

Phantom Thread came out in 2017 and transports the viewer to the world of 1950s British fashion design. I think this movie is a great reminder that fashion and interiors are interlinked, playing with textiles, forms, and repeating cycles of style. They inform each other, just as the costumes play an important role in the sets here. 

8. Breaking Bad 

It’s not a movie, but I love the Breaking Bad series — so you can think of this as a bonus binge. While the sets of Breaking Bad aren’t exactly aspirational when it comes to their design, they do their job incredibly well when it comes to telling the story of the characters. As their lives unravel, so do their living environments. Remember, your home style affects your lifestyle. 

Don’t Leave Plot Holes in Your Interiors

These movies are must-sees for anyone looking to add drama to their home. If you’re not convinced that the visual world affects our lives, you only need to pick one film from this list to be shown otherwise. Design has a huge impact on how you feel and live your life. 

 

Don’t leave any room for plot holes.