Rom-Com Decor Trend: Tips To Give Your Home A Nostalgic Feel
Close your eyes and picture the interior of your favorite rom-com. Are you thinking of a crackling fire warming a cozy English cottage? Or perhaps you are dreaming of a picturesque coastal beach house with open French doors welcoming a fresh ocean breeze. Regardless of which idyllic scenery you are picturing, the trend of bringing in this sense of 1990s/early 2000s romantic movie nostalgia is everywhere right now. Also lovingly called "Nancy Meyers design" thanks to her iconic movie interiors (think "The Parent Trap," "Father of the Bride," "It's Complicated," and "Something's Got To Give," to name a few), this aesthetic is all about comfort, charm, and casual elegance.
Typically mixing clean lines with vintage whimsy in a comfortable yet chic transitional style, rom-com design embraces the nostalgia of the romanticized, Hollywood version of our childhood homes from movies of this same era. Rom-coms often show an ideal domestic environment that is charmingly imperfect, relaxed, and effortlessly sophisticated. Overlapping with the design aesthetic dubbed "Coastal Grandma," a room in the rom-com style will be full of layered patterns, soft pillows, warm throws, piles of books, slipcovered furniture, chic yet heavily used kitchens, treasures unique to the homeowner, and more. These spaces feel inviting, sociable, and homey — the perfect locale for falling in love or bonding with family. To achieve the same rom-com vibes in your home, layer color, texture, and pattern with vintage accents and soft lighting to create the same sentimental, classic, perfectly collected, and lived-in look.
Create coziness by layering pattern, soft color, and texture
One of the hallmarks of rom-com design is creating a warm atmosphere that envelops you like a hug. The key to creating this cozy vibe is to layer design elements to ensure the space feels like a lived-in and loved home rather than a soulless, fussy magazine photo. Color-wise, start with a fresh foundation of earth tones and neutrals to give that airy, sophisticated vibe of your favorite rom-com beach house or English cottage. Next, add in soft pops of subtle color like blush or coastal blues, as well as some richer tones like forest green, navy, and dark wood tones to create depth. Use a mix of timeless prints and patterns, such as floral prints or a comforting plaid, to bring the nostalgia factor into play. Finally, mix textures, fabrics, and materials (such as velvet, knit, rustic wood, linen, leather, metallic, etc.) to create a visually interesting space with many layers to explore.
To enhance the ultimate rom-com hygge feeling, maximize the natural light in the space with open windows or flowing drapery sheers to get that dreamy, airy daytime glow. In the evenings, stay away from harsh overhead lighting, opting instead for warm table lamps, beautiful candles, and a lit fireplace to create the romantic, cozy atmosphere perfect for reading a book or enjoying a glass of wine. Setting the mood with the right ambient lighting will ensure your layers of soft colors, textures, and patterns give ultimate rom-com vibes.
Make it feel bespoke with personal touches
Each interior on your favorite rom-com creates a bespoke atmosphere special to that location and inhabitant, full of individual personality and charm. To achieve this same unique feeling in your space, craft a home layered with your personal collections, treasures, heirlooms, and hobbies to bring it to life and ensure it feels unmistakably yours. Add character and whimsy by mixing in one-of-a-kind vintage accents and antiques. Layer the entire home with books, giving it a nostalgic, relaxed, and unplugged vibe that encourages curling up with your favorite novel, while also adding visual texture and depth to each room.
Round out the look by decorating with elements from nature to keep it grounded, such as a piece of driftwood, shell collection, wildflower bouquet, potted herbs in the kitchen, or sisal rug. Rom-com interiors embrace and celebrate the unique outdoor environment just beyond the perfectly flung open French doors, so take inspiration from your exterior space to create a perfectly collected interior. By building a well-curated, intentional, and distinctive space full of cozy texture, pattern and lighting, it will ensure your home exudes the same charm, eclectic sophistication, and therapeutic nostalgia as your favorite rom-com interiors.