Design Tips To Make Your Home Feel Like It Came Out Of A Rom-Com

When choosing the perfect design style for your space, have you ever dreamt of nailing the look you see depicted in your favorite rom-coms? If so, you may have assumed that replicating the chic but somehow still homey living spaces in real life is impractical. It turns out that implementing the rom-com home interior trend is actually easier than you might think. Erika Dale, House Digest's interior design expert and founder of Erika Dale Interior Design, shared a detailed breakdown of the rom-com interior decor trend and what it entails. 

"When you hear 'rom-com' decor or the Nancy Meyers aesthetic, it's referring to the effortlessly upscale and chic yet lived-in, comfortable aesthetic depicted in your favorite romantic comedies of the 1990s and early 2000s," she explained. "You know, that wonderfully quirky English cottage or heavily used yet somehow still dreamy kitchen with its open windows overlooking the beach in the Hamptons? These picture-imperfect interiors strike the ideal (and sometimes tricky) balance between curated quiet luxury and a casual approachability."

While speaking exclusively to House Digest, Dale revealed her design tips to incorporate this trend within your own home. She recommended integrating a blend of traditional, antique, cozy, and quirky decor pieces. When you're done, you'll be left with a space that's just as eclectic and sophisticated as the home your favorite rom-com character lives in.

While speaking exclusively to House Digest, Erika Dale revealed the key decor pieces you should add to your living space if you want to feel like you're living in a rom-com. "The rom-com aesthetic toes the line between playful vintage pieces and tailored, clean-lined classics that look impeccably curated but somehow also create a vibe that's inviting, sociable, and not too fussy," the interior designer explained. "So don't be afraid to mix classic transitional pieces with quirky antiques for a little whimsy." One way to implement this is by opting for timeless wooden furniture that will never go out of style and pairing it with unique antique art pieces you find at your local second-hand shops.

Dale went on to reveal which smaller decor pieces complement this aesthetic. "Next, layer in homey, cozy touches like throw pillows and blankets, piles of books, and sentimental treasures to warm the space and make it feel welcoming," she shared. "Mix patterns (florals, preppy coastal stripes, etc.), textures, and colors to create a visually interesting space full of depth, warmth, and sophistication." 

Don't be afraid to select textures, patterns, or colors that are unique and true to you when following Dale's advice. Although the homes in rom-coms certainly have a classic feel, you may have noticed that they are also full of personality. You can have fun experimenting with these decor elements to really make the space your own.

If you're not sure what type of furniture you should use to implement the rom-com interior design layout, fear not. Erika Dale shared her tips on this, too. "Depending on the exact rom-com vibe you are going for (cottage versus coastal, for example), the exact patterns and items you will incorporate will vary," she said while speaking exclusively to House Digest. "An English cottage look will have a distinctly upscale European flair with the approachability of a homestead aesthetic, whereas a coastal look will showcase more transitional slipcovered furniture and softer patterns that gives upper-middle-class-living-on-the-beach vibes." Dale added that you should also pair hygge finishing touches with the furniture. Think cozy throw blankets or oversized pillows, for example.

Before you go off and transform your living room into the ultimate rom-com-inspired gathering space, take Dale's words of caution into consideration. She warned that it isn't always easy to nail the proper balance of chic and quirky that you see throughout the living spaces in these movies. You may want to use photos of your favorite rom-com home interiors to guide your styling decisions and help you achieve the correct balance.