Style Spotlight: Film Genre Design Decor

Movie sets are one of the most important features in a film. Like music, they evoke feelings, help the story progress, and aid in character development. But even the best interior design sets often go unnoticed—consciously at least. There are some classic movie sets that can’t be ignored, however. The interior designs in movies like these are so unforgettable that they inspire decor trends and come to epitomize the decor they represent.  

We’ve seen some amazing interior design in film over the years. We’ve chosen a few of our favorites to share here, narrowing it down to just one or two per genre, to inspire you to embrace the set designer in you...or maybe just create an homage to your favorite film. Either way, these are some film home decor we love that deserve a second take—and they might just inspire your next design project.  

Genre: Film Noir 

Decor Style: Mid-Century Modern (MCM)

Film Inspirations: North By Northwest, 1959; Revolutionary Road, 2008

Focus: Home Office

In Revolutionary Road, the Wheelers are a couple who longed for a Bohemian kind of lifestyle but ended up unwittingly committing to suburban life. We love how the film decor becomes a character here, a symbol of their unwillingness to let go of their dreams. While their neighbors hang on to their Colonial and more traditional styles, the Wheelers inject Mid-Century Modern (MCM) and Scandinavian decor, even hanging pieces of abstract art.  

North by Northwest was one of the first films to openly highlight the sophistication and luxury of modernist architecture. The famous “Vandamm House,” a set modeled in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright, was created by Hitchcock’s production designer and team to exude the trappings of wealth and power. 

Film noir, a genre of crime dramas and thrillers that emerged in the 1940s and 1950s, is known for its dark and moody atmosphere. Film noir interior design aesthetic is often reflected in the film's visual style, including the use of chiaroscuro lighting and striking contrasts between light and shadow.  

In film noir, the settings and interiors are also an important aspect of the overall aesthetic. The use of Mid-Century Modern design elements in film noir interiors adds to the genre's unique style and atmosphere. 

This design aesthetic is often associated with simplicity and sleekness, which aligns perfectly with the moody and atmospheric film noir style.  In film noir interior design, the use of MCM furniture and decor creates a sense of sleekness and sophistication, while also adding to the film decor's overall aesthetic. The furniture is often made of dark woods and is simple in design, with clean lines and minimal ornamentation. This is perfectly suited for the often dark and shadowy interiors of the film noir genre.  

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Some of the most recognizable pieces of MCM design are the iconic furniture. Designed for comfort instead of formality, these pieces were the first to conform to the shape of a person, instead of the opposite. They also began to be made of nontraditional materials, whereas they had previously been mainly made of wood. Later, furniture began to appear more futuristic and in much more vibrant colors, but the main features were clean lines and organic shapes. 

Desks often have spindly legs in this style, while chairs conform to the shape of the body. Feel free to add a sleek desk lamp for task lighting but the real start of the lighting show will be the ornate overhead lighting. Choose a drum style or chandelier. Of course, you’ll need a bar in your home office, a la Don Draper. Choose a freestanding bar or bar cart, accompanied by a beverage fridge. You’re now ready to be the movie villain or unhappy housewife (either way with excellent taste).

Genre: Drama

Decor Style: Craftsman 

Film Inspiration: American Beauty, 1999

Focus: Kitchen

What’s great about Craftsman style is its very American roots and picture-perfect image. It was built almost as a juxtaposition of the Victorian home: sprawling outward instead of upward. It exudes Americana and the ideal American family and life, which is, of course, the opposite of the Burnham family featured in American Beauty. 

Still, we love that the interior of a craftsman home is as intricate and detailed as the outside. It features thick trim around the doors and windows, built-in bookshelves, boxed beams along the ceiling, window seats, and a staircase that is a carpenter’s dream. A fireplace, sometimes more than one, is often featured in a Craftsman home.

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The kitchen, the gathering place of the perfect family, has a specific look in the Craftsman style. High ceilings and cabinetry, a central working island with stools, perhaps a prep sink or cooktop as well. Here we find large appliances that contribute to the decor, instead of just function. A statement piece range hood for example, wall oven, or large range fit perfectly in this space. Subway backsplash tile looks great here, as does faux brick. Hang pendants in a central location and utilize under cabinet lighting for close-up tasks. The key is keeping the space open.

Genre: Period Piece 

Decor Style: Victorian

Film Inspirations: Becoming Jane, 2007, Downton Abbey, 2019

Focus: Dining Area

Is it just us, or does it seem like the family dinner was not so much a time to eat as much as a time to (heatedly) discuss one’s life choices? No matter, the period-centric backdrop in the above-mentioned movies is so exquisite, we can hardly be bothered to pay attention to who is running off with the butler or (gasp!) choosing a life of spinsterhood, as does Jane Austen rather than choose someone she doesn’t love in Becoming Jane. In today's homes, the style is known as Victorian, or the uber-chic Royalcore for the Pinterest crowd.

Get the Look:

It begins with a grand chandelier centered over a table with enough seating for the entire family. You’ll want to have plenty of room for large chairs and table-pounding during those inevitable family arguments. 

Keep family heirlooms in a sideboard or display cabinet flanked by sconces. A home bar looks fabulous in this space. A freestanding bar or bar cart is the perfect place to store what you’ll need to survive any family meal.

Genre: Holiday 

Decor Style: Cabin Chic

Film Inspirations: Literally Any Hallmark Holiday Movie

Focus: Living room, great room

You know the story by now. Hallmark has got it down to a formula. Big city girl (or boy) has lost their holiday spirit and for one reason or another, finds themself in a small town at Holiday time. There’s a “meet cute,'' in which there may or may not be a dog (golden retriever) that is oddly drawn to the out-of-towner. The potential couple can’t stand each other but their paths inevitably keep crossing. Eventually they find themselves at a picture-perfect cabin on Christmas Eve. Or New Years Eve. Or the final night of Hanukkah. There are sweaters, boots, wine, and a roaring fire. Love ensues. And the dog...almost forgot the dog.

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The palette is neutral, but the decor is mixed. There are wooden pieces from shifting design styles and textures varying from faux animal skins (on which to sip wine with one's new love interest) to sleek metals.

For your furniture, combine wood pieces from different decor styles with textures that soothe and pamper. For example, a simple wood sofa with a faux fur area rug or throw. And of course, you’ve got to have a fireplace. This is non-negotiable.

Distressed wood, rustic touches of metal, and a neutral color palette are the defining characteristics of Cabin Chic lighting fixtures. Down-light sconces in matte black add a striking accent to pale wall colors. Ceiling fans contribute the perfect touch of western charm. Hanging pendants or a linear chandelier look amazing centered over a great room. 

We can’t forget barn doors here. As an accent or as a functional way to separate your space, they fit seamlessly into Cabin decor.

Genre: Western

Decor Style: Southwest

Film Inspiration: Unforgiven, 1992

Focus: Home Bar

The sad thing about the gorgeous bars in Western movies is that they usually end up getting smashed to bits in a brawl. Or shot up, as is the case in Clint Eastwood’s Unforgiven. This iconic movie has one of our favorite cowboys playing a bad guy (gasp!) and the saloon (bought for $1000 dollars!) is destroyed. But before that happens, it looks like a pretty cool place to have a drink!

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For starters, you’ll need a bar. The other fundamental elements of a home bar generally are: Refrigeration (perhaps multiple types depending on your beverage tendencies), maybe a bar sink and faucet, seating, accent lighting, and decor.

If adding or converting an existing space is not an option, using a freestanding bar may be just the solution. A popular way to create a home bar in a small space is to keep a stocked bar cart. Bar carts can carry glassware, bottles, and other accoutrements and are often portable. Pair any of these options with a compact refrigerator, beverage center, wine fridge, Kegerator, or any combination thereof for a full-service bar. Don’t forget the stools for cowboys and cowgirls to saunter up to.

Your lighting can shine in warm amber colors of the classic Southwest style. Lighting is ornamental, eclectic, and expressive of the desert landscape. Look for pendants and chandeliers in colorful designs to add to the decor.

Consider wallcoverings in chinoiserie patterns, and a classic wall clock. This would be a great space to incorporate the use of barn doors, particularly dutch doors. As a final touch, add a rack for weary travelers to hang their hats.

Genre: Action

Decor: Industrial

Film Inspiration: Die Hard, 1988

Focus: Entertaining Space

The ability to be clever with words in a sticky situation is an underrated skill. In Die Hard, John McClane gives us a new appreciation for it. That aside, the ‘80s and the Die Hard franchise also gave us a new respect for Industrial Decor. As McClane is running around that building, shirtless and armed shouting pithy one-liners into a walkie, we started thinking about what really matters: and the answer was sleek, steel finishes.

IN A WORLD...just kidding. Industrial style was born from vacant New York City lofts. Loft dwellers celebrated the hard, utilitarian features of commercial buildings. Plumbing, electrical conduit, and ductwork weren't hidden behind sheetrock, but showcased. The premise of industrial design is the repurposing of a previously-used industrial space.

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To create an entertaining space in this style, begin with comfortable seating options. We love leather recliners and loveseats for enjoying entertainment. Next the lighting, which should be dimmable, ideally. Here’s where you can get a little more ornamental. It’s an entertaining room, afterall. Consider drum or sputnik chandeliers. Pendants that won’t detract from the screen, a ceiling fan, and downlights are perfect for this space.

Refreshments, of course, are a must here. Make sure you’re well-stocked on popcorn by having your own popper. Install a beverage center, wine cooler, or Kegerator for convenience, or have your own little bar cart. A pedestal table flanked by a couple of stools won’t take up much room, but still removes those who are eating, drinking, or talking too much from the seating area.

All that’s left is to go crazy with decor. Memorabilia of your favorite flicks, old movie posters, and these colorful favorites work well.

Genre: Suspense/Thriller

Decor: Black + White

Film Inspiration: Psycho, 1960

Focus: Bathroom

Ah yes, Psycho. We couldn’t think of a more iconic thriller than Psycho, and there isn’t a more famous part of that movie than the shower scene. This scene is filmed in black and white, and a black and white bathroom is a classic style we can't get enough of. 

Perhaps it’s the extreme contrast between the two colors. Or maybe it’s the simple sophistication of the look itself. By themselves, the colors are striking, but together, black and white create a dramatic flair that works with almost any design style. It’s a classic.

Get the Look:

To create a black and white bathroom, start with flooring. Create a classic black and white checked arrangement, choose a patterned design, or go with a solid color floor. This will give you a great basis to start creating your space.

Consider a vessel sink in the bathroom to really spotlight either color, or choose a marbled pattern. Black faucets now come in matte black, which is a trend we love. Definitely worth a look. Add accents with traditional or contemporary hardware pieces that can add interest to your cabinets and drawers, while contributing to your classic black and white theme.

To really set the tone in the space, as well as influence other design decisions, choose a deep soaker tub. It’s classic, white, and never goes out of style. (Note: Fake blood spatter shows up great on it.)

Center a chandelier over the space for flair and top it all off with decor to make it your own.

Genre: SciFi

Decor Style: Minimalist

Film Inspiration: Her, 2013; 2001: A Space Odyssey, 1968

Focus: Office/Living Space

Why do filmmakers always assume that our future dwellings will be utilitarian...that our human interactions will be minimal, that our clothes will be downright unflattering? It’s a conundrum. At any rate, in depictions of the future like Her and 2001: A Space Odyssey, furnishings always have a purpose and technology is NOT to be trusted.

While we are hoping the technology part is inaccurate, there is definitely an argument to be made in favor of Minimalist decor. As a design style, Minimalism is very forward-thinking and classic because it doesn’t depend on current trends. The basic guidelines are simple: each item must have a function. Lighting, furnishings, and the space around them are all equally important. Perhaps that is what sets Minimalism apart more than anything: what’s not there is as important as what is.

We kind of love the Minimalist work spaces of Theodore Twombly in Her and David Bowman in 2001: A Space Odyssey. Now those are workspaces with few distractions!

Get the Look:

Technology tucked neatly away, desk swept clean of clutter, even walls free of adornment. This is a minimalist office. But don’t be fooled, everything you need is within reach. Any cabinetry maintains a smooth face with pulls that don’t detract from their simple style. 

Flooring is neutral in color and smooth in texture. Marble, tile, or wood-look is perfect for this decor style.

Remember that although lighting is there to serve its purpose and not to accessorize, this is the one area you may want to show a bit of creativity. Consider modern sconces and chandeliers in linear styles. Pendants with neutral shades also work well. Remember to light the areas that need it most, such as your desk.  

When it comes to furnishings, this style demands more forethought and paring down. You must decide which objects are most important, essential to the design of your space. The result is a living space with carefully-curated objects.

Genre: Musical

Decor Style: Hollywood Regency

Film Inspiration: Chicago, 2002

Focus: Bedroom/Sitting Room

We know Chicago isn’t set in Hollywood. But it’s about showbiz and glitz, glamour, and backstabbing...and that’s just about the same thing. We absolutely love the opulence of the costumes, the over-the-top drama of the story, and the singing...of course, the singing!

The story really begins when Roxie Hart shoots her lover in her boudoir. Of course, Roxie isn’t a star yet and her bedroom is far from glamorous, but she’s got big dreams, baby. We’d like to imagine the the kind of lavish room Roxie would create for herself if she had the time (and wasn’t in prison awaiting trial for murder).

The style thrives on contrasts and statements, making bold use of color to play up the glam. It’s opulent and extravagant, while comfortable and luxurious. Hollywood entertains, and the key to Hollywood Regency style is designing an expressive, unique space. Classic lines fit comfortable furniture and encourage people to visit and socialize, while bold colors and a variety of luxe textures invite you to luxuriate. Clean metal finishes offer shine and style to blend a modern sense with a vintage feel.

Get the Look:

Beginning with the bed, make it over sized, overdone, or luxe. The key here is to show that you’ve made it, you’re a star! Lots of mirrors and mirrored surfaces will work perfectly for frequently admiring your reflection. A dresser for all of your expensive clothing. A dressing table for all the time you’ll spend preparing for posh parties! Of course, the right lighting to flatter you from every angle. We recommend a crystal chandelier, of course!