Ask top interior designers around the world where they find inspiration for their work and many will answer: film. From set decoration and lighting to costumes and camera angles, the movies convey atmosphere and sense of place like no other art form. As design becomes ever more experiential, what could be a more inspiring muse than film?
While architecture and interiors featured in the movies are a natural source of inspiration for designers, oftentimes what catches their eyes and influences their creativity is much more subtle: a color here, a texture there. “Film has always been a profound source of inspiration for me as a designer, not just for the interiors they showcase but for the way they create atmosphere, tell stories, and evoke emotion,” says Blaire Moore of Moore House Design in New England. “We find ourselves drawn to films that balance elegance with depth, where every setting feels like a character in its own right.”
Here are the 27 movies interior designers turn to time and again for inspiration. Consider this list required watching for all design lovers!
Dial M For Murder (1954)
Pennsylvania-based Maria Viola-Kuttruff is endlessly inspired by the interiors in Dial M for Murder, starring Grace Kelly. “It takes place in a wonderful, high ceiling London apartment. The mouldings around the doorways, fireplace and bookcase are a beautiful representation of classic elements that we try to incorporate into our projects whenever we are able,” she says.
Viola-Kuttruff further notes that, “the furnishings and fabrics are fabulous: a lush velvet-silk wing chair where the murderous husband plots, the floral pattern on the settee where the lovers sip martinis, the jade ceramic lamp that illuminates the different facial expressions, and the double height-window panels where the murderer hides. It’s all amazing!”
Dial M for Murder
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
“The Tenenbaum house is a prime example of visual story telling similar to our job as designers, with every decision meticulously thought through and balanced. The design captures a timeless, vintage aesthetic that is so desirable,” says South Carolina-based Louise Hane. “The abundance of vintage books, unique furniture, and carefully selected accessories create a rich, layered visual texture and story that I love to see in my clients homes. And I love how its beautifully curated color schemes and the detail of each character’s space reflects his or her personality.”
The Royal Tenenbaums
Marie Antoinette (2006)
“The fashion and interiors at Versailles generate boundless inspiration—be it for scale, layering of patterns, selecting a color palette (like the breathtaking combination of pinks and blues in the opening scene), or simply what pastries to serve at your next soiree. I’ve probably watched it twenty times and am still discovering little jewels throughout the interiors,” says Katie Wolf of Atlanta. “I was recently given a copy of Soffia Coppola Archive and I keep it in the office. The images from her other movies like The Virgin Suicides (1999) and Priscilla (2023) are equally inspirational. Come to think of it, those deserve a re-watch!”
Kate O’Hara, of O’Hara Interiors adds, “Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette is my guilty pleasure design movie. The pastel-drenched decadence, the over-the-top textiles, the interiors that are somehow both impossibly grand and totally irreverent? It’s a reminder that great design should have a little fun—and maybe a little cake.”
Marie Antoinette
Auntie Mame (1958)
“I always find myself coming back to Auntie Mame,” says Houston-based Benjamin Johnston. “It’s truly a masterclass in how interiors can tell a story, evolve over time, and celebrate the art of living boldly. From the moment Mame Dennis flings open the doors to her Beekman Place apartment, it’s clear that her home is an extension of her personality and ever-changing lifestyle. Each scene reveals a new iteration of her space, proving that great design is never static: it grows, adapts, and reflects the life being lived within.”
Toronto-based Colette van den Thillart adds, “The main character is the ultimate model for how to live the big life! She’s got moxie in spades and redecorates as a form of self care— my kinda girl. And the sets by George James Hopkins are heaven.”
Auntie Mame
Great Expectations (1998)
“The 1998 version of Great Expectations has inspired me as a designer since before I was actually a designer. The mossy green hues are so thoroughly woven throughout the film that the color itself became one of the lead characters. Symbolizing the connection to nature, obsession (or envy), and the hope of new beginnings, green’s role in the film shows just how powerful a color palette can be in conveying emotion,” says Connecticut-based Judith Heimowitz. “Not to mention, this iconic story was beautifully portrayed by Gwenyth Paltrow and Ethan Hawk—two ’90s heartthrobs—and set in a mysterious and dramatic mansion. I ogled at the architecture in the film!”
Great Expectations
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
“It all starts with The Wizard of Oz doesn’t it? What 5-year-old budding interior designer doesn’t get a thrill when it’s suddenly in color and you’re inside The Emerald City?!,” says New York-based Darren Hennault.
The Wizard of Oz
Halston (2019)
“I love the monochromatic interiors (his red office!) paired with luxurious fabrics,” says Courtney Hill Fertitta, of Houston. “I appreciate the simple approach with special attention directed to decorative lighting. His goal was to flatter the occupants in the room. This focus on not just the design of a room itself but the impact it has on those in it resonates deeply with me.”
Halston
Coraline (2009)
“The movie Coraline profoundly inspired me as an interior designer through its imaginative use of color, texture, and whimsical design elements. The film’s alternate world showcases a rich palette and intricate details that create a captivating atmosphere. The contrast between Coraline’s dull reality and the vibrant, surreal Other World emphasizes the power of design in evoking emotions and storytelling,” says Miami-based Brittany Farinas. “This visual storytelling motivates me to infuse creativity and fantasy into my own projects, encouraging me to explore unconventional materials and bold aesthetics that transform spaces into enchanting experiences.”
Coraline
Charade (1963)
“The comedic mystery Charade always hits the mark for me. It perfectly encapsulates the essence of Paris in the 1960s through architecture, fashion and decor,” says Lisa Simopoulos of Northern California. “Starring Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant, the film showcases so much of Paris design—from carved wood doors and the Comedie-Francaise theater with its gold and deep red interior to even the Metro, with its white subway tiles that still define the underground today—that has all somehow stood the test of time.”
Charade
The Proposal (2009)
“If I had to pick a movie, I would say The Proposal with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds. The home where they stay is incredible with cedar shingles and stone on the exterior and beautiful woodwork throughout—as is the landscape. It makes me want to go to Alaska and design a home there,” says Alex Thies, of Bonita Springs, FL. “It’s also such a funny movie—you can’t go wrong with anything with Betty White!”
The Proposal
Something’s Gotta Give (2003)
“I love Something’s Gotta Give, featuring Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton. Her waterfront home in the film is simply timeless—chic, with an abundance of natural light and breathtaking views,” says Birmingham-based Dana Wolter. “It’s easy to see how, as a writer, she would find this environment conducive to creativity.”
Something’s Gotta Give
A Single Man (2009)
“Tom Ford’s A Single Man is a film that whenever the final credits start rolling, I think to myself: ‘No, I don’t want to leave this world!’” says Santa Fe-based Melinda Browning. “The John Lautner structure which serves as Colin Firth’s character’s home is to me just the perfect example of mid-century Los Angeles architecture. Every scene is filmed with such intention, and you feel drawn completely into the world of Firth’s character. I also love the contrast of the quite masculine Lautner house against the Julianne Moore character’s very feminine, chic, Hollywood regency residence.”
A Single Man
Gone With the Wind (1939)
“I’ve been captivated by Gone With the Wind since the very first time I saw it. Tara’s influence continues to inspire me, and the idea of personifying a home has shaped my approach to design,” says Meg Lonergan, of Houston. “Tara, with her grand staircase and striking white columns, symbolizes the unbreakable vow to protect one’s house, no matter the cost. The profound love Scarlett feels for it is contagious and inspiring, a powerful reminder of the deep, almost magnetic connection we can form with our homes. Isn’t that the kind of passion and devotion we all aspire to feel for the spaces we call our own?”
Gone With The Wind
Roma (2018)
“Every time I watch Roma (2018), directed by Alfonso Cuarón, I discover a new design detail that inspires me. The film’s black-and-white cinematography removes the distraction of color, allowing textures, materials, and lighting to take center stage. This absence of color sharpens the viewer’s focus on architectural elements, the interplay of light and shadow, and the beauty of everyday objects, revealing their depth and significance in a way that might otherwise go unnoticed,” says Regan Billingsley of Washington, DC and Naples, FL.
“I am drawn to the movie’s monochromatic palette, which complements its vintage design aesthetic and is enriched with personal details. This combination highlights the beauty of everyday life and the elegance of simple, functional objects,” observes Billingsley. “In interior design, this translates to choices that emphasize quality craftsmanship, handmade pieces, and a focus on authenticity and purpose over mass-produced décor.”
Roma
Out of Africa (1985)
“I love Out of Africa,” says Blaire Moore of Moore House Design. “It holds a different kind of inspiration: romantic, rugged, and deeply connected to nature—mirroring our love for organic materials and timeless, storied pieces.”
Out of Africa
Pride & Prejudice (2005)
“Pride and Prejudice is a big one for me,” says Philadelphia-based Nicole Cole. “From the gorgeous historic interiors in soft muted colors to the scenes set out in nature and the gardens, I just love thinking about all of it and how it applies to interiors.”
Pride and Prejudice
Rebecca (1940)
“I love Hitchcock’s Rebecca,” says Nashville-based Roger Higgins. “The atmosphere of the Manderley estate, particularly Rebecca’s bedroom with its grand four-poster bed draped in fabric and surrounded by antique furnishings, is exquisite.”
Generic Rebecca (1940) Drama, Film-Noir, Mystery DVD
The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
“Most of The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) unfolds in sun-drenched Italy, immersing us in interiors that exude effortless Mediterranean elegance. Earthy tones, vintage furniture, handcrafted ceramics, terracotta floors, and billowing linens create a sense of timeless sophistication,” says James Dolenc of Chicago’s James Thomas Interiors. “The film’s aesthetic—both aspirational and lived-in—has had a lasting influence on interior design, inspiring a love for patina, artisanal craftsmanship, and the understated luxury of coastal Italian living. It’s the kind of setting that makes you want to put down your phone and book a flight to Sorrento immediately!”
The Talented Mr. Ripley
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Actor Henry Thomas in a scene from the film E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
“Hands down, the home in E.T. has inspired me most as a designer. It’s not beautiful, but it’s memorable in that ‘I-can’t-put-a-finger-on-it’ way. I love it because it perfectly reflects the Taylor family who live in the house and their stages in life, which is always our goal when designing,” says Connecticut-based Jeanne Barber. “Who doesn’t remember the scene with all the boys clustered on a dining bench under a Tiffany light waiting to be fed? Or the louvered, bifold doors behind which E.T. hides? Or Elliott’s messy desk and fish tank? A home that reflects the people who live there ultimately wins the day in my book. No one could ever accuse it of being ‘cookie cutter.’”
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
Grey Gardens (1975)
“Ever since I first saw Grey Gardens, I have fantasized about how I would restore that beautiful, but neglected home to its former glory. I was so drawn to a home with beautiful bones gone wrong, and in my own work I continue to be drawn to homes with history, character, and stories,” says Amy Sklar, of Los Angeles. “It can be very scary to look at a project or home that is teetering on the edge of habitability, but the construction, the details, the craftsmanship is so hard to come by today and worth attempting to preserve. With Instagram accounts like Cheap Old Houses, the passion and obsession can continue.” (P.S.- Tour the glam restoration of the Grey Gardens house here!)
Grey Gardens
The Intern (2015)
“The movie The Intern served as a small source of inspiration for our studio space build-out,” says Chicago-based Brynn Olson. “We loved the open office concept highlighted in the film, featuring steel and glass partition doors and room dividers. The exposed brick and large-scale windows were also key sources of inspiration for the space, which was once an old factory. The main character’s Brooklyn home, as seen in the film, is also gorgeous.”
The Intern
Everything, Everywhere, All At Once (2022)
“There is something about the idea of alternate universes that is so intriguing. And of course, that absolutely applies to interior design,” says San Francisco-based Alicia Cheung. “From a visual cinematic perspective, I also like Everything Everywhere All at Once for its ‘real world’ feel.”
Everything Everywhere All At Once
Indochine (1992)
“My perception of red and white toile de jouy was forever changed when I saw Indochine with Catherine Deneuve. What was before to me a preppy, summery print is now ethereal and sophisticated,” says New York and Houston-based Catherine Olasky. “I also love the gauzy fabrics, fans, and shutters designed to cope with the oppressive heat and humidity of 1930s and 40s Vietnam.”
“Indochine is visually stunning and endlessly inspiring, both in its landscapes and in its period-perfect settings and costumes,” adds Suzanne Tucker of California. I’ve incorporated a lot of that look into my interiors with laser cut grilles, lacquers, and chinoiserie.”
Indochine
Little Women (1994)
“I watch Little Women with Winona Ryder on repeat,’ says Houston-based Ashley Holden. “The American colonial interiors of the March sisters demonstrate that whatever one’s station is in life, one can live beautifully.”
Little Women
North by Northwest (1959)
“I love North by Northwest for the glamour balanced with the earthiness of the home featured in it,” says Lisa Schmitz, of Kansas City. “I love the natural materials used in very simple ways, which was a stark contrast to the traditional homes that I grew up in. There are warm textures galore—anything from fur to stone—but all done in very simple manners.”
North By Northwest
Hugo (2011)
“Hugo has had a profound influence on my design approach,” says Athens, Georgia-based Lisa Ellis. “In fact, I’m currently designing a media studio tucked in an attic, and drawing directly from Hugo’s train station residence—a space that feels like Musée d’Orsay-meets-a child’s fantastical attic fort. We will capture and blend the feeling of nostalgia, grandeur and whimsy in our client’s creative space.”
Hugo
It’s Complicated (2009)
“I’m particularly captivated by the 2009 movie’s kitchen and the exterior of the house,” says Birmingham-based Dana Wolter. “As someone who enjoys gardening and cultivating my own food, I admire how the main character holds a similar appreciation for these pursuits.”
It’s Complicated
Steele Thomas Marcoux is the editor in chief of VERANDA, where she oversees brand strategy and content across all platforms and manages a team of editors and writers. She also writes about architecture, design, travel, jewelry, and gardening. Prior to joining VERANDA in 2018, Steele held editorial leadership roles at national design and lifestyle brands for over ten years. She has also worked as a freelance writer on articles ranging from celebrity profiles and gift guides to food and beverage trends. Steele has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Williams College (art history) and a Master of Arts degree from University of Alabama (American history). When not working, Steele can be found cooking for her family, cheering her sons on at cross country meets, soccer games, or lacrosse tournaments, playing with her dogs, planning her next design-oriented trip, or trying to find a way to squeeze in a few more minutes on a tennis court. Follow her at @steelemarcoux.
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