One of the key components of a hit series is making the characters’ homes, workplaces, and weekend spots as believable as possible. With careful planning and meticulous attention to detail, set designers work alongside costume departments and directors to create an aesthetic that results in the show's signature look, which viewers come to know and love.
So it’s not surprising that popular Netflix set designs influence our tastes and stylistic choices when it comes to interior design, too. To help you bring the decor styles from your favorite TV shows to life in your own home, interior and set design expert Lau Wlasenkov paired recognizable pieces from six popular Netflix shows with wallet-friendly alternatives.
Follow this guide to learn how to recreate the signature design styles of six smash-hit Netflix shows in your home without breaking the bank.
“The Politician” follows the life of Payton Hobart, an overachiever whose dream since childhood has been to become president. Set in the affluent neighborhood of Santa Barbara, understand Hobart’s life through the featured Spanish Colonial mansion homes and lavish interiors. And when it comes to the teenager’s bedroom, gone are the posters, PlayStations, and piles of dirty laundry you might normally expect from a high schooler. Payton’s room draws inspiration from the very place he’s hoping to end up—the White House.
Click the arrows to see the original room and the 'recreated on a budget' version:
Create sections within the room: Create a space that not only functions as a bedroom, but also as a place where you can relax on the couch, indulge in conversation, or enjoy a game of chess.
Choose a statement furniture piece: A canopy bed with a textured headboard will act as a statement in any room.
Prioritize symmetry: Try mirroring the accessories on either side of the bed, such as lamps and bedside tables.
Opt for traditional furniture: A high-back chair, round armrests, and classic upholstery will combine a traditional look with a cozy feel.
Add personality without creating clutter: Display a few of your favorite person items like your favorite framed artwork or follow Payton’s love of bound editions of well-known books.
“Russian Doll” is a comedy-drama with a topsy-turvy storyline. The popular Netflix show follows Nadia, who dies on the night of her birthday party before waking up, reliving the same day, and dying. Again and again.
Within a sea of increasing variables, Nadia’s close friend Maxine provides one of the show’s few constants. Like many artists' abodes, Maxine has decorated her apartment with an array of unique pieces that contribute to a maximalist design. The busy aesthetic of Maxine and Nadia’s spaces ties together the show's Groundhog Day narrative.
Click the arrows to see the original room and the 'recreated on a budget' version:
Start with a centerpiece: Build the look around a rustic kitchen island or industrial breakfast bar to act as the room’s centerpiece.
Embrace raw elements: Incorporate natural elements like brick work, plain tiles, stone and concrete floors.
Use a neutral color palette: A neutral color palette is an essential part of this look, so find ways to feature white, black, gray, and brown hues.
Opt for industrial light fittings: To illuminate this type of room, use enamel lighting and other kitchen light fittings. This step will add warmth to the industrial-style space.
Add a statement rug: Add a punch of color and pattern with a statement-making rug.
“The Queen’s Gambit” took the small screen by storm thanks to its captivating storyline, award-winning acting, and visually striking set design. With the narrative unfolding across the 1950s and 1960s and locations, spanning from suburban America to Paris, this Netflix series provides a veritable visual feast for its audience.
One of the most iconic sets in the show is the home of the lead character, Beth’s adoptive mother, Alma Wheatley. Alma’s home is a mid-century maximalist oasis, somewhat a reflection of her chaotic life. The array of bold colors, mish-mash patterns, and mid-century pieces capture the design style of the time and Alma’s personality.
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Focus on form and functionality: Ensure that your home’s furniture holds a purpose and boasts clean lines. Apply this mentality to choosing end tables, coffee tables, plant stands, and more.
Play with color: Mid-century color palettes typically range from bright hues in the 1950s to warmer earthy tones in the 1960s, leaving plenty of room for flexibility. Don’t be afraid to add pops of color to your room design.
Add a touch of abstract art: Abstract, asymmetrical, and geometric designs are a key element of this design style. Seek out accent wallpapers, rugs, or paintings with bold and quirky designs.
Use warm woods: Warm-toned woods like cherry, mahogany, and walnut are a staple feature in mid-century modern design. Consider using these materials in everything from feature walls to hardwood flooring.
Experiment with materials: From upholstery to trinkets, don’t be afraid to play with materials. You can use materials like glass, metal, and plastic to offset wooden tones and textures around the house.
Few mom characters featured in coming-of-age dramas ooze class as much as Jean Millburn in “Sex Education.” Unless, of course, you are her angsty adolescent son, Otis, who is mortified by her sheer existence.
Jean has a cool and stylish demeanor, and her aura is reflected through her home design, particularly her bedroom, which radiates a sense of carefree curation and effortless execution. The bedroom was created to show Jean’s lived experience of a lifetime spent adding and finessing the style of her home.
Click the arrows to see the original room and the 'recreated on a budget' version:
Pick a theme, color, or pattern: Choose one design aspect to build your room around, such as an accented pattern or a feature wall.
Experiment with mixing prints, patterns, and textures: The “Sex Education” interior look is all about blending different styles and motifs together to create a unique aesthetic.
Combine decor from different time periods: Don’t worry about combining styles from different eras—you can pair vintage furniture pieces with minimalist art.
Incorporate a few statement objects: A bold statement object, such as velvet furniture or a funky area rug, can bring the look of a room together. Consider reupholstering an outdated furniture piece to make it the star of your room.
Avoid clutter: Adding too many items to a room can veer away from maximalism and toward clutter. That’s why it’s important to be selective about the pieces you choose to display in each room.
The Netflix show “Dynasty” follows two wealthy families, the Carringtons and the Colbys, as they wrestle for the fortune and power of their family companies. So, naturally, set designers had to create offices to emphasize the importance of wealth and work in the show. But one office has an interior design that fans are eager to recreate.
The office at the Carrington estate is large and luxurious. Boasting a fireplace and a chandelier, it takes the term “home office” to new heights. There are a few single-seater leather sofas and a large black leather comfy chair, providing plenty of spots to talk business.
Click the arrows to see the original room and the 'recreated on a budget' version:
Consider your color scheme: Metallic hues are the essence of timeless luxury (think “Great Gatsby”). While warm, earthy tones can create a cozy atmosphere that boasts serenity, and opulence.
Invest in rich materials and textures: The key to opulent design is quality materials. Consider outfitting your room with marble or granite, fine woods, handmade tile and stone, silks and brocades.
Install luxurious lighting: While chandeliers can add a grandiose feel, incorporating modern light fixtures can also double as an opulent decor element.
Add porcelain: Porcelain decor pieces and accessories can lend an air of opulence to a room’s decor. Consider incorporating this material through patterned bowls, jars, vases, and lamps.
Incorporate your unique flair: Every homeowner has different tastes that should shine through in their interiors. One-off and custom pieces will ensure that no one can replicate your style.
The open floor plan in the lake house featured in the Netflix show “Ozark” has seen its fair share of high-stakes drama. In fact, several tense family meals have taken place at the iconic long dining table.
Part of the dramatic essence captured in this room is thanks to its dark lighting and wrap-around windows, which add to the tension as uninvited characters approach. The interior is surrounded by a series of partitions and corridors, leaving ample room for intruders to lurk.
The open-plan dining room has another person to thank for its creation. Architect and household name, Frank Lloyd Wright, was one of the early advocates for open plan design in houses, expanding on the ideas of Charles and Henry Greene and shingle-style architecture. Wright's designs were based on a centralized kitchen open to other public spaces of the home, and are reflected in the moody dining area set in “Ozark.”
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Determine the room’s purpose: The benefit of an open floor plan is that the space is multi-functional, but it’s important to determine its primary purpose to avoid overloading it. Assess your wants and needs for the room and build the space around that.
Cohesion is key: To keep a consistent feel, use the same flooring and similar colors and textures throughout the room.
Create zoned spaces: You can create zones within the open floor plan by using room dividers or sectional rugs. This step will help designate the purpose of each section.
Add large furniture: Use large furniture items, such as bookcases, cabinets, and positioned chairs, to break up the open space. This step will create different zones without making the space feel closed in.
Let natural light in: Highlight your living or dining room’s windows by adding window treatments that allow light to stream in during the day and close for privacy at night.
