We asked some of our favorite designers to share which TV home elements they love, and where they’ve found surprise inspiration during their Netflix binges. Emma Sims Hilditch of Sims Hilditch Designs agrees, noting that it’s these small elements that can truly make or break the believability of a set. “Designers love to see interiors which, although fictional for the screen, still reflect the perceived surroundings of the property. If a home is by the sea, it’s nice to see little coastal touches placed throughout the home which nod to this.” “I feel like Grace hired a really great interior designer to do the space,” Donato adds. “It’s a great mixture of blues, whites, creams, wicker, natural wood, rattan, and little pops of color like orange throw pillows. I also like that while it is a beach house, they don’t go over the top with beach-themed decor.” In fact, Hughes has used similar methods in real-life designs, specifically citing the zoning via area rugs, which “I find works well in small open-plan style homes.” But the true secret to its visual success is showing a family home that doesn’t scream KIDS LIVE HERE. “The artwork they use on the set is so beautiful, too,” Donato says. “[And] I loved the one season where they remodeled their kitchen and made it more modern with darker cabinets and dark chairs around the kitchen island. That has inspired me to think about updating my kitchen.” She had a similar thought while watching Black-ish. “They have a neutral color on their walls in the kitchen/living room space and then a blue color that pops on the back of their built-in shelves,” she says. “I plan to put a blue color on the back of my built-in shelves—it adds so much interest!” But it’s not just fictional TV homes that show us fun pops of color—reality TV can inspire, too. Aino Heinäsuo, Interior Designer, Architect, and Game Artist for the popular design game Redecor, cites the hotel from The Circle, a reality competition series. “In this series, the rooms are super colorful and have interesting furniture choices that catch the eye,” she says. “They are really fresh and bold. I think people would love to have something similar to their own homes. Colors are definitely coming back!” For this particular space, Aino noted that it’s all in the details. “It has some super cool industrial-style pendant lights and open-beam ceilings. Also, the huge windows play a big part in how the apartment feels.” Because the space is so open, the layout is also key. “The sofa is smartly located in the middle of the room, and it’s surrounded by a low bookshelf—this separates the dining and living areas,” Heinäsuo says. “Also, the furniture seems to be well-sized compared to the rest of the room. The room is cozy and doesn’t feel too empty, which can often happen when decorating larger rooms. I’d happily see myself living in this apartment!” “From a design perspective, both the palette and the furniture of this room are on point," Fava says. “The furniture selections exhibit classic lines, and the warm walnut accents are very much en vogue.” “The client [based in Ruxton, MD] loves the show and wanted her living room designed with this room in mind,” he says. “Like the inspiration room, we kept the color palette neutral using soft tones with just a hint of color on some key pieces. The silk tie-backs at the window are simple, chic, and luxurious. Soft metals adorn the cocktail tables and we added a sparkling crystal chandelier for a hint of glamour. To complete the look, we added over-scaled painted wood moldings for added detail.”
