Can We Guess Your Decorating Style Based on Your Favorite Rom-Com? See If We Got It Right

There’s nothing like the mindless nostalgia of watching your favorite rom-com. From classics like When Harry Met Sally to 2010s hits like Crazy, Stupid, Love, a good romantic comedy feels like a warm hug—comforting, safe, and emotionally satisfying. Rewatching your favorite movies can feel like home, so why not let them influence your actual home’s style? In other words, bring some of that comfort and nostalgia from your favorite character’s living room to your own. 

Whether you swoon over glossy Nancy Meyers interiors, a charmingly chaotic city apartment, or warm, lived-in spaces that feel effortlessly inviting, your favorite romantic comedy might be revealing more about your design taste than you realize.

We spoke with two design professionals to learn what your favorite rom-com says about your decorating style, and they didn’t hold back. Here are nine of our favorite classic rom-coms, along with the decor styles that suit them best.

When Harry Met Sally: Classic Transitional

When it comes to rom-coms, When Harry Met Sally set the stage for what the following decades of this genre would bring. According to Marissa Van Noy, an interior designer and co-founder of the design firm Three Golden Cranes, fans of this iconic film are likely drawn to classic transitional interiors. This design style was prevalent in the late 20th century, when the movie is set, and appears throughout the ten-year storyline. Think warm neutrals, real-wood furniture and accents, intricate details, tailored sofas, classic prints, and personalized decor accented with clean lines and modern touches. 

“To bring this look home, start with a neutral foundation and invest in a few quality pieces that feel both classic and current. Pair a traditional wood dining table with modern upholstered chairs, or place a sleek console table beneath a vintage mirror,” Van Noy says.

Stick to furniture in rich materials such as leather or linen, and add warmth and personalization with layered lighting and decor. Thrift stores and antique shops are your best sources for finding unique pieces that add warmth, character, and charm to classic transitional spaces.

“This is a design style that doesn't try too hard but always looks pulled together,” she adds.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding: Maximalism

Released in 2002, My Big Fat Greek Wedding is all about family, culture, and of course—love. Van Noy says maximalism is definitely the style for lovers of this popular rom-com. Picture lots of color, pattern, and texture working together to tell a story and create a space that feels bold and playful yet inviting and sophisticated.

“This style embraces the ‘more is more’ philosophy I love, where every piece has meaning attached,” she says. “Start by creating gallery walls packed with family photos in mismatched frames, and display collections that matter to you with pride.” 

Then, embrace bold colors throughout your space, whether it's on walls or through textiles and decor. Don’t be afraid to mix metals, patterns, or styles as you curate your space—in fact, Van Noy recommends it. When done with intention, mixing and matching can add depth and interest to any interior.

She's the Man: Sporty Prep

Inspired by William Shakespeare’s play Twelfth Night, this classic rom-com is equal parts romance, comedy, and girl power. Since She’s the Man centers on sports, design enthusiast and lifestyle influencer Cassidy Montalvo says sporty, preppy interiors are well-suited to fans of the film.

“I picture stripes, tailored furniture, and gallery-style accent walls. Leather and plaid help balance out the primary color pops, paired with varsity-inspired wall décor for that classic, playful edge,” she says.

Looking for a softer and more approachable look? Perhaps pink stripes and a muted color palette are for you. On the other hand, if moody interiors are your thing, try leaning into darker colors, rich materials, and rough textures. 

Bridget Jones's Diary: British Charm

Based on the novel of the same name, Bridget Jones’s Diary is a modern interpretation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. As such, it’s only fitting that Van Noy says a lived-in, British design style is best for lovers of this 2001 rom-com. 

“To create this look, start by shopping secondhand for vintage furniture with history and personality,” she says. 

Think overstuffed chairs, vintage books, unique decor, mismatched artwork, and more. Incorporate plenty of pillows and throw blankets in various patterns and shapes, and create cozy reading nooks with task lighting. Of course, don’t forget the kettle for tea and the charming teacups displayed proudly in the kitchen. Ultimately, this style is about embracing the idea that your home should look lived in—a space where life actually happens. 

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days: Industrial

A classic Kate Hudson film, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, is one of the many hits of the early 2000s rom-com era. Inspired by Benjamin Barry’s effortlessly cool loft, Van Noy says that if this is your favorite rom-com, the industrial style is for you. However, she notes that it’s a warmed-up, livable version of the industrial style that best captures the movie's vibe. 

To achieve this look at home, start by highlighting natural and rustic materials along with structural elements. Exposed brick, for example, should be the focal point of the space if available. If you don’t have exposed brick, Van Noy recommends adding reclaimed wood accents, such as shelving or a statement coffee table. Metal is prevalent in this style, with steel, iron, aluminum, and copper popular choices for furniture, decor, and lighting. To help balance the raw, structured, and rough-hewn materials and invite comfort and livability, Van Noy says that layering in soft textures and textiles is essential.

“The key is contrast: sleek furniture against textured walls, industrial elements balanced with cozy layers,” she says. 

The Wedding Planner: Romantic Traditional

Another classic early-2000s hit, The Wedding Planner, features Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey at their most endearing. According to Van Noy, fans of this feel-good rom-com are well-suited to the traditional design style—with a romantic twist. 

"If you're drawn to this movie, you appreciate timeless elegance with a soft, feminine touch, and everything being perfectly in its place,” she says. Think, “classic silhouettes, graceful curves, and a color palette of warm neutrals with blush or sage accents.”

The heart of this style is in the details: ornate silhouettes, curved lines, quality craftsmanship, and timeless color palettes. Start by investing in quality furniture, anything with harsh lines and contemporary shapes. Add soft, flowing drapery in natural fabrics and incorporate floral and botanical prints for a romantic edge. Lastly, pay attention to structural details like crown molding, wall panelling, arches, and fireplaces.

27 Dresses: Cottagecore

Sweet, optimistic, and hopelessly romantic are just a few ways to describe this Katherine Heigl classic. For Van Noy, this translates into the soft, romantic aesthetic cottagecore offers—but with an enduringly practical edge. 

“Let's be honest, if you're the type who's been a bridesmaid 27 times, you need a decorating style that's as organized as it is charming,” she jokes. 

So what does that look like, exactly? Picture the charm of cottagecore—soft colors, floral patterns, delicate details—paired with functional furniture and modern storage solutions. A breakfast nook with benches featuring hidden storage. Vintage trunks that double as decor and hidden storage. The options are truly endless!

“Start with a palette of whites, creams, and soft pastels, then add floral patterns through wallpaper, bedding, or curtains. Look for furniture with distressed wood finishes to create a cottage feel. Layer in soft textiles like lace curtains or quilted throws, and add table lamps with pretty fabric shades for warm lighting,” she says. 

The Proposal: Rustic Lakehouse

“If this is your favorite, you're drawn to the beauty of that stunning Alaska family home: the way it embraces the landscape and brings the outdoors in,” says Van Noy.

Naturally, a rustic lakehouse style is the obvious choice for fans of The Proposal. To achieve this look, prioritize natural materials. Plenty of real wood, stone accents, and greenery characterize this style. Think exposed beams, wood paneling, furniture, and floors. Stone fireplaces and decorative accents (such as bowls or natural stone coasters) are also a great fit.

And don’t forget about textiles! Natural materials like linen, cotton, and wool are essential picks. Lastly, stick to a color palette inspired by nature, and don’t be afraid to bring in some real greenery to literally bring the outdoors in.

Crazy, Stupid, Love: Contemporary

Does anything beat that steamy Dirty Dancing lift scene? We think not! Crazy, Stupid, Love features a lot of different design aesthetics, but it’s Jacob’s stunning contemporary home that really stands out. As such, we predict that fans of this movie should consider contemporary design for their home. 

Jacob’s skyline residence is an example of contemporary design at its most luxurious, but you don’t need sweeping views of the Hollywood Hills to bring this sleek style to your home. Contemporary style emphasizes minimalism, clean lines, reflective surfaces, and restrained color palettes. That said, this style is anything but cold. In place of excess ornamentation, texture and contrast take center stage to create depth and interest.