Interior Ideas to Achieve the Wes Anderson Aesthetic in your Home

Emily Hadley
Apr 25, 2023
3 min read

Wes Anderson is a director known for his distinctive visual style. His films are often set in whimsical, symmetrical worlds with bold colours and playful patterns.

Have you, like me, been obsessively watching those ‘Accidentally Wes Anderson’ Reels on Instagram? I love them and was even inspired to create my own. Watch it here!

It got me thinking… What are the key elements of Wes Anderson set design that can bring a Wes Anderson aesthetic into your own home?

If you're a fan of Anderson's work and would like to bring a touch of his style to your own interiors, here are a few tips:

Choose a memorable colour palette

Anderson's films are known for their bold and saturated colour palettes, from orange in the 'The Royal Tenenbaums' to yellow in ‘Hotel Chevalier’ to tonal turquoise in up & coming film ‘Asteroid City’. He often uses complementary colours in unexpected ways, such as red and purple in The Grand Budapest Hotel.

I am a big fan of the blue and red used in ‘The Life Aquatic’ and have a similar blue on the walls and built-in shelving in my dining room where I also have items in contrasting colours such as red, yellow and green.

When choosing colours for your own home, don't be afraid to experiment. You can use a colour wheel to help you find complementary colours, or you can simply choose colours that you love.

Use symmetrical furniture arrangements

Start by working out what your focal point is going to be. It could be the fireplace, a window or a painting on the wall then build your symmetry from there, for example using matching armchairs, lamps and ornaments.

Add bold wallpaper and playful patterns

Anderson loves to use vintage wallpaper and playful patterns in his films. These elements can add a touch of whimsy and personality to any room. When choosing wallpaper, look for patterns that are both visually interesting and timeless. You can also add playful patterns to your home with throws, pillows, curtains and other accessories.

Display unexpected art

Anderson is a fan of displaying unexpected objects, such as maps, botanical prints, and vintage photographs. This is a great way to add personality and interest to your walls. When choosing art, look for pieces that you love and that reflect your personal style. You can read my blog about sourcing affordable art here.

Incorporate vintage items

Wes Anderson's work is inspired by French films from the 1950's and 60's and there is also a clear nod to the 70's with yellow, brown and orange featuring highly, for example in the offices of 'The French Dispatch'. There is a definite retro feel to his films with their sepia tones and vintage items harmoniously arranged throughout.

These items can add a touch of history and charm to your home. and chosen carefully can say something about you too! When shopping for vintage items, be sure to check out charity or junk shops, antique shops and auctions. You can also find vintage items online for example Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Etsy or Vinterior.

Vintage lighting fixtures, lamps (the more the better) and quirky objects, such as taxidermy animals, globes, and telescopes are good things to keep your eye out for. Also mid-century pieces such as desks, armchairs and plan chests and solid wood furniture with details such as barley twist legs.

Think about the BIG details

Add coving, decorative mouldings or panelling to add character to plain walls. Use encaustic, patterned tiles on the floor and tile walls in vintage metro or patterned tiles.

By following these tips, you can easily bring a touch of Wes Anderson style to your own home. With a little creativity, you can easily create a home that is both stylish and whimsical, just like a Wes Anderson film!