2025's Oscar-Nominated Movies, but as Interiors — Design Lessons From This Year's Most Stylized Films

Awards season is in full swing. As a part-time movie lover and full-time interior design enthusiast, I can’t help but draw connections between the aesthetics of Oscar-nominated films and the moods that are inspiring home design right now — from prominent colors or textures to the underlying moods.

And I'm in good company here at Livingetc. We all live and breathe design, and take any excuse to connect it back to the goings-on of life. Whether it's finding rom-com décor inspired by our favorite movies, or identifying homes that look like they belong to a James Bond villain, we know that the silver screen is always impacting interior design trends, and vice versa.

So, this awards season recognized some powerhouse movies that had me thinking: what would these films look like as interiors? Focusing on the colors, materials, and mood, I've matched three films to stylish interiors, from the dark and frightening Nosferatu to the artistic and nostalgic A Complete Unknown.

Here's what these films tell us about interior design.

Darkness Has an Attractive Allure

Nosferatu is one of the top horror films of the year, filled with dark desires and formidable terror. Throughout the film, the audience is introduced to different settings, from Orlok's intimidating castle to the cold and disease-ridden town of Wisborg. While terrifying and sinister, I couldn't help but feel this strange allure to the production's somber and chilling set design.

But, when I thought about it, I knew exactly why I felt that way. In interiors, dark color schemes or home décor can make a space feel hauntingly beautiful and, in a way, somewhat comforting. Colors like black and gray don't need to be overwhelming. Rather, their boldness can add intrigue and uniqueness to a space, giving it a sophisticated elegance.

Glamor Has Depth

While Sean Baker’s Anora follows the tumultuous relationship between an exotic dancer and the son of a wealthy Russian oligarch, I was following the glamorous and contemporary set design that featured throughout the film. There's somewhat of a dichotomy between the cold opulence of some sets like Vanya's Brooklyn mansion, and the lavish richness of the Vegas scenes, and the interior of Ani's club. So while some argue the characters in Anora lack depth, I'd argue it's all made up for in scenery.

While I was dazzled by the bright lighting throughout the film and its link to the recently 'strategic neon' interior trend, I couldn't help but feel captivated by the lush and sumptuous settings, as well as symbolic prominence of red throughout the film. This helped me envision this movie as an interior space that feels luxurious through fabrics like velvet, and simultaneously moody which could be translated into color drenching spaces in shades of red, dark pink, or purple.

3. The Past Is Always Present

A Complete Unknown transports us back in time through its set design, in spaces like Bob's small apartment as well as the spirited streets of New York. Each set reflects the artistic nature of the film and gave me a strong sense of nostalgia.

And this return to nostalgia is running strong in the design world, too, at the moment, as it just so happens that old-school interior design is all anyone seems to want these days. From modern retro interiors to wood drenching and mid-century modern homes, the desire for the past is becoming the hottest topic in the present.

That's just how I envision an interior inspired by A Complete Unknown — characterized by warm wood features, organically shaped décor, vintage-inspired furniture, and an underlying yearning for the styles of yesteryear.