How To Decorate Your House Like Bridget Jones's Diary

Besides being comfy, pillows on the couch can be a lovely design element. As Supreme Accents points out, throw pillows are a way to accessorize your furniture. Approach this the same way you would get dressed to go out. You might pair gold or silver jewelry with a little black dress. Think the same way about your couch. Pair bright, bold cushions with your neutral-colored furniture.

Don't be afraid to apply the reverse principle here. If your couches are bold colors, try pairing them with neutral-toned pillows. If you have lively shades like yellow, orange, or turquoise, consider pillows in gray, tan, or patterns in cream. Even the contrasting elements could be enough. Have an aqua couch? Try adding gray pillows with bright blue dots. Lime green sofa? Consider lime and cream-striped pillows.

Some other things to keep in mind are choosing different shapes, sizes, and textures for visual appeal (via Style by Emily Henderson). You should pick colors that complement one another but consider patterns in different sizes. If you use multiple colors, spread them out around the couch or other furniture to avoid too much of one color in the same area.

The brown walls in Bridget's living room create a warm environment, but so does the lighting. The lack thereof might be a better description. Dim lights and a fireplace in the living room create a warm and cozy atmosphere.

There are several things to consider if you're trying to recreate this look in your own home. First, Inviting Home explains that low lighting promotes relaxation and restfulness. But remember that lighting can be hard, and you want to go with soft options to achieve a restful atmosphere. The color of your lampshades can also make a difference in how your lighting appears. Like glasses, rose-tinted lampshades can make things easier on the eyes. Orange, amber, and yellow also create warmth.

A fireplace like Bridget's also contributes to this look. But they can be a lot of work and upkeep. One way around this is to choose a fireplace insert. These fit directly into your existing fireplace but are gas-operated (via Vertical Chimney). And unlike when they were first introduced, inserts are now safer and capable of heating your whole room.

If you follow home trends, you already know that open shelves are back in style. This minimalist look is becoming more popular as people look for ways to scale back. And according to Maple + Main, modern times and pandemic lockdowns have made people appreciate the things they have and want to use them instead of saving them for a special occasion.

This can be a challenging look, and Bridget just manages to pull it off. You can easily overwhelm the space by overfilling your shelves. Things to consider include accessibility and space. Things you use often should be easy to get to, but don't overcrowd your shelves. Make a conscious effort to leave some blank space between items.

You may also want to steer clear of things that collect dust easily. One negative of not having doors on your cabinets is that your items are exposed to the elements. Another thing to remember when planning what to put on your shelves is color and texture (via Josie Michelle Davis). Don't aim for perfection, as it doesn't mesh well with an open-shelving style. Loosely plan your organization and keep similar colors together. Don't pair one bright color with all neutrals or vice versa.

This pretty closely relates to the warm or ambient lighting category. You'll notice there are bookshelves all over Bridget's flat. What books she keeps on them depends on where she is in the process of her singlehood. There are books on attracting men at one point, while at others, they are about how much better it is living without them. But they are always full and adorned with knick-knacks.

In this case, however, it isn't just that the lighting is dim that creates the warm atmosphere. It's the fixtures themselves, which are made of brass. This warm metal is reflected in the soft light, creating a pleasant, welcoming atmosphere. One King's Lane suggests using less-traditional approaches when designing your bookcases, especially if you have a collection the size of Bridget's. 

Consider stacking your books horizontally rather than vertically. You could also add art or décor pieces in front of, around, or between your books. Organize your existing books by color or select ones to create a color-specific theme. Sconces would also make a nice addition, preferably brass ones, if you are trying to recreate Bridget's look. Avoid the old-school polished brass and choose matte, satin, or natural finishes to create a modern, warm vibe in your home (via Lights Online).

Maybe no part of Bridget's décor stands out like the stairs leading into her apartment from the door. There are so many style elements to consider here. The first is that gorgeous stained glass window that lets in tons of light and illuminates that collage of retro wall prints on the adjacent wall.

Cumberland Stained Glass recommends using white trim around your stained glass to make it stand out more. And while they suggest using minimalist design elements with stained glass, we think they would approve of Bridget's design choices. Her stained-glass window's location allows natural light to enter where it wouldn't otherwise. And some of the colors in the stained glass are mirrored in the retro art collage.

If you can't find the Andy Warhol-type pop art prints on the back wall in Bridget's stairwell, you can find wallpaper replicating this look (via Spoonflower). This also saves you the work of creating a collage of retro prints to cover your wall. Invest in a sheet of wallpaper with this print style, and put it up to create an accent wall.

Another fun way to dress up your home is with polka dots. Bridget has incorporated this look into her kitchen with the wallpaper, but there are other ways to add it to your space. Visual Hunt lists curtains, wallpaper, decals, pillows, paint, and decals as ways to add polka dots. They also point out that polka dots are a perfect style element for minimalists. You can find them in large and small designs and just about every color.

This is good news because you can use polka dots with any interior decorating style. For instance, small polka dots in black and white work in a Scandinavian style, while large, bright dots create a more playful version.

Polka dots also "bring an element of movement and texture to a room," according to Angie Socias, founder of Coppel Design in Los Angeles (via Mansion Global). They can be playful or sophisticated, depending on the size and color of your polka dots and the background they appear on. Larger dots are more whimsical, while smaller ones are more refined.

Your furniture doesn't have to match to go together. You can combine different colors, styles, textures, and upholstery types. But there are some things to remember if you choose this route. Pretty Purple Door says to keep your furniture height and depth similar across all pieces of furniture. You need the people using them to feel as though they are on the same level, literally, if not metaphorically.

You should also look for additional similarities between your pieces. Consider shape, style, color, or type of upholstery.

One thing to avoid is mixing too many patterns, though you should consider using more than one (via Casa One). Also, keep the 80/20 rule in mind. Choose a star and a supporting cast with your furniture and design pieces. Whatever you choose as the starring style should make up 80 percent of the room's furniture and décor.