How To Decorate Your Home Like The Movie Steel Magnolias

The wraparound porch might be the first thing you notice about the house in "Steel Magnolias," outside of its size and brick exterior. It certainly adds charm to the house in its current state as a bed and breakfast. Unfortunately, it also might be one of the more challenging things to add to your home if you don't already have one.

As Upgraded Home points out, one of the first things to consider is the location of your wraparound porch. It can go in the front or back of your house. You want to make sure it doesn't interrupt the flow of things on the interior of your home. You'll also want to consider if your new porch's placement will block the sunlight from entering your home.

Once you've confirmed you won't unnecessarily darken other parts of your home, you can get a permit, make your measurements, and pour the concrete footers. Lay gravel between the footers, and install your deck framing and joists. You will need much more structure on the corner where the back or front porch meets the side, so plan accordingly. Finally, lay your deck, install it securely, and add your porch's roof. Then, enjoy endless days in your new breezy hangout. 

According to One King's Lane, you can use chandeliers in every room of your house. And the "Steel Magnolias" house certainly puts this theory to the test. Entryways are traditional places to hang them, but they work equally well in living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms. They can also help elevate the mood and style in bedrooms and bathrooms.

One thing to consider when buying a chandelier is determining the right size and height. The biggest mistake people make when selecting a chandelier is going too small (via Atta Girl). Another big mistake? Choosing a chandelier that is too tall or too short for the height of your ceilings.

When determining the right size for your chandelier, there is a formula you can use. Add the length of the room in feet to the width of the room in feet. This total number will give you the minimum chandelier diameter in inches. Be careful not to hang your chandeliers any lower than seven feet from the floor to allow people of varying heights to pass beneath them. Go for a chandelier with multiple tiers if you're decorating a foyer or two-story room. But make sure the bottom of your chandelier hangs no lower than the second story of your room.

According to Front Porch Ideas and More, rocking chairs are a classic American decoration. They've been featured in dozens of movies and add charm and character to your home. And they come in many different styles, designs, and materials. The traditional version, of course, is made of wood. But wicker and rattan options are also popular. Metal chairs are also beautiful, durable, and work well with other materials you may use on your porch.

Adding seat cushions to your rockers makes them extra comfortable (via Bustling Nest). And using the rule of three to decorate will make contribute even more to your exterior's asthetic. This rule suggests that items look best when paired with like or similar items in groups of three. Consider lining up three rocking chairs on your front porch, even if you only ever plan to use one.

You can use this rule to decorate the area around your chairs as well. Consider a trio of planters to add a pop of color to welcome spring or place three pumpkins on the steps leading up to your house in the fall. Or you can group a set of candles and lanterns in multiples of three for wintertime curb appeal.

Brick walls abound in the "Steel Magnolias" house, both outside and in, most notably in the kitchen and living room. If you don't already have brick walls that you can expose, there are some options you can use to create this look in your home. You could use actual brick, but this can be expensive and time-consuming. And as Crafty Little Gnome points out, brick wallpapers often have seams that look less than stellar. But you can use brick veneer instead.

Think of this like laminate flooring. It's a thinner version of a brick that floats over your existing painted or wallpapered walls. And even if you're not much of a DIYer, you can easily tackle this project. The best thing about using brick on your walls is that the look works best when it is imperfect.

Your placement is also essential. Faux brick is perfect for adding warmth in a study or as a backsplash in the kitchen. It is easy, however, to go overboard when using brick veneers. Designer Bethany Adams tells My Move, "Just be careful not to go overboard. Usually, a single accent wall is enough to create impact." 

According to North Jersey, pink bathroom tile was big in the '50s and '60s. In fact, many of the houses dating back to this generation still have pink tile in their bathrooms. The popularity of this color tile during those times explains why it's a staple in the house where "Steel Magnolias" was filmed. However, you don't have to completely revert to these old-school tiles for the same look. Today, colorful tiles come in contemporary shapes and finishes to combine both vintage and modern styles.

Shelby would be thrilled to learn that pink bathroom tile is making a comeback in a whole new way. There are many ways to incorporate this color into your bathroom design, from bright to subtle and full-out pink to accent tiles. Blogger Laura Gummerman discusses rehabbing her old-school bathroom and replacing the outdated green tiles and glass bricks with pink tile and white accents (via A Beautiful Mess). She also uses a pink and white checkered shower curtain, reminiscent of the one in the movie.

One thing you'll find in many old homes, including the one in "Steel Magnolias", is gold accents. From touches of gold in the hardware on the doors and cabinets to big, gold, elaborate frames on pictures and mirrors, you'll notice this antique finish frequently. The good news is, if you don't already have gold finishes in your home, you can easily add them yourself. There are a couple of ways to accomplish this feat, some easier than others. The first is to use Liquid Gold Leaf. As The Southern Gloss demonstrates, this simple technique can be used to quickly gild the corners of some black frames to be hung on the walls. 

For a more antique-looking finish, you can use a multi-step process (via The Creativity Exchange). Begin by applying a white primer spray paint to your frames, then let that dry for roughly 30 minutes. Next, apply a thin coat of Krylon Champagne Nouveau colored spray paint. Apply this lightly and then smear it with your fingers, so some of the white primer underneath shows through. Then, rub down the wood in some areas if you are looking for a worn look. Let the paint dry overnight, sand it down, and apply a coat of gold leaf in the corners to gild the frame. You'll need to apply spray adhesive to make it stick, but it needs to be dried to a tacky finish for the gold leaf to adhere. Once dry, use a small brush to remove the excess gold leaf.

Think beds are the only place you can use quilts? Think again. Try draping them on the backs of your chairs like M'Lynn does in her bedroom. Miss Mustard Seed points out that this is a simple way to add a splash of color and a touch of welcoming character to your otherwise neutral furniture. You can throw them over the back or arms of couches or fold them on footstools in the bedroom or living room.

Looking for something even less conventional? Try hanging quilts on your walls, or put one on your table in place of a tablecloth (via Red Land Cotton). When selecting a quilt to use in your home, opt for patterns in a color that's already in your room. But opt for louder designs if the rest of your décor is minimalist or simpler ones if your room is decorated in a maximalist style. To avoid looking too antiquated or outdated, consider pairing your quilts with more contemporary furniture styles.