How To Decorate Your Home Like Miley's House In Hannah Montana
The 2000s are known for many things. Maximalism trends grew as much in consumers' shopping habits as in interior design (hello, every teen bedroom in every teen movie of the decade). So it stands to reason that as we return to former hot trends, the appeal of Y2K-era layering is making a comeback, as per Vice. When we think back to that curious decade, few TV shows had as much impact as the Nickelodeon sitcom, "Hannah Montana." It's been 15 years since the final episode, and the effect of characters and the show is still apparent in how often we quote lines from an episode or finish the lyrics to a hit song.
Though the Stewart clan lived in two homes throughout the show, both interiors had one thing in common — a penchant for maximalism. The theme song lyrics say, "You get the best of both worlds. Mix it all. And you know that it's the best of both worlds." These were more than just words — they were the very influence on the interiors of the beloved character's home.
The maximalist aesthetic of Miley Stewart/Hannah Montana's fashion and home style reflects the wildness of her double life, and because this was a home of the mid-2000s, people weren't afraid to mix and match. It's a maximalist's dream. How do you incorporate maximalism in your home? Well, it's a lot simpler than you might think.
Maximalism is key
What exactly is maximalism? When posed this question by Vogue, Interior Designer Keren Richter answered, "Maximalism is the art of more-is-more; layered patterning, highly saturated colors, ample accessories and art (likely hung 'salon-style'), and a real sense of playfulness and bold gestures." It's daunting to try maximalist decor if you're a beginner, but there are plenty of ways to get started. One of the critical things with maximalist decor, la Hannah Montana's home, is to ensure that you only focus on what you love. Curate your space to only feature colors, textures, and layers you enjoy. Even though maximalism is about more, ensuring that your personality shines through in your home is essential.
Hannah Montana's home has several odes to her personality and style. As a musical family, the Stewarts boast proficiencies in several instruments, which they have made part of their interior style. Why not place one of your interests front and center in the same manner?
Select a statement piece (or two)
The great thing about maximalist decor is showcasing more than one aspect of your taste. In the Montana/Stewart household, there are a few statement pieces in the open-plan living area to pick from, but one of the main pieces that catch the eye when you walk in is the red sofa, which adds that pop of color to the mainly brown-toned space.
But wait, there's more. Right beside the couch is a leopard print armchair that screams maximalism while still playing nice with the space's color scheme. The beauty of the maximalist trend, as seen in "Hannah Montana," is that you can have the best of both worlds! If you're feeling as adventurous as the Stewart clan, you can go ahead and explore the option of a third statement piece but make sure it's not competing for space or attention. In the living room, the family has a glass coffee table with legs made of wood resembling a tree's roots. It's a more covert piece of furniture than others in the space, but it still fits nicely with the trend. If you would like to copy this bold aesthetic but aren't sure where to start, Cuckooland suggests beginning with one standout piece and acclimating to its look. Once you get used to that item, you can try layering in another loud piece, such as playful lighting or unusual seating.
Think antique
In Hannah Montana's beachside mansion, one of the first things you'll notice is how much wooden furniture there is. The entire space has rustic beauty, from coffee tables to dining sets. Even if you have a smaller area, you can still use interesting antique finds to spruce up the room.
Antiques come in all sizes and forms and could be a great way to display some of your more sentimental knick-knacks. After all, this is all about personal maximalism. It could be souvenirs you've picked up from your travels or a unique antique rug that ties the room together, as per Nazmiyal Collection. Since maximalism values art, this is your chance to choose a handcrafted piece with history and many colors. An area rug with rich hues will also help your wood furniture pop. One thing the "Hannah Montana" home does well is challenging how many different styles can live harmoniously in a space.
Plants, plants, plants!
For both your indoor and outdoor spaces, a great way to get the "Hannah Montana" interior is to include plants in your area. Not only does having multiple plants in your room fill blank walls and empty corners, but indoor plants also have some excellent health benefits. Per Strutt & Parker, plants are great agents against Seasonal Affect Disorder (SAD), a form of depression that manifests most commonly in the dreary winter months. Plants are also believed to be great refiners of the air around us, clearing our spaces of harmful chemicals (via NASA).
In the Malibu beach house on "Hannah Montana," the interiors are complemented by various potted plants of different sizes. While the ranch home does have indoor plants, it relegates most of its greenery to the patio, opting for creeping plants. According to Jessica Welling Interiors, opt for plants with bright colors, unusual variations, or art-like leaf shapes to get the most bang for your buck style-wise. When decorating with them, ensure you add variety in size and location. You want some big bushy plants, but you also want smaller ones dispersed throughout the room to add balance. The same goes for where you put them. While it's great to have larger plants on the floor, you want to add other planters on shelves and table tops, so they're at different heights.
Throw in some neon
In the episode "New House" in Season 4, the Stewarts officially move into the ranch home after years at the beach house. The open-plan living and dining areas showcase eye-catching furniture and accessories, but one that stands out is the personalized neon sign in the kitchen. Neon tends to err on the side of tacky, but with the right sign, you go from gaudy to goody, as per HuffPost. One thing to consider when picking your personalized neon sign is how it will complement the space. Consider the font, size, and colors when selecting your sign. If going for artwork rather than text, ensure that the art is manageable in an already busy space. A lot of times, the neon sign might be the only accessory required to elevate your living area, and other times it can be subtle enough to play second fiddle to more prominent items in the space (via Realtor).
Finally, your neon sign can be small. Depending on the size of the area you will place it in, you can opt for smaller neon pieces. Most importantly, this is a sign you'll likely see every day. Ensure it sparks joy, calm, or, at the very least, a chuckle.
Go with an accent wall
Hannah Montana's beachside home is a cornucopia of neutral tones, but what makes it a maximalist's dream is the infusion of splashes of color that make the space pop. The beloved Nickelodeon star's home from Seasons 1 to 3 might have one accent wall, but the ranch home from Season 4 onwards boasts two accent walls: one orange and one maroon. What's the benefit of an accent wall in your space? Anderson Painting notes it's a great way to break up the monotony in your living area and can even be an excellent tool for organizing your home. For example, if you're using one room for multiple purposes, you can "carve" out areas with an accent wall. If you have a living room that doubles as a family room and office, you can push your desk against the accent wall to signal its separate function from the rest of the space.
In the Montana/Stewart ranch home, the maroon accent wall holds the many instruments the fictional musical family plays, drawing attention to the display of musical prowess and the gorgeous floor-to-ceiling French windows. Trying to figure out how to get the perfect accent wall for your living room can be overwhelming, but don't fret. You can start by figuring out what you want to draw attention to.
Decorate according to your square feet
Sure the Stewart/Montana homes are spacious and filled with light, offering a designer a lot of space to play with, but even with a more limited living area, one can live out their maximalist dreams with just a slight adjustment to the big ideas. One of the first things to note is that being a lover of the maximalist style doesn't mean holding on to things that should be thrown out. It doesn't mean displaying the vast accumulation of trinkets you've amassed over the years — no. According to Square Inch Home, instead, it's a form of storytelling that shows anyone who enters your space a little about yourself before you even say a word.
Square Inch Home suggests playing with colors, layers, and art when dealing with a smaller space. If you don't have a lot of room to maneuver around furniture, add vibrant paint colors to the walls, floorboards, doors, and ceilings. You can also add gallery walls, murals, floating shelves, and accent walls to increase the room's interest without taking up any floor space. Add playful accents through lighting by choosing attractive chandeliers and installing artistic wall sconces. And when you do finally get to choose your furniture, you can pick a selection of showstoppers, which make a statement even if there aren't too many physical items on the floorplan.
It's all about you
The Montana/Stewart mansion is a cozy dream because it's filled with everything that makes the characters who they are. They are a musical family, so they have their instruments on display. In the transition from the Malibu beach house to the ranch home, they never lost their identities as nature lovers, so we see a lot of greenery and wood in both homes.
So while this is a great starting point for your home, it's essential to let your space reflect who you are. Don't be afraid to put yourself on display and fill each room with the colors, knick-knacks, layers, and textures that spark joy in you! Remember, maximalism isn't just about filling your living area up with random things; it's about curating your space to tell the story of you, as per Creative Overflow. Combine trends with personal style, and you've got the best of both worlds.