Avoid These Features If You Want To Design A Nancy Meyers-Inspired Bathroom

The interior design in Nancy Meyers' movies has taken on a life of its own, popularized by Pinterest posts and aspirational TikTok videos. In fact, the director has even been cautioned in the past against making the set design too much of a character, lest it distract from the story and the actual characters in the movie. 

The gist of the Nancy Meyers aesthetic is that it must reflect the essence of whoever inhabits the space, whether that's Meryl Streep as a Santa Barbara baker at a crossroads with a past love in "It's Complicated," Diane Keaton as a wealthy Hamptons playwright rediscovering love in "Something's Gotta Give," or Anne Hathaway as an ambitious Brooklyn CEO in "The Intern." It's a fact that, in a Nancy Meyers movie, interiors play a role that rivals the main characters in importance. It's a vital storytelling tool that exposes the essence of the person at the center of Meyers' character-driven rom-coms. 

Naturally, those characters have a lot of their creator in them, so it only makes sense that Meyers' personal taste in decor ends up bleeding into the films, as well. As a result, when we talk about a Nancy Meyers home, or, in this case, a Nancy Meyers bathroom, we're talking about the director's style as much as her characters'. And, although that style can be versatile, there are certain features you would never find in one of her bathrooms. 

A Nancy Meyers bathroom should feel cozy and inviting, which is why a repeating pattern in this list is the rejection of modern minimalism and its clean, austere lines. Let's start with something simple, like hardware. To achieve the desired look, avoid the sleek matte black or stainless steel rectilinear faucets and shower systems that have become ubiquitous in your average newly renovated Airbnb. Instead, try warm metals like brass, copper, and nickel, and look for fixtures with an intricate design, even if you can't quite achieve the exuberance of Anne Hathaway's tub faucet in "The Intern."

There is one thing Nancy Meyers' movie sets have in common, and that is the lack of any bright, showy colors. Well, with the exception of the red details in Helen Hunt's office in "What Women Want." The director prefers warm neutrals, off-whites, and pastel shades. To nail the Meyers bathroom look, stay away from saturated hues. If you want a little color, try a light salmon or a baby blue, otherwise, embrace the soft greys and beiges. 

When talking about making a room feel warm, lighting plays a fundamental role by setting the mood and impacting the color scheme. A singular source of light, most commonly a ceiling light, won't do as good a job at creating an enveloping atmosphere as layered lighting will. That's why, apart from the ceiling light, any Nancy Meyers bathroom often has a lamp on the dressing table and sconces framing the mirror in the vanity. The space is covered by a consistent yet diffused glow, instead of being lit by a single strong spotlight. 

Cool lighting is another major no-no in the Nancy Meyers aesthetic. White light is objectively better at clearly illuminating a space, which can be useful when performing certain cosmetic tasks, like when Mel Gibson tries waxing in "What Women Want." But, in honesty, who wants to see every little imperfection in themselves and their surroundings? Warm lighting, on the other hand, is a lot more forgiving and relaxing, just like any Meyers movie. 

There is so much plastic in bathrooms, and not only is this bad for the environment, but it's also not very Nancy Meyers-esque. The director's interiors are defined by a love of organic materials because, once again, they convey warmth and a closeness to the natural world. For storage boxes, swap synthetic materials for natural fibers like jute, wicker, and rattan. For items that come in contact with water, like soap dispensers, opt for ceramics and glass (these may include synthetic components but offer a much richer, more traditional look than plastic).

No Nancy Meyers aesthetic guide can be complete without mentioning candles. If your bathroom currently has a candle deficiency, then it is not Meyering as hard as it could be. These items contribute to the same atmospheric lighting mentioned above, but with the added glow of an open flame and, if you want, a calming scent. Finding your favorite candles can also contribute to making your space feel curated and tailored, giving visitors a glimpse into your taste and personality, which is ultimately what the set decor in Nancy Meyers' films is all about. 

Fake plants are arguably the antithesis of the Nancy Meyers aesthetic. The filmmaker's sets are always brimming with life, and greenery plays a big part in making that happen. Although plastic replicas have become strikingly realistic, they can never offer the connection that comes from caring for a living thing. Besides, as high-moisture environments, bathrooms are ideal for plants that thrive in humidity. Spider plants and ferns are popular options for this space, but adding a fresh bunch of flowers to a vase every fortnight wouldn't go amiss, either.

If you're really dedicated to giving your bathroom the Meyers makeover, you may have to reconsider your shower cubicle. The director doesn't give audiences as many glimpses into her film's bathrooms as she does the kitchens and living rooms, but whenever a character does hang out in one, they're usually soaking in a chic vintage free-standing bathtub. These are simply more conducive to an intentional, mindful lifestyle than the quick, impersonal shower. For inspiration, look towards the clawfoot cast iron tub used by both Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway in their respective Meyers films. 

Avoiding overly clinical and polished color schemes is possibly the top design tip to make your bathroom feel like it came out of a rom-com like "Something's Gotta Give" or "The Holiday." White is a popular color for bathrooms because it helps a typically compact and windowless space appear larger and brighter, but it can also result in a bland and frigid environment. In Nancy Meyers' bathrooms, you won't find crisp whites, but alternatives that are a few tones warmer. Wooden furniture and weathered brass accents help tie the decor together. 

The rom-com decor trend is all about giving your home a nostalgic feel, so a collection of vintage pieces is a must. Nancy Meyers' sets always feel lived-in and like they've been decorated over time, with pieces that carry a sense of history and personal connection with the main character. This can come in the form of a vintage mirror frame, antique wall lamps, or even restored furniture like a dresser or side table. Your bathroom shouldn't look overly new, coordinated, or planned. 

The real reason the Nancy Meyers aesthetic isn't working in your home may be that you're trying too hard to follow a specific look, not realizing that what makes the director's sets so homey is how much they reflect the people that live in them. Personalizing your space with items that feel unique to you will generate the same cozy, inviting atmosphere that is so attractive in the celebrated filmmaker's work. Find a spot to showcase tokens from your travels or hang wall art and family pictures.