How To Decorate Your House Like 13 Going On 30
"13 Going on 30" is a romantic comedy that has stood the test of time, as it encompasses both peak 1980s and early 2000s styles. According to MovieWeb, the chemistry between co-stars Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo was somehow both steamy and sweet at the same time, causing viewers to keep coming back for more. After all, who doesn't love a story about childhood sweethearts who end up becoming soulmates?
The idea of seeing your future and getting to do things over to get things right is also something that appeals to most of us ... as is being 13 and living in New York City, with access to all the clothes, shoes, makeup, and parties of a 30-year-old woman. In essence, Jenna Rink got to live our childhood dreams. Additionally, no one can deny that Jenna also has real style. From her childhood bedroom in 1987 to her NYC apartment in 2004, complete with a killer walk-in closet, here's how you can recreate all her design choices at home.
Small TVs are very 1987
Teenage Jenna has a tiny TV in her room, perfect for watching music videos of her ultimate crush, Rick Springsteen. Having a TV in your room has pros and cons, but having a retro or old-fashioned one can be more of a fashion statement than anything else. According to The National, there is still a great emotional attachment to the technology of the past, even as it becomes obsolete. We are drawn to the familiar, as well as things that remind us of our childhood.
This could be why we think Jenna's small screen TV is cute rather than inconvenient. If you are looking for a similar one, secondhand sites like eBay and Facebook Marketplace are great places to start. In addition, consider looking at estate sales, or even if your local secondhand store. There always seems to be an older TV or a VCR in semi-working condition collecting dust on one of the shelves in the back.
Foosball tables and other table games add a retro touch
Everyone had some sort of gaming table in their basements in the 1980s, including the Rinks. According to Fad Magazine, foosball is basically tabletop soccer, and having a gaming table in your home is a great way to bring families together for some unplugged fun, which is harder to come by in an ever-increasing digital age.
The game of foosball is fast moving. Although it's played on a stationary table, players will find themselves working up a sweat and clocking a pretty good cardio workout while trying to secure a win. If foosball isn't your thing, you might also consider adding a pool table to your family game room. However, pool tables tend to be a lot larger, so be sure to double measure where you intended to put it (and the doorways leading to that area,) just to make sure that it will actually fit (via LiveAbout).
Use your vanity as a vision board
Teenage Jenna knew exactly what she wanted to be when she grew up. We now know that her plans were way off — since she eventually didn't like the person she became — but she mapped out her future using a vision board taped to her mirror. This helped her keep her ambitions top of mind.
According to Oprah Daily, making a vision board is a step in the process of manifestation. First, take a moment to think about what really matters to you. What are your goals for your career, your family, and your creative pursuits? Then, begin gathering things that remind you of your goals and can help you keep them visible and make them a priority. It's totally okay to put together your vision board over time instead of all at once, as you're likely to encounter things that inspire you over the years. Jenna did have the right idea by placing these things on her vanity, though. This way, while she is getting ready each morning, she could look over her goals and meditate on them, just like you can.
Bulletin boards are still a great place to keep your announcements and memories
Having a bulletin board at home is a great idea because it can help keep things organized. We can see that teenage Jenna used hers for photos of her favorite celebrities, magazine covers, and to remind her of the upcoming middle school talent show. When getting one for your own room, you can either buy or DIY one.
You can pick up a bulletin board at any local big box store like Walmart, Target, or HomeGoods. But, according to DIY Craftsy, if you choose to make one at home instead, you won't need too many supplies, making it quite a cost effective craft. You'll want to purchase some fabric, cork board, ribbon or a frame in the size you want. Next, staple the fabric to the back of the cork board to create a buffer, then line it with ribbon as a border, or cut it to fit into the frame you purchased. While you might not need a reminder about the talent show like Jenna, having this board in an accessible place might help you remember important things, like your next big meeting.
Sectional sofas offer more places to relax
Whether you prefer sitting or lounging, sectionals cover all of your bases. In our first glimpse of adult Jenna's apartment, we see that she has a baby blue sectional sofa in her living room. According to Living Cozy, sectional sofas are the perfect furniture choice for those of us who like to entertain. As a magazine executive, it makes sense that adult Jenna would have one in her apartment, as she would likely host friends and colleagues at her home for drinks and networking.
Sectionals are also a very comfortable choice, making them a great place to crash after these events, too. They are so comfortable because they are typically finished with materials like leather or microfiber, which tend to be a little bit softer to the touch. Plus, if they come with a built-in chaise portion like Jenna's, they make the perfect place to take an afternoon nap.
Wood paneling is an 1980s staple and can still be stylish today
When Jenna hosted her 13th birthday party in her parent's basement in 1987, we got a good look at the wood paneling adorning the walls of the Rink family home. Plenty of homes in the U.S. still have classic wood paneling, but updating it for more modern styling is very easy.
According to DIY stylist Jenna LaFevor, the first step to giving this classic look a makeover is simply to paint the trim around the paneling instead of the paneling itself. This gives it a nice framing and immediately makes things seem newer and fresher. Next, consider styling the panels with solid pieces of furniture to really anchor the space, as patterned furniture might be too overwhelming. Finally, think about layering in other textures and patterns in smaller amounts. You could do this through fun art on the wall, or even a louder throw blanket across the couch. This way, the room gets to keep its character, but you don't have to feel like you are stuck in the 1980s.
Patterned wallpaper adds texture to Jenna's apartment
When Jenna first wakes up as a 30-year-old, we get a great look at the funky patterned wallpaper she has chosen for her New York City apartment. According to GenTwenty, patterns are an easy way to make any room seem a little bit more fun. If you have a space that you want to update, but have a small budget or are not that DIY-savvy, installing wallpaper is an inexpensive, easy way to shake things up.
We can see that adult Jenna chose a muted gray circle pattern that complements the rest of her home's decor, like the blue on her living room walls and her couch. However, when selecting your wallpaper, consider if you want it to add a loud, eye-catching design element to the room, or simply support the rest of the items in the space through a bit of background texture.
Consider a symmetric entryway
Adult Jenna has a nice and balanced foyer in her home, using symmetry to create a calm and sleek look. However, when we first see this part of her apartment, Jenna is anything but sleek and calm as she had just "woken up" as a 30-year-old. According to Modsy, symmetry in design takes place around a common focal point. In the case of Jenna's entryway, that point is the door. So, we can see that on either side of the door, Jenna has two identical wall sconces, two plants, as well as two tables.
If a room has perfect symmetry, you would be able to draw a line down the focal point and seemingly fold the room in half with perfect overlap. However, most rooms don't have exact symmetry, but rather just enough to mimic the effect while still maintaining points of individuality. In this case, the individual accents are that Jenna has two different types of plants that are just different enough to provide visual variety without disrupting the overall symmetrical look. So, if you are recreating this aesthetic at home, get as close as possible and don't worry about perfection.
Think about matching your furniture to your walls ... and vice versa
Sometimes a bit of matchy-matchy decor can actually be a very stylish option. We see this in adult Jenna's New York City apartment, as her sofa is the same powder blue as the walls in her living room. According to color expert Maria Killam, some designers might attempt to tell you that matching your couch to your walls (or vice versa) is one of the biggest fashion faux pas you can make when putting a room together. However, when done properly, you can actually create a very color-balanced space in this way.
When matching your sofa to your wall color, it is better to start with the couch first and expand from there, as most paint retailers can color match anything. Yet, the same cannot be said for furniture manufacturers. In addition, this method also works if you already have a sofa that you have loved for years and haven't gone out and purchased a brand new one for the express purpose of redecorating a room in a new hue.
Adult Jenna has a stylish circle mirror in her front room
Circular mirrors are a trend that will not go away anytime soon, as the large one in adult Jenna's apartment still seems on point, nearly 20 years after the movie first hit theaters. According to Preview Magazine, circular mirrors brighten and expand the overall feeling of the amount of space in a room. Because they don't have any hard lines or sharp corners, they tend to float in the space, seemingly taking up less of it.
In addition, interior designer Abigail Ahern told the magazine that, in general, "Mirrors bring in extra light, expand horizons, and add depth. A super large one will expand the space and make it seem way bigger than it actually is." So, the larger your circular mirror is, the larger your overall space will seem. Finally, round mirrors make the perfect prop for all sorts of selfies, be they just of you, you and your cat, or your friends, too. Since most mirrors are rectangular, the circular ones add a unique touch to your shot. This is something we think Jenna could appreciate if she wasn't so panicked about suddenly turning 30.
Create the walk-in closet of your dreams
Adult Jenna's walk-in closet is every little girl's dream, so it's pretty easy for most viewers to relate to her excitement the first time she sees it. If you want to create a walk-in closet of your very own worthy of "13 Going on 13," it's not too difficult to DIY. According to Sawdust Girl, whether you want to expand your current wardrobe, or build a closet entirely from scratch across the back of your room, the key is to measure everything before you get started.
This is especially true if you plan to install custom built-ins as a storage solution instead of just letting your clothes hang on the rack. This is important because you don't want to end up with a space too small for your favorite pair of boots. In addition, plan to create more space than what you currently need. You don't want to put tons of work into creating a walk-in closet of your dreams only to outgrow its capacity in a year or two.
Adult Matt proudly displays his photos around his home
If you are a budding photographer or just like collecting the work of others, you can take a page from Matt's book and set up an at-home gallery. When Jenna pops in on him, trying to get some answers about her adult life, we get a glimpse of his apartment. As a photographer, Matt has displayed some of his favorite work throughout his home.
According to House Beautiful, you might be able to get away with hanging photos as you go, but for the best results, you should have some sort of plan for your overall vision before you start putting things up on the walls. The best way to create visual diversity on your walls is to vary the size, shape, and even color of the frames you choose to use. In addition, consider adding multiple photos and prints together in a collage frame. Finally, remember that when hanging your art, or the art you love, you can combine mediums: photography, acrylic paintings, and even prints of famous works you adore.
Adult Jenna has a breakfast bar in her kitchen
We get a good look at adult Jenna's kitchen when Matt brings her home after she comes to him for answers. While Jenna has a dining room table, her breakfast nook is handy for quick meals. According to Savoy Timber, turning a kitchen counter into a breakfast bar is one of the most practical updates you can make to your home. This is because you can use the space for more than just breakfast.
These counters also make a great spot to prep food, enjoy an appetizer with friends at a house party, or even take a quick video chat for your remote job. They're also a great investment if you have a smaller kitchen, as you can double up using the same area to both prepare and enjoy your food. Finally, a breakfast bar will never go out of style, making it a timeless feature in your home. In fact, more and more homes now come with breakfast bars built in, instead of homeowners needing to create them after the fact.
Update your siding to dream-house pink
When Jenna goes back to 1987 to make things right, we get to see what her true happily ever after would actually look like in the present day. In this updated version of reality, Jenna's house is bright pink on the exterior. According to ArtRadarJournal, many homeowners have taken the plunge to paint their houses pink and don't regret it.
However, if you plan to repaint your home's exterior, make sure that there aren't any rules against it by your local homeowners' association (HOA). Most neighborhoods require homeowners to submit color swatches for approval prior to work beginning. In addition, consider not going all the way pink, but instead pairing it with white window frames and trim, just like Jenna, as this tends to look better in the real world (via Land of Laurel).