How To Decorate Your Home Like The Movie Moulin Rouge

Do you recall the catchy tune, "Gitchie, gitchie, ya-ya, da-da"? Or perhaps the sultry mantra "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?" Those lyrics from Patti LaBelle's "Lady Marmalade," alongside a myriad of other love songs from iconic artists like Elton John and David Bowie, were made popular once again in Baz Luhrmann's highly acclaimed musical "Moulin Rouge," as per Vogue. We are talking about the melodious drama based in France, following an English poet named Christian who moved to the city of France to find love. He mingles with a group of bohemians who convince him to co-write a play. This leads him to meet and fall in love with cabaret dancer Satine (who is also a courtesan promised to be the lover of an evil duke). Satine falls for Christian as they perform various plays together in the Moulin Rouge nightspot, much to the chagrin of the duke, whose jealousy gets the best of him, causing him to commit murder.

According to Tilt Magazine, "Moulin Rouge" (which loosely translates to "red windmill" in French) was a box office smash. It showcased amazing couture and gave us a heavy dose of Parisian lifestyle and home decor inspiration, which led to the movie snagging two Oscars. From the plushly designed courtesan chambers to the sweetheart arches used within the buildings, this is a journey into a whimsical world of real estate. Keep on reading to discover romantic ways to decorate your living space just like the movie.

There is a reason why the chant goes, "lights, camera, action!" Everywhere you turn in the theater, you come across tons of spotlights and fixtures that offer a range of task lighting. In the movie, from the stage to the jumbo "Moulin Rouge" signage, everything is illuminated by glowing lights, adding further excitement to the show. 

Ergo Direct defines task lighting as lighting used in specific, concentrated areas, often helping you do a certain task. You can typically find it in places like a reading nook or beside your favorite couch where you journal. You can also find it in the kitchen above your island, above countertops, or on your nightstand next to your bed. It's not to be confused with ambient or mood lighting, both of which cover large areas and are used to enhance the atmosphere. Instead, you can think of task lighting as a spotlight — it beams down in a particular spot.

We already know that Satine's bedroom was an eclectic paradise boasting opulence and grandeur courtesy of the color scheme, so it is only fitting that the accessories in the room matched the room's level of luxury. You can particularly see this in the rugs she used to differentiate areas of the room, which were antique and rich. (As a high-class courtesan, Satine was, after all, entertaining some of the wealthiest men in town, so the room needed to echo the royal house accessories these elite men were used to.)

Some of her rugs boasted distinct patterns, and they appeared to be made from the finest material, meaning they did not come cheap. Further proof lies in the fact that "Moulin Rouge" was set in the 19th century, and this is the same period in which Persian carpets became hugely sought after, as per Rug Gallery. Europeans were going gaga for vividly colored versions gorgeously constructed by highly skilled artists. If you are leaning towards using rugs in your red room, just know that you do not necessarily need red ones. One unique decor trick is introducing a blue or green rug that will contrast against the crimson color scheme (via MagicBricks).

Are we sure about this? Well, technically, the answer is yes and no. Yes, you can go crazy with the number of throw pillows in your home, especially if you aim to have a maximalist, opulent aesthetic. But you also have to draw the line somewhere — especially if you have so many pillows that you can't sit on your couch or bed comfortably, as per Rapport Furniture. Sofas were made for sitting, so who wants a couch filled with so many throw pillows you cannot even sit on it?

Sultry throw pillows which match Satine's room aesthetic include velvet or silk throw pillows. Because these are luxurious materials, they will complement the sultry elements of your "Moulin Rouge" inspired room. If you want to add character to your space, why not opt for a conversation-starting throw pillow with a bold design, such as this Peacock version from Wayfair?

The cabaret dancers were all showpeople prepped and primed to the highest order, so we can imagine that vanities were a major deal in this 19th-century-based musical. When Satine was getting ready for her important rendezvous with the duke, we watched her utilize a vanity. It had a really large mirror hung onto the wall above what appears to be a wooden oak table. It was decorated with beaded fringe, flowers, and photographs to give it a personalized touch.

If you are in need of a new vanity, you'll be pleased to know that you can still find some vintage Victorian vanities online. However, the well-preserved ones have higher price tags, so be diligent in checking consistently so you can score a deal. Or, if you're good with sandpaper and stain, you can try flipping a vanity in rough shape back into its former glory.

Now that you are well into your journey to decorate your home like the movie "Moulin Rouge," we might as well discuss the glossy steps. The theater stage in the film had circular, glossy steps, which added pizazz to the cabaret performances as the entertainers pranced up and down the feature. If you want to bring the theater to your home, consider painting your stairs a glossy silver or add metallic-hued rugs.

According to Stair Rods Direct, to paint over wooden stairs, you first need to sand the boards using 60 grit sandpaper, then vacuum the leftover debris. Next, you want to choose paint specially formulated for floors, as they will be able better to withstand the day-to-day foot traffic than standard wall paint. You want to avoid satin or semi-gloss finishes, as those can cause people to slip, making the stairs dangerous.

Once the duke meets Satine for the first time, she's laid out a spread for him with chromatic plates, cutlery, and plate covers, all gleaming in the light. If you channel the movie "Moulin Rouge" into your home, you must take your crockery collection seriously. In fact, you should consider your crockery collection as a home investment, as per LuxDeco.

When building your collection, first take into account your lifestyle. If you are not really one for hosting dinner parties, or you do not usually have guests over, it is best to focus mainly on your everyday serving ware, which is your fine china. Fancier dishes that come across as more decorative could include porcelain dishes or certain types of stoneware dishes. However, sometimes these dishes cannot be used in the microwave or placed in the dishwasher, so check their warning labels before buying them. Ideally, if you plan to host guests, you may choose to buy your everyday fine china for daily use and have your decorative set for special occasions.