The 7 Design Secrets Hiding in Emma Roberts’s Living Room 👀
How I Found This Space
In case you missed my August update, I shared a little preview of a celebrity room I am totally obsessed with — Emma Roberts’ living room.
You might know her from American Horror Story. But I wasn’t looking for celebrity interiors when I found this. I was actually on the hunt for fireplace inspiration when this dreamy space caught my eye.
Why I Love This Room
It checks off all my boxes:
Balance. Creativity. Story.
The balance of colors, textures, and shapes feels effortless.
The mix of traditional and contemporary elements is just right.
I had no idea it was a celebrity’s home until I dug deeper into the pin I’d saved.
Even if this isn’t your personal style (and honestly, it’s not mine either),
it’s a perfect example of what anyone can create when they start with a rug and a vision.
If You Want to Recreate This Look
Start with a budget and a mood board.
You’ll be surprised how quickly your vision becomes reality.
If you’re serious about getting started, here’s how to break down a room like this and make it affordable.
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What Makes a Room Feel Complete
If you’ve never studied design, it can be hard to know. But after going waist-deep into every aspect of home creation, here’s what I’ve learned:
A perfect, complete room has these 7 essential ingredients.
1. A Defined Purpose
Just like you, your space wants to reach its full potential and work for you. A perfect room:
Has all the functional furniture it needs
Tells you visually what the space is for
In this room:
It’s clear this is a space for gathering, hanging out, and enjoying the view.
2. Storage + Display
We all have stuff — some we want to hide, some we want to show off. A perfect room balances both.
In this room:
The giant burl coffee table is used for display
Built-in shelves on the left are also display
The giant oak credenza in the back = “displorage” (display + storage)
3. A Fantastical Foundation
When you walk into a space, the first thing you notice (subconsciously) is the floor. You’re scanning for a way in, out, and around.
In this room:
The rug sets the stage for the entire design — its muted colors repeat throughout the space (designer trick: it always works)
All furniture is arranged on the rug, guiding the floor plan
It’s actually two rugs: a patterned rug layered over a larger neutral one — another designer trick
Pro Tip: Find a rug you adore and use it to set your foundation.
4. Variety in Furniture
Look at the chairs, couch, stools, coffee table, and credenza.
In this room:
Most furniture has rounded edges (stools, chairs, coffee table)
Architectural elements (French doors, windows, built-ins, art) are all straight lines
The contrast creates balance
Your action step: Take a look around your space and notice your variety — or lack of it.
5. Lighting
Designers start with lighting right away. If you’re DIY-ing:
Address natural light first, then supplement with artificial
Choose window treatments that fit your style, budget, and rug
Select artificial lighting that’s functional, well-placed, and scaled right (bonus if it’s the perfect shape)
In this room:
Natural light from French doors and windows
Overhead light for evenings
Table lamp + wall sconce for layered lighting
6. Plants + Greenery
Every perfect room has a few — or a ton — of plants and accessories.
In this room:
Coffee table flowers
Lush greenery from the outside view (so no need for lots of indoor plants)
Pro Tip: If you have a great green view, let that be your plant source.
7. Accessories
Accessories are the jewelry of your design — the mini museum of your life.
In this room:
Coffee table: books, a tray, and flowers (variety in size/shape)
Credenza: books, sculptures, meaningful art
Built-in shelves: more books, sculptures, and mementos — nothing feels random
Why This Works
This room has everything: balance, creativity, and story.
No matter your style or budget, you can recreate this look:
Start with the largest functional pieces
Work your way to accessories and plants
Layer in lighting and texture
Everything is linked in the source article.
Wrapping It Up
Emma Roberts’s living room might not be my personal style, but it’s proof that when a space has balance, creativity, and story, it just works. You don’t need a celebrity budget or a famous designer to pull this off—you just need a plan, an eye for what matters, and the patience to build your room from the ground up.
The beauty of a well-designed space is that it feels complete without feeling staged, and it reflects you without screaming for attention. Whether your vibe is bold and eclectic or calm and minimal, the process is the same—start big, end small, and make every choice count.
And because I want you to actually try this in your own space…
💌 Get the Look — In Your Budget
You can find a deal on almost anything these days if you know where to look (and how to search). I’ve pulled together a shoppable list of affordable dupes and budget-friendly finds so you can recreate this room without maxing out your credit card.
Download the free “Get the Look” guide to see my top picks, shopping tips, and budget hacks for this room’s:
Flooring
Furniture
Lighting
Plants
Accessories
👉 [Click here to grab your free guide]
