We’ve all heard about ‘Friends’, either from Joey’s flirty ‘ How you doing’ to Pheobe’s iconic ‘Smelly Cat’ song–It’s a show that has become more than simple entertainment. It’s an emotion that connects audiences from all over the world.
Let me help you visualise this: You’re home from work, school, or college, completely tired. Your mind is spinning with thoughts, and all you need at this point is some alone time with your TV remote. That’s when you play your favourite episode, and as soon as the intro plays, all your thoughts calm down. Suddenly, you realise it’s not so bad and all you truly needed was friends to make life better.
That’s the impact of everyone’s all-time favourite sitcom ‘Friends’ that has been a comfort show since 1994, which is over 20 years now!
The reason behind it being everyone’s favourite show might be:
- The solace of all the ups and downs in our 20s.
- A token of friendship
- A depiction of the journey in 20s.
- It’s a legendary set! (If you’re someone who kept wondering between how Monica afforded that flat and how she can make it look so good, keep reading!)
John Shaffner, the product designer on the set of ‘Friends’, aimed to create Monica’s apartment to be eclectic and have an anything-goes style, which turned out to be the best decision.
However, it wasn’t just the best decision in terms of decor — there are also many elements you can draw inspiration from for your next home decorating project:
1. Central Perk’s iconic orange sofa:
It’s one of the very first home decor items that literally becomes the main character and continues to do so in the whole series! From the catchy “I’ll be there for you” intro to taking center stage in Central Perk, it has built an emotional connection with friends. But that’s not it; the pop of colour and its cozy look created a striking statement. Also, while designing a space, it’s important to create a cozy sitting space, and the orange sofa did just that! So, don’t be afraid to add a pop of color through your sofa, or just go with an orange sofa to capture the essence of the show in your abode.
Fun fact: The orange sofa was not a customised piece but rather just pulled out from Warner bros. Studio basement.
2. Monica’s apartment blinds and curtain combo:
If you look closely enough in Monica’s apartment, you might notice that blinds and curtains are used together. Monica was definitely onto something while experimenting with this because it looks extremely good! From effectively blocking sunlight to tapping your personal style, it supports you to do both simultaneously.
It’s an excellent idea if you want to layer but don’t know how to begin. It allows you to incorporate different textures and patterns in style. Make sure to go with a subtle blind, paired with a patterned curtain, or a net white curtain with a patterned blind to get a balanced look.
3. Go for rustic brown bricks with a vivid color palette like Monica’s kitchen:
Among Monica and Rachel’s entire apartment, their kitchen really stood out to me. With a red brick backdrop and turquoise kitchen cabinets, it created an eye-catching vibe using minimal elements. What’s even more exciting is how easy it is to incorporate this look into your own kitchen.
- Go for red brick wallpaper to get the ideal backdrop.
- Choose a vibrant color for your kitchen cabinet.
- Now, enjoy your cooking experience like chef Monica!
4. Infuse comfort like Joey and Chandler’s La-Zy boy reclined brown armchairs:
Do you remember the one episode where Joey got armchairs and a TV for him and Chandler? Yes, we’re talking about that cozy recliner chair. No matter how beautiful your space looks, it’s always going to look incomplete without a restful sitting in your environment. So, incorporate comfy chairs, especially brown, to get an inviting and homey setting in the’ Friend’ style.
5. Pat the dog ceramic statue:
How can we forget the giant ceramic dog from Joey and Chandler’s apartment? It was a super cool — and definitely bold — choice that made a statement. But the real reason behind it goes deeper. When Joey suddenly came into money, he splurged on a bunch of things he later had to sell. Since he couldn’t afford to keep anything, Ross bought the ceramic dog for him. That’s what gave it such sentimental value. So, whether it’s a bold decor piece tied to a special memory or a ceramic dog to honor this sweet moment from Friends, make sure your space includes something that tells your story.
6. The subtle art through canvas and posters:
Let’s be honest, canvas and posters which reflect your personality are like threads that ties a whole place together, which is what has been done in Monica and Rachel’s apartment. Whether we’re talking about the poster behind the TV or the canvas in Monica’s room, it has constantly been a big hit in creating a cohesive look.
So don’t be afraid to experiment with canvas and posters. Choose a uniform canvas size that showcases your choice, along with infusing elements of fun!
7. Did you notice the amount of plants in Monica Gheller’s apartment?
We can’t stress enough how important it is to have plants in your space. Beyond just beautifying your home, plants improve air quality and bring a refreshing vibe to any room. The abundance of greenery in Monica Geller’s apartment is proof of the positive impact they can have. Here are some plant suggestions you can try adding to your own space:
- Sky Pencil
- Spider plant
- Snake plant
With these 7 tips, you can easily draw inspiration from the iconic Friends set and bring a bit of that charm into your own home. But before we bid our goodbyes, let’s settle a question that’s crossed everyone’s mind — How did Monica afford that apartment? Well, it turns out she got it through her grandmother’s rent-controlled lease. Mystery solved!