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If you’re a character in a Nancy Meyers movie, you don’t make big life decisions at the office or in the company of friends. You ruminate in solitude from the comfort of your tub. It’s easy to completely overlook the bathrooms in Meyers’s films, mostly because we only get to see snippets of them, even in favorites like The Holiday, The Intern, and It’s Complicated. But when you take a moment to hit pause, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how many good design ideas are hiding out in these über-simple spaces, especially if you’re planning a renovation on a tight budget. Here are seven details we always notice.
A Claw-Foot Tub
Forgo fancy jets for a vintage-looking tub that’s just small enough so you can turn the tap on and off by wiggling your toes. Many of the claw-foot tubs in Meyers’s movies remind us of ones we’ve seen in designer Leanne Ford’s projects. In true Meyers style, Ford will often complete the scene with a tub filler that’s got a hand-shower attachment.
Shelves Stacked With Bubble Bath Supplies
No one thinks of themselves as the loofah-using type until you actually own one. Meyers’s characters always keep one in easy reach, along with an assortment of sponges and soaps. Set up a station on a simple metal shelf or tray where you can corral all your little bath time luxuries.
A Freestanding Vanity Table
You don’t need to construct a custom vanity to sneak more storage into your bathroom. A small dresser, chest, or nightstand should provide enough space for overflow products and extra linens next to a pedestal sink.
A Harlequin Patterned Floor
The classic pattern pops up in It’s Complicated in the form of tile, but if you prefer a low-lift DIY, peep the cozy Cottswolds bathroom in The Holiday, where the black squares are painted on the floor. An even simpler way to get this look? A washable rug that bears the design.
Glowy Light in the Form of Lamps and Candles
Harsh overheads have no place in a Nancy Meyers living room or bedroom, so of course the bathroom is no different. Take a cue from The Parent Trap—a table lamp is handy to have around if you plan on reading during your soak.
Framed Art
If your bathroom walls aren’t swathed in stone or tile, add some interest to them with framed photographs. The works themselves don’t have to be precious if you’re concerned about moisture damage, they should just feel personal.
Neutral Linens
You can’t talk about Nancy Meyers–inspired interiors without touching on linen. When it comes to the bathroom, think: sheer white window treatments and brown-beige shower curtains that check both the privacy and warmth boxes.