I’ve spent more time than I care to admit pausing Nancy Meyers movies to get a good glimpse at the interiors. And lately, it’s the bathrooms I keep going back to. Managing to feel lived-in yet still polished, these are the kind of spaces that make you want to draw a bath, light a candle, and stay a while.
So you won’t be surprised that it’s the Nancy Meyers aesthetic that I’m trying to recreate in my bathroom remodel. While no two Meyers movie bathrooms are exactly the same – there’s a vast difference in size and vibes between the bijoux bathroom in The Holiday vs Anne Hathaway’s Brooklyn-based suite in The Intern – but they all share a sense of softness, timelessness, and a layered, vintage bathroom charm that’s hard to fake.
But how, exactly, do you bring that Nancy Meyers bathroom feeling into your own home? According to the experts, it’s not just about adding a clawfoot tub (though those certainly feature heavily in the best interiors from movies). Here, I break down the best tips and all the key elements that can help turn your bathroom into something straight out of a Meyers movie set.
How to make your bathroom feel like something out of a Nancy Meyers movie
(Image credit: Alamy / It’s Complicated)
To me, there’s something deeply aspirational yet still attainable about the bathroom ideas in Nancy Meyers’ movies. Full of feeling, character, and comfort, there isn’t a particularly distant style that runs throughout her movies, but a sense of coziness that they bring to the on-screen character.
‘Nancy Meyers is renowned for her effortlessly chic and welcoming interiors, where every detail feels intentional yet approachable,’ adds designer Becky Shea. ‘Her signature style translates beautifully into bathroom design, offering an opportunity to create a serene retreat that exudes quiet luxury with a soft, feminine touch.’
In The Holiday, Iris’s cottage bathroom is charmingly rustic, with exposed beams, antique-style fixtures, and a teeny tiny freestanding bathtub tucked beneath a stone-clad window – the perfect spot for ruminating on one’s life choices with a glass in hand.
In It’s Complicated, Meryl Streep’s bathroom might also have a tub, but the similarities end there. Instead, this space is breezy and elegant, with subway tiles and a garden view that makes it feel almost spa-like. Then there’s Anne Hathaway’s bathroom in The Intern – still clean and classic, yet a little more modern, with crisp tiling, polished brass, and panelled walls.
Each bathroom feels different, yet unmistakably “Meyers”: light-filled, layered, and livable. Here’s how to achieve that look in your own home.
1. Stick to a natural yet neutral palette
(Image credit: BC Designs)
One thing is immediately obvious about a Nancy Meyers movie bathroom: the color palettes must be calm, classic, and quiet. Think neutral bathroom ideas with soft, earthy tones and accents of color. I always think of Nancy Meyers’ bathrooms as tonal, but never boring.
Grazzie Wilson, head of creative at Ca’ Pietra, says: ‘Nancy Meyers-inspired bathrooms are a masterclass in creating spaces that feel timeless, inviting, and effortlessly chic. The use of neutral tones, such as soft whites, creams, and taupe, serves as the perfect backdrop for natural materials that ground the space and add warmth.’
‘For the walls, I typically lean toward crisp, clean tones like White Dove by Benjamin Moore,’ suggests Becky Shea. ‘It’s a soft white with subtle warmth that keeps the space from feeling stark or clinical, which is key in creating a comfortable, inviting atmosphere. The overall effect is a harmonious blend of timeless materials and understated elegance, perfect for a space where you can unwind and feel refreshed – exactly the kind of refined yet livable design Nancy Meyers is celebrated for.’
2. Squeeze in a freestanding tub
(Image credit: Studio Duggan)
If there’s one true hallmark of a Nancy Meyers bathroom, it’s the freestanding tub. Whether it’s the famous clawfoot one in the rustic bathroom from The Holiday or the more modern slipper tub in The Intern, Meyers loves a bathtub scene.
‘This style of bathroom embodies a refined sense of luxury, with a careful selection of high-end materials that create an air of timeless elegance,’ says Barrie Cutchie, design director at BC Designs. ‘Central to these spaces is the inclusion of freestanding baths, which serve as the focal point of relaxation and indulgence.’
‘It is also important to consider what the baths are made from, choosing materials such as tin or antiqued copper, both of which add a touch of vintage charm,’ he suggests. ‘Other premium finishes for baths include solid surface, which can be made using natural minerals, which means the bath remains warm to touch, even when not in use, and so provides a much more relaxing bathing experience.’
Even if your space is tight, there’s often a clever way to fit one in by repositioning other fixtures or opting for a more compact model. Acting as a focal point to the space, a tub can then be styled up with a stool, a candle, a book, and a glass of wine.
3. Try out terracotta or natural stone tile
(Image credit: Ca Pietra / Crack The Shutters / Photography Chris Snook)
Even in the most minimalist bathrooms in her movies, there is nothing overtly modern or cold about these spaces, thanks to the soft color palette, styling, and use of natural materials and textures.
Take the worn, aged stone in Meryl Streep’s bathroom in It’s Complicated; while at first it appears to be simple gray tile, it is in fact a muted natural stone checkerboard that gives the spaces a sense of lived-in, quiet charm that reflects the characters themselves. Naturally, it is all about storytelling.
Grazzie is also a fan of trying out terracotta tiles in a bathroom. ‘Terracotta tiles, with their rich, earthy hue and textured surface, offer a tactile contrast that not only brings color and depth to the room but also evokes a sense of organic luxury,’ she explains.
‘When paired with marble accents, such as when used as countertops on vanity units or bathroom shelf ideas, the space achieves an elegant balance between raw and refined. Together, these elements embody the effortless elegance seen in Nancy Meyers’ films, transforming the bathroom into a serene retreat that feels both timeless and deeply personal.’
4. Introduce a warm wooden vanity
(Image credit: Peter Dunham)
Whether it’s a vintage dresser-turned-vanity or a classic Shaker-style cabinet in a painted oak finish, the presence of a wooden bathroom vanity adds depth and softness that no glossy white unit ever could.
‘Styling the bathroom extends beyond material choice and leans into the art of comfort and subtle luxury. Bespoke vanity units, often crafted from rich woods or custom finishes, provide both practical storage and a bespoke feel,’ says Barrie.
Even if you’re working with a brand-new bathroom, adding wood gives it a sense of permanence and patina. It grounds the space and adds a note of elegance that feels both relaxed and elevated.
‘To achieve that quintessential Nancy Meyers aesthetic, I love incorporating natural oak for cabinetry or accents, paired with burnished brass fixtures that add warmth and sophistication,’ adds Becky. ‘Marble is another must-have – whether on countertops, floors, or shower walls – providing a timeless and elegant foundation.’
5. Finish the look by styling with collected pieces
(Image credit: Becky Shea Design / Photography Jake Shea)
‘Any time you’re hoping to channel Nancy Meyers in your home decor, lived-in luxury is the name of the game,’ advises designer Kathy Kuo. Never sterile or over-designed, these bathrooms are filled with characterful touches that feel as though they’ve been gathered over time.
‘For a Nancy Meyers-worthy bathroom, invest in super-luxe towels and linens, a soothing scented candle, and meaningful wall art. An antiqued mirror is also a nice touch that I can totally envision on-set in The Holiday or It’s Complicated,’ she adds.
It’s the small, collected pieces that bring the bathroom to life. In my own bathroom, I sourced a few vintage finds, including a small oil painting and a French bobbin stool to place next to my tub.
‘Towels and fabric blinds will bring softness and warmth to the room,’ adds Barrie. ‘Accents like woven baskets, fresh flowers, and carefully placed artwork add an inviting, lived-in quality while maintaining an overall sense of refinement.’
Shop the Nancy Meyers’ bathroom aesthetic
Braided Accent Table Walnut
While Target might not be the brand that first springs to mind here, Shea McGee has designed a whole host of vintage-inspired pieces for her Threshold™ designed with Studio McGee range, including this just-launched twisted stool, perfect for placing next to your bathtub.
Floating Metal Frame Wall Mirror
Designed to look like an antique piece, this floating frame mirror from West Elm adds a beautifully understated yet still ornate feel to your bathroom vanity. Just add some scones on either side for extra ambiance.
Faux Composed Green Snowball Arrangement
I’m a fan of florals (real or faux) in a bathroom, and to truly get the Nancy Meyers look, I’m shopping for a bunch of everlasting hydrangeas. While you can certainly find cheaper alternatives, this arrangement from Pottery Barn looks as fresh as the real thing.
Rivers 40” Single Bathroom Vanity with Carrara Marble Top
If you’re looking for the best places to buy bathroom vanities, Wayfair is one of my top recommendations. You can shop a wide range of brands, sizes, and styles, but I particularly love this one from Birch Lane that is designed with a Carrara marble top and rustic wooden base.
Diptyque Roses Scented Oval
To create a luxurious, zen-like feeling in your bathroom, you want to introduce some fresh, natural scents. Diptyque’s products feel like something you’d find in a 5* hotel, and this scented pendant is perfect for hanging on a towel hook to provide a heady mix of rose and geranium.
Peri Home Scallop Cotton Hand Towel
Classic white hotel-style towels are going to be a must here, but they don’t have to be boring. Made from 100% cotton, these fluffy towels are finished with a dainty scallop for a bit of cottagecore style.
With the right finishes, a soft palette, and a few collected pieces, your bathroom can feel just as charming and soul-soothing as any Nancy Meyers movie set. And if you’re looking to be further inspired, take the Nancy Meyers aesthetic throughout your entire home with our guides to Nancy Meyers living room ideas, Nancy Meyers inspired kitchen ideas, and Nancy Meyers inspired bedroom ideas.
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