10 Ways to Style Your House Like It’s Straight Out of Friends

The apartments in Friends were far from minimalist. They were colorful, mismatched, and filled with character. Monica’s purple walls and oversized art, Joey and Chandler’s recliners, even Central Perk’s eclectic style—it all added up to a cozy, lived-in look.

If you want your home to feel like it belongs on that set, the trick is to lean into personality, comfort, and a little chaos that still somehow works together.

Go Bold With Wall Color

Monica’s purple apartment walls were practically a character on their own. If you’re ready to commit, painting your living room or kitchen a bold shade instantly channels that vibe.

Not feeling purple? Bright teal, deep green, or even mustard yellow can create the same effect. Pair it with neutral furniture to keep it from overwhelming the room.

Oversized Art and Posters

Posters, framed prints, and quirky wall décor filled every apartment. Big art makes even small spaces feel lived-in and personal.

Look for vintage movie posters, bold canvas prints, or framed thrift-store finds. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s about showing personality through what’s on the walls.

Mix-and-Match Furniture

Nothing matched perfectly in the Friends apartments. That mix made them feel real, not staged.

Don’t be afraid to pair a vintage coffee table with a modern couch or a thrifted armchair. As long as it’s comfortable and functional, it works.

Central Perk-Inspired Seating

The big orange sofa at Central Perk is iconic. You can capture that vibe by making seating the focus of your living room.

Choose one oversized, colorful couch and surround it with mismatched chairs. It instantly creates a welcoming hangout spot.

Open Kitchen Shelving

Monica’s kitchen had everything on display—dishes, mugs, even food containers. Open shelving creates that same casual, practical feel.

It works best if you stick to colorful or coordinated dishware so it looks intentional instead of messy.

Quirky Accessories

The picture frame around Monica’s door peephole, Joey’s white dog statue, and Phoebe’s unique lamps all added character.

Adding one or two quirky décor pieces in your home makes it feel instantly more like the set.

Layered Rugs

Rugs were everywhere, often layered. It added warmth and texture, especially in open spaces.

Use one large neutral rug as the base and layer smaller, patterned ones on top to get that cozy, eclectic look.

Kitchen Table as a Hub

The kitchen table was where everything happened, from breakfasts to arguments. Keeping a table front and center in your kitchen gives your home that same energy.

A round wooden table with mismatched chairs captures the look perfectly.

Cozy Lighting

Floor lamps, table lamps, and string lights made the apartments feel warm. Overhead lighting wasn’t the focus.

Scatter a few different light sources throughout your space so the glow feels layered and cozy.

Embrace the Messy-Casual Look

The Friends apartments never looked showroom-perfect. A stack of books on the coffee table, pillows in different patterns, or a throw tossed over the arm of a chair made them feel authentic.

Lean into that casual styling so your space feels relaxed and lived-in.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.