Aubrey Plaza's minimalist living room is 'warm and peaceful' thanks to this natural flooring choice

The actress's space shows that sparse interiors are anything but boring – and it all begins with her flooring

Aubrey Plaza
(Image credit: Getty Images)

If someone were to ask you what colors come to mind when you think of minimalist style, some combination of neutrals would likely come into conversation. White, gray, beige, cream. But minimalist interiors don't have to be monochromatic, and Aubrey Plaza's living room is the perfect example.

The actress's minimalist living room idea is sparse but alive with color. Notable features include an orange cushioned bench, a brown leather pouf, and a sculptural sling chair that add dimension to the room. Her whole space is pulled together by beautifully detailed natural wood flooring.

'The wood elements create a warm atmosphere that is welcoming and peaceful,' states Karen Loc, NYC-based interior designer at Lore Design of Aubrey's living room flooring

She continues: 'It connects with the outside views of nature, bringing balance and calm to Aubrey's space. The dark knots are like beauty marks from the tree; the wood came from where branches once grew. This gives greater depth and richness to the flooring and showcases the simple elegance and uniqueness of this natural material.'

karen loc of lore design inc.
Karen Loc

Karen Loc is the interior designer and founder of Lore Design Inc. where she shows nervous renovators that designing a home can be fun and painless. She brings a fresh perspective to classic design that is tailored for modern living. Karen is located in New York City and has worked for world renowned designers and brands like Adam Tihany, Rafael Vinoly, and Morgan Stanley.

Aside from the hardwood flooring, the mid-century modern decor in Aubrey's home also makes an impact. NYC-based interior designer Jove Meyer states: 'Aubrey Plaza's living room is minimally styled so that she perhaps can bring the flair! I love the dried tree branch that stands tall in her living room; I hope she found it on a hike and brought it home! The juxtaposition of that branch and the beautiful mid-century carved wood and leather chair with the faded pouf gives us a very relaxed environment, with a touch of bohemian energy.'

jove meyer of jove meyer designs
Jove Meyer

Jove Meyer crafts a vivid, colorful world inspired by his clients who dare to be different. Meyer set out to build a global design firm antithetical to his conservative and rigid upbringing by encouraging authenticity, celebrating diversity, and empowering marginalized communities. As a result, his work has been featured in Domino, Good Morning America, The Magnolia Network, The New York Times, Rachael Ray Magazine.

He continues: 'The warm wooden floors and clean white walls bring everything together; the sparse design allows each piece to shine and provides extra space for her pup!'

Interior designers also love the pops of color in Aubrey's minimalist living room. Karen says, 'The orange upholstery and textured pillows are lively eye-catching accents that brighten the mood of the room. It's a fun and playful counterbalance to more tranquil elements. Vibrant colors like orange and yellow enhance the feeling of lightness and bring a soft glow when used near a window that gets a lot of natural light like Aubrey's space.'

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Interior design in 2024 is all about celebrating your tastes, and turning minimalism colorful is the perfect example. With a few orange cushions and a lot of natural wood, this scheme becomes instantly warm and welcoming.

Sophie Edwards
News Editor

Sophie is a London-based News Editor at Homes & Gardens, where she works on the Celebrity Style team. She is fascinated by the intersection of design and popular culture and is particularly excited when researching trends or interior history. Sophie is an avid pop culture fan. As an H&G editor, she has interviewed the likes of Martha Stewart, Hilary Duff, and the casts of Queer Eye and Selling Sunset. Before joining Future Publishing, Sophie worked as the Head of Content and Communications at Fig Linens and Home, a boutique luxury linens and furniture brand. She has also written features on exciting developments in the design world for Westport Magazine. Sophie has an MSc from the Oxford University Department of Anthropology and a BA in Creative Writing and Sociology from Sarah Lawrence College.