Forget Bette Davis' eyes, her 1950s living room features the romantic trend we're coveting for 2026 – it proves that floral curtains are truly timeless

Floral motifs have been integrated into fashion and design for millennia. Though the pattern fades in and out of style, it is an utterly timeless choice that will always add a welcoming, romantic feel to a room. For evidence, you needn't look further than Bette Davis's living room in the 1950s.

An archival image of the sitting room in the actress's Hollywood home shows that she has accessorized the home with one of 2025's biggest pattern trends, 75 years before it gained modern-day popularity. Her space features a white sofa with a floral print and white flowered curtains. They are the perfect complement to her white walls and wooden furniture.

Similar to Bette's space, using florals in 2025 is all about making a statement and tapping into nature's beauty.

Magdalena Gierasinska, design expert at Barker & Stonehouse shares: 'Don’t be afraid to experiment with bold colours and eye-catching patterns to bring the outside in this season. Whether you’re looking to create an attention-grabbing feature wall in an all-over floral print, or add simple botanical-inspired accessories, you will be surprised by how easy it is to incorporate florals into your living space.'

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To bring the pattern from the iconic actress's space into your own home, designers recommend integrating the ditsy print slowly.

Georgia Metcalfe, Founder & Creative Director at French Bedroom recommends: 'Chintz has that magical ability to bring visual sunlight and character to a room, but the key is to use it with intention. Start with smaller accents like a decorative cushion or a pretty pouffe to introduce its pattern gently. For something more dramatic, chintz works beautifully on a sweeping headboard, ruffled cushions or full-length curtains.'

She continues; 'I like to pick out the tones in the fabric and echo them through other details - think vintage-inspired ceramics, scalloped lampshades, or a soft velvet throw - to create a space that feels considered, romantic and utterly timeless.'

As seen in Bette Davis's living room, floral room decor doesn't have to be a maximalist exercise, as many assume. It's easy to make this look match with a more minimalist scheme.

Magdelena explains: 'If you wish to create a pared-back summer-inspired space, opt for smaller floral accessories such as patterned chairs or cushions and pair with neutral hues - an easy way to inject colour and pattern into your home.'

As the years go by, some prints remain constant, and the fresh beauty of florals will always be as fresh as the day they came to exist.