I'm a Strict Minimalism Lover, and Brie Larson's Wooden Living Room Just Showed Me How to Make Cool Neutrals Remarkably Feel Warm
In all its beauty, a minimalist aesthetic can risk feeling cold and unwelcoming – in Brie's living room, it's the opposite
I'll talk about how much I adore minimalist interiors at any given opportunity. Soft creams, cool whites, and pared-back furnishings are always at the top of my decorating agenda, but I will always be the first to admit that they can risk feeling somewhat flat (and, at worst, unwelcoming). In Brie Larson's home, however, this couldn't be further from the truth.
In her minimalist living room, Brie has paired a light gray and cream sofa with off-white paint and a neutral rug, but the result is anything but vanilla. The secret is in her wood paneling.
At a glance, the wooden ceiling paneling brings a ranch-style aesthetic to her living space, but, most crucially, it introduces warmth and texture that bring her otherwise neutral palette alive.
Admittedly, installing new wooden panels in your living room is no quick (or affordable) job, but we can take lessons from Brie's space that are almost as powerful yet more replicable.
Her living room reinforces the power of wood, especially when paired with minimalist furnishings, and we can follow suit with wooden accessories of our own. I particularly love this chic bowl from Crate & Barrel. It's officially a serving bowl, but I'd style it on a coffee table alongside some art books to keep your living room layered and personal.
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I love the unique style of this ecological piece, perfect for practical and artistic use. It'll impress in every space, but looks best in a minimalist living room (like Brie's).
Made from natural Acacia wood and cork, this set of four coasters nests into each other when not in use and would work perfectly for little matching trinket trays.
Handcrafted from natural wood, this round serving bowl brings warmth and timeless style to your living room. Its generous size also makes it perfect for serving fresh salads, fruits, or snacks with elegance. Its uses are truly endless.
These wooden trays look beautiful atop every coffee table, console, or countertop. It's the perfect place to store accessories in any neutral living room.
The best accessories are as beautiful as they are functional. In this case, richly grained acacia wood becomes a smooth, sculptural serving essential. It's naturally suited to everyday use, entertaining or artful display.
This teakwood vase started life as a dairy vessel and now makes an elegant addition to a living room corner. Wooden tones add warmth and patina, and they're a mainstay in ranch-style homes like Brie's.
The unique warmth from Brie's wooden ceiling is reason enough to introduce earthier pieces to your living room. However, if you need more convincing, Bo Hellberg, the CMO at String Furniture, reassures us that it's right on trend for the year ahead.
'In 2026, warmer, earthy tones are set to make a comeback, bringing a grounded and cosy element to interior spaces,' he says.
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'Expect to see rich, inviting colors like warm wood accents, including walnut, oak, and pine, all contributing to a sense of comfort and sophistication. This trend steers away from stark contrasts, embracing a tone-on-tone approach or even colour drenching, where a single colour family is used across a room to create cohesion and a welcoming atmosphere. This palette and approach reflect a desire for spaces that feel both luxurious and approachable, inviting people to relax and recharge at home.' If there's ever a time to bookmark Brie's space as a beautiful blueprint, it's now.

Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens, where she leads the celebrity/ news team. She has a history in interior design, travel, and news journalism, having lived and worked in New York, Paris, and, currently, London. Megan has bylines in Livingetc, The Telegraph, and IRK Magazine, and has interviewed the likes of Drew Barrymore, Ayesha Curry, Michelle Keegan, and Tan France, among others. She lives in a London apartment with her antique typewriter and an eclectic espresso cup collection, and dreams of a Kelly Wearstler-designed home.