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

Brie Larson
(Image credit: GettyImages)

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.

Shop the wooden living room edit

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.

'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 Slack
Head of Celebrity Style News

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.