I won't sugarcoat it: I hate open concept living rooms. They tend to feel beige, and, frankly, devoid of personality. They lend themselves to minimal furnishings and often feel soullessly empty. This is distinctly not the case in Sir Anthony Hopkins's home.

The actor took to Instagram to share a dancing video, as he is wont to do, revealing his open layout living room in the process. Though it has classically modern wooden floors and white walls, Sir Anthony's space feels anything but boring. He has added height and interest to his white sofa with a sideboard stacked high with orchids. Large, colorful paintings fill the walls, warming the space.

As interior designers move away from open-plan layouts, Anthony's space is evidence for why we shouldn't count this setup out wholesale.

So, what makes the actor's take on open-plan living fly where so many have failed? First, it feels deeply personal. The large paintings on the wall are Anthony Hopkins originals. As we've often discussed at Homes & Gardens, design choices like this that transform the home into a biography of those who live there always create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The bright colors and flamboyant swirls are a celebration of their creator.

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As seen in Anthony Hopkins' living room, creating a perfect open concept space requires an artful interplay between unexpected pops of color and minimalism. The pairing of a white sofa with pretty red accents is the perfect place to start. These are our editor's picks.

Another color trick Anthony uses that makes his open plan design work well is the unexpected red theory. In the background, a set of bright red chairs contrast the white walls, and create interest agains the wooden floors. The way he has played with height using the sideboard and planter of orchids keeps these pops looking subtle and understated for an ultra-stylish design.

Seeing Anthony Hopkins's vibrant living room changed my position as an avid open plan hater, to more of an 'it depends' person. The space is a lesson in challenging preconceptions about what good design looks like. The truth is, the pieces in the room are ultimately what makes it.

'Dead spaces' have some of the biggest untapped potential in our houses. These underutilized spaces are often too small, oddly shaped, or dark to know exactly how to decorate, but when done right can bring a sense of completion and luxury to the home. Principal among these is the landing at the top of the stairs. Though these spaces add square footage to our homes, they are too often left undecorated. Sir Anthony Hopkins changes all of this.

We spotted the actor's landing idea in a recent Instagram post showing him dancing with fellow actor Ian McKellen at the top of his stairs. If it weren't for a glimpse of the banister, we would never have known it wasn't a living room. The warm neutral space has cream walls and cream curtains. A tan rug with a marble pedestal table and plant on top anchor the space. A crystal chandelier hangs down anchoring the space, echoing the crystal wall sconces on either side of the room.

Nina Lichtenstein, a Westchester-based interior designer lauds the way he has fixed dead space stating: 'Anthony Hopkins’s landing is a masterclass in the thoughtful use of symmetry and minimalism to transform a traditionally “dead” space into an area of quiet grandeur and visual harmony. By leaning into symmetry, the landing establishes a serene yet elevated ambiance that feels intentional rather than wasted.

The space becomes much more than a hallway. Lichtenstein continues, 'Hopkins’s landing is a striking example of how a space often neglected can become a centerpiece of the home. The use of different textiles – the softness of the rug against the crispness of the tiles, the flowing curtains, and the delicate table decor—creates layers of comfort without compromising the clean lines of the design. The chandelier and sconces provide just the right amount of visual drama, casting soft, candle-like light that heightens the elegance of the space.'

A huge reason the space works so well is the creamy landing color scheme. 'The large, airy space is defined by its clean, white palette, which extends from the walls to the floor tiles, creating a sense of openness and brightness,' says Lichtenstein.

She continues, 'Hopkins’s choice of ornate architectural details, like the molding and doorways, introduces a subtle elegance that prevents the space from feeling sterile. On the far wall, twin floor-length white curtains frame two large outdoor doors while matching doorways on either side of the landing maintain symmetry. These doorways are flanked by candle-like wall sconces, which tie seamlessly into the stunning crystal chandelier hanging overhead. This chandelier, with its candle-like bulbs, anchors the space while playing with texture and light.' Be sure to bypass the colors to avoid painting a landing.

The way Hopkins creates symmetry here is essential to the visual focus of the room. Portland-based interior designer Elissa Hall states: 'A table and statement light are natural focal points when used together because they create a layered visual interest. I recommend using a table with sculptural or artisanal qualities—something that feels tactile and intentional. Pair it with a bold light fixture overhead, such as a chandelier or pendant light that contrasts with the neutrality of the landing. The juxtaposition of light and table provides both functionality and visual weight to the space.'

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Luckily, Hopkins's landing lighting idea is easy to recreate. Hall advises: 'To replicate the look from the Instagram post, start by focusing on symmetry and simplicity. Use neutral tones for the base—soft beige or light gray walls—and introduce a few standout elements like a clean-lined console table and an oversized mirror or art piece. You can then add a pop of personality with statement lighting and a few curated accessories. Keep in mind the power of balance: the large, bold light fixture from the post is perfectly countered by the quiet elegance of the landing’s simplicity. I suggest looking for understated yet striking fixtures, which are often found at artisan shops or vintage stores, to give the space an authentic and lived-in feel.'

Transforming spaces in your home with design is a wonderful way to expand and take advantage of the full potential of the house.

There is no 'one-size-fits-all' approach to interior design. Though trends, rules, and inspirational images can be an excellent jumping-off point, at the end of the day design needs to reflect the homeowner's tastes. Sir Anthony Hopkins' unique art wall perfectly shows how relying on individual likes pays off.

The Academy Award-winning actor took to Instagram with a touching video about the meaning of life, but we couldn't help but get distracted by the beautiful gallery wall behind him. 

In Hopkins's living room/studio space, acrylic paintings center against warm white walls. His wall features one extra large painting surrounded by several smaller paintings. All of the art is unframed, and mounted at irregular intervals.

Those who know Hopkins for his performances in films such as Thor and Silence of the Lambs may be surprised to learn that the paintings are actually a Do-It-Yourself. In addition to his prolific acting career, Anthony Hopkins is an increasingly established painter. Rather than following a formal style, Hopkins paints freely based on inspiration that comes to him, to the delight of his large following on TikTok and Instagram.

'Painting is something I really enjoy, like playing the piano. I have a lot of fun with it. I just paint for the sheer enjoyment of it,' Hopkins told ArtNet in 2020. This creative, free-flowing love of painting is exactly what makes Anthony Hopkins' paintings the perfect living room wall decor for his home. It's an interior scheme guided by passion and creativity, rather than rotely following a trend.

Following a passion is a proven way to create a timeless interior design scheme that will never date. Jennifer Ebert, trends expert and digital editor at Homes & Gardens states: 'When someone designs a space with their heart, you can always feel that in the room. Even if it has less broad appeal, this passion goes a long way to making a space look classic. In Anthony Hopkins' living room, the uniqueness and individuality shines through for a calming, bold, and polished feel.'

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If you can't paint yourself, there are thousands of interesting original works from artists all over the world on resale sites like 1stDibs and Chairish. You can choose to frame these works or arrange them in an informal manner inspired by Anthony Hopkins.

Interior design is not a prescriptive process. Instead, it must be guided by an individual's personal tastes, style, and inspirations. Hopkins's living room exemplifies this idea, which will hopefully become a growing trend in coming years.

One of the only things more delightful than Anthony Hopkins himself is his Instagram page, and we are particularly inspired by a video of him playing piano. 

While his musical skills are evident, it's what's behind him that struck us – a gorgeous garden, peacefully within view behind a glass wall, mirrored by an adjacent, large nature-inspired painting. 

Creating a flow between indoor and outdoor living areas can make a space feel harmonious, balanced, and incredibly pleasing to look at. If you have any sort of outdoor space that you want to emphasize, it's best to accent their features – and designers agree.

‘Do you overlook magnificent countryside, an eye-catching coastline, a great garden or patio area? Work around these stunning views,' says designer Tom Howley. 'Make use of windows to frame landscapes and install sliding glass or bi-fold doors along the full width of your living space to fully open up and extend your home. If you have a dining zone, place your seating and table accordingly to take advantage of the impressive view.' 

According to Tom, the key to this blend is actually in spaces from one another.

‘If you love socializing or have a large family, create separate zones for relaxing, eating, and entertaining. A chill-out zone outdoors with comfortable, waterproof seating is a great idea for children,' he explains. 'Where creating an idyllic zen reading corner with woven chairs and moody outdoor lighting is ideal for relaxing at the weekend.’ 

Short on space? Isabel Fernandez, Director at Quorn Stone, recommends merging your kitchen and garden by extending your indoor flooring onto courtyards and patios, ‘to give the illusion of more space, we recommend going with a larger paver size such as 900 x 600 or 800 x 800,' she says.

'The larger the paver, the less grout, and therefore, it helps to create a seamless space that isn’t broken up by numerous grout lines. We also recommend choosing a grout color that is a close color match to the paver itself – again, this helps the grout to blend in with the pavers and gives the illusion of a larger area,' she explains.

We've curated a few items to create the zen-like quality that Tom talks about (and which Anthony seems to have achieved already).

The open-plan Vs broken-plan debate will always divide designers, and for a good reason. Both layouts have their benefits, and often, the answer depends entirely on the room in question. However, it is possible to simultaneously enjoy the advantages of both designs with the right planning – something Anthony Hopkins has mastered in his Pacific Palisades abode. 

In his home, the actor uses bi-folding doors to create a private sitting area that's separate from his open-plan living space. When the doors are open, as seen in the footage, the area feels like a part of the room as a whole – but this is changeable in seconds. 

Should Anthony want to enjoy the benefits of a broken-plan living room, the sliding doors offer almost instant privacy and the sense of a different 'zone' that, experts say, is desired in a modern-day home. 

'Our priorities when it comes to personal spaces have changed. Where once a large, uninterrupted ground floor was at the top of every homeowner's wish list, it's now more about how we can cleverly use the large open space, splitting it into different areas for cooking, eating, working, and relaxing,' comments Matt Baker, a designer at Harvey Jones.

The solution? A broken-plan layout that strikes the perfect balance between open-plan and separate rooms. There are numerous ways to achieve this, but bi-folding doors, much like Anthony's, are perhaps the most impactful solution. 

'It retains the openness and lightness that make open-plan layouts so appealing whilst introducing partitions that don't obstruct but still separate areas. It allows for different zones to give more privacy and serve a clearer purpose.'

As suggested, bi-folding doors allow us to break our living space into separate sections, but there are accessible alternatives, including freestanding furniture. We love the idea of using a bookcase (or multiple bookshelves) to make an area feel enclosed – or, for an intricate alternative, we could use a room divider (with an ornate pattern to make our space even more beautiful). 

'If you're creating your broken-plan space from scratch, rather than knocking out entire walls, use them to create half walls. You could also consider integrating different floor heights to create a raised kitchen or sunken living area.'

Bi-folding doors ahead, we're zoning our open-plan spaces with these room dividers, handpicked below.