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Funny Girl Lea Michele reveals her daily pre-show routine – and her New York home's 'timeless' decor choices

The Broadway star's apartment is a masterclass in calming neutrals – creating a sanctuary above the city

Lea Michele
(Image credit: GettyImages)

Lea Michele has offered a look inside her New York City home – and it's a masterclass in styling modern neutrals. 

The actress, best known for Glee, shared a day in the life video with her followers – showcasing her routine as she stars in Funny Girl on Broadway. The footage features a look around her home (that famously once belonged to La La Anthony) before she steps out onto Manhatttan's streets and then, of course, the theater.

Though we're taking notes on everything Lea shares (from her skincare regime to her workout), we're slightly distracted by her home's timeless color palette – not least how she decorates with neutrals to make her urban home feel larger. 

@leamichele

A day in the life- two show day 😘

♬ Good Vibes (Instrumental) - Ellen Once Again

Starting in her neutral bedroom, which has light beige walls, cream cabinets, and light gray curtains that open to a view of the cityscape, Lea says: 'I'm pulling myself out of bed because I wish I could spend more time here right now, but I'm very grateful for my coffee.'

Flash forward to her making coffee with her Nespresso Vertuo (we've found her model below) in her white kitchen. This space features veined countertops, pure white walls, and a compact island overlooking the open-plan living room.  

The actress decorates her kitchen (and most other rooms) with glass vases – filled with giant allium and peonies (the latter of which she purchased in the video). 'These are the flowers; they look so nice. I put them all over the house,' she comments. 

Lea's use of white in her kitchen – and around her home – is both chic and timeless, but as architect and designer Beril Yilmaz explains, it's also a powerful way to make the urban space feel larger. 

'White is wonderful for producing an airy and expansive atmosphere in an open-plan setting. The color reflects light, making rooms appear larger than they are – ideal if you want to maximize space in your house,' Beril says. 

'Its sharpness can help make tiny spaces appear larger, creating the illusion of extra space without sacrificing functionality.'

Beril Yilmaz

Beril is an architect, designer, and founder of BY Design And Viz. She has worked on both interior and exterior projects around the UK, often focusing on modern-midcentury living rooms and white kitchens, much like Lea Michele's. 

Plus, functionality aside, the designer reminds us that whites and neutrals like those in Lea's apartment are failsafe – and sure to stand the test of time.

'White is a timeless color that will never go out of style, making it an excellent choice for any renovation,' she says. 'It can blend in with existing decor while standing and is incredibly versatile. It combines with various colors and materials, allowing designers to create a one-of-a-kind aesthetic that is customized to their client’s specific likes and preferences.'

Megan Slack
Head of Celebrity Style News

Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes, before becoming H&G's News Editor in April 2022. She now leads the Celebrity/ News team. Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US while studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site. She currently lives in London with her antique typewriter and an expansive collection of houseplants.