From the interiors of Gilmore Girls to Bridget Jones's Diary to the sets on Friends, there is something tantalizingly cozy about the aesthetics of the early 2000s. This era represents a simpler time of intentional clutter, layered textiles, and pattern-drenching. As nostalgia brings these styles back to the forefront for 2026, we're turning to the interiors of the 2000s for inspiration.
Take Olivia Newton-John's living room in 2002. In a tour of the actor's French Style home near Byron Bay, Australia, she revealed a seemingly disparate collection of object: a glass and ceramic side table, a wicker lamp, and a gorgeous floral sofa. A red ashtray (similar to this gorgeous fluted glass dish from Etsy) brings a touch of color to the side of the room.
Overall, Olivia Newton-John's rom-com aesthetic living room a masterclass in the most important lesson from the 2000s - that layering makes any interior feel inviting. This technique works because it makes a home feel authentically lived in.
To tap into this eclectic warmth, Claudia Kampmann, Europe Brand Manager at Ruggable, recommends embracing busyness.
She advises: 'Think an eclectic mix of patterns, bookshelves filled with your favourite novels, and trinkets you’ve picked up from travels or local antique stores. Pinterest searches for ‘cluttercore’ have been steadily rising again over the past few months, showing that the interest in lived-in, messy homes is here to stay.' Olivia Newton-John embraces this look with a combination of wicker and floral fabric.
Recreate Olivia's Look At Home
An Anthropologie exclusive, this traditional sofa silhouette has been reimagined in a maximalist House of Hackney floral design for a striking statement piece.
If you want to experiment with Olivia's style without investing in such a statement piece, this cushion is the solution. It features a bold watercolor floral print on soft linen from Covington Fabric and exhibits beautiful tonal red and green flowers.
Make a statement in your living space with this beautiful, blue-and-white chintz sofa, which features elegant, gold legs and super comfortable cushions. It's a modern coastal take on Blanco's look.
Lighting is one of my favorite ways to bring rattan into a room. I have already switched every lampshade in my home to some variation of rattan, so adding in some smaller accent lighting would work beautifully. These would look lovely as bedside lights or to create some symmetry on a console table.
Elevate both the geometric charm and serene vibe of your space with the Pelleas end table. Crafted in Vietnam, this bohemian-inspired piece features a sleek metal frame elegantly wrapped in natural seagrass, blending style and tranquility effortlessly.
Add an earthy, natural accent to your home with this beautiful bowl. Featuring a round shape, scalloped rim, and footed base, this dark walnut bowl combines elegance with rustic charm. I'll be placing mine on the island or countertop and filling it with oranges over Christmas.
As the rattan lamp on Olivia Newton-John's side table indicates, warm lighting is equally important for tapping into 2026's most nostalgic trend.
Claudia explains: 'When it comes to creating a cosy atmosphere, lighting is everything - and yes, that means the big light stays firmly off. Instead, embrace a layered approach to lighting, scattering lamps throughout their spaces to achieve a warm, lived-in glow. Think small retro lamps brightening bedside tables, oversized shades in living rooms, and vintage-inspired sconces to add character and chaos to hallways. The goal is to create a home in which soft ambient light takes centre stage.'
Nostalgia is dominating the discussion around interiors, and to create beautiful nostalgic spaces, we must look to the past. Using spaces actually decorated in the early 2000s gives realistic, stylish and covetable ideas.
