Even a murder mystery can offer us decor inspiration, especially when we’re talking about decor ideas inspired by Knives Out!
“Physical evidence can tell a clear story with a forked tongue.”
A murder mystery is all about the plot and the characters, how everything comes together to weave a tale of suspense and thrill. However, Knives Out proves that a murder mystery movie can do more – it can also offer us loads of decor inspiration!
Released in 2019, the movie is about how a detective, Benoit Blanc, solves the murder of a rich and famous author, Harlan Thrombey. Harlan’s mansion is the setting of the crime, and the movie.
The grand Victorian house that we see in the movie is actually the Ames Mansion in Easton, Massachusetts, which was built in the early 1900s. In the movie, it is said that Harlan buys the mansion from a Pakistani millionaire in the 1980s. With so much interesting history, it’s sure that the interiors of the mansion are just as captivating!
Decor Ideas Inspired by Knives Out
If you’ve seen the movie, you know that the center point of the mystery is Harlan’s attic study, which is also the coolest room in the house. In fact, production designer David Crank and set decorator David Schlesinger planned the layout in such a way that as you moved up, the house got weirder and weirder, which also translates into more interesting!
The house itself is constructed in the Queen Anne style of architecture, and the interiors are decorated in a dark academia style that gives old money vibes. Let’s take a look at how you can create the same aesthetic, albeit on a budget!
Dark wood elements
There is an unmistakable moody feel throughout the house, and that’s thanks to the dark wood used everywhere – in furniture, flooring, panelling and wainscotting. Dark wood is often associated with old money, since older wood tends to be of darker shades.
You can get the same look without a lot of money – old or new! Furniture in Wenge or Black Walnut is perfect for that moody vibe, and you can also add some DIY wood flooring in a darker color. Get mirrors or picture frames in dark wood to bring out the dark academia feel.
Leather chairs
Few things scream opulence like leather does, especially when it covers large surfaces like chairs and couches. Harlan’s mansion has leather armchairs in nearly every room – office, study and bedroom. They’re in different colors too – brown, black and even a beautiful olive green.
Leather is an excellent material that stands the test of time, as it ages beautifully. Yes, leather furniture is expensive, but that’s why they’re heirlooms and lasts so long. With the right maintenance, you can ensure your leather chair boosts your decor quotient for generations!
Styled bookshelves
Harlan Thrombey is a famous writer, so it’s natural that he’ll have lots of books in his library. But that’s not all; his bookshelves are styled in a very unique way, with unexpected decor items and odd combinations.
If you’ve still got your old encyclopedia, now’s the time to take it out and set it up on your bookshelf! Look at the bindings of your books and arrange them accordingly. You may also be able to find some vintage books at a secondhand shop or flea market. Mix in some unique decor bits and other odds and ends to add interest.
Plush carpets
Nearly every room in the Thrombey mansion has a large carpet covering a major area of the floor, and since the rooms are so big, you can guess that the carpets are pretty expensive. Each carpet has its own pattern and color that matches the vibe of the room it is in.
Harlan’s carpets aren’t completely covered in furniture; the design of the carpet is visible and exposed. Even if you can’t get a large carpet right now, look for one with character, ideally one that is handmade. A smaller one like that is worth much more than a plain, generic rug that’s larger.
Heavy drapes
Dark academia vibes don’t go with light sheers and sunny windows – we want something that keeps the light out! Heavy drapes in fabrics like velvet or something similar are great, and they also have a luxurious feel that screams wealth.
The color also plays a role in creating the right mood – skip bright colors or funky prints. Choose dark colors like maroon, brown, navy or even black, and if you are going for patterns, let it be something quite small and subtle.
Patterned furnishings
While everything described so far seems to have a dark, gloomy vibe, one place the Thrombeys have infused some fun is in their furnishings. They’ve used fun florals and geometric patterns in their upholstery, while using Aztec prints on cushions. However, they have taken care not to mix it up – the patterned couch is bare, while the neutral couch is dressed up with the patterned cushions.
Pin-up notes
Harlan is a writer and we see him making notes – even when he may have been poisoned! As a result, his workspace has lots of post-its and bits of paper pinned up, arranged in a color-coordinated manner. It goes on to show how organized Harlan was!
On the other hand, Harlan’s door is another matter altogether. It’s got diagrams, photographs and posters, and these are in no particular order, which speaks of the thought process of a creative mind. We have to assume that the anatomy diagrams are for his murder stories – why else would they be up there?
Classic board games
Harlan’s Go board plays an important role in the story, when it gets toppled during Harlan and Marta’s game. But that’s not the only board game on display – chessboards are also found at different spots in the mansion. This is a great addition since it shows how each side makes a move forward till one ultimately wins.
This is an easy decor idea to implement in your space – but try to get classic game boards made of natural materials like wood or marble to fit the vibe you’re going for. Avoid the bright colored, plastic versions – they look too cheap.
Unique 3D art
Ah, we come to the pièce de résistance – the Wheel of Knives! This art installation forms the backdrop for all the interrogation scenes and occupies center space during the climax. There are other 3D art pieces that are a part of the story, like the Stash Clock – the clock with a secret drawer and that has a figure saying ‘Shhh’.
There are many other sculptures throughout the Thrombey home, ranging from the weird to the macabre. We can assume that many of these have been collected during the family’s travels over the years. The art pieces are styled on every available surface – desks, mantlepieces, bookshelves, end tables, coffee tables and more.drawer
Puppets and automatons
Harlan seems to be a person interested in magic, puppetry and automatons – he was a man of many fancies! As a result, you’ll find vintage magic-themed posters, old-fashioned puppets and puppet theaters, as well as strange-looking mechanical figures.
You may not have such an eclectic collection, but you can decorate with whatever collection you have – ceramic figures, old music boxes or vintage candlesticks.
Dollhouses and dioramas
One very interesting thing we see in Harlan’s home is the collection of dioramas and dollhouses. He has arranged the dioramas to showcase crime scenes – yes, it is morbid! But he’s a murder mystery writer, so it’s right up his alley.
The dollhouse in the main room became quite famous – it’s actually a dollhouse/liquor cabinet. If you have a dollhouse, you could turn it into a display shelf for your precious collections.
Knives Out is one of those movies that are just exploding with Easter eggs. Every single detail in the movie has something to do with the story or the characters. For instance, all the knick-knacks around the house are related to the books Harlan has written. The layout of the house shows Harlan’s personality – he prefers being alone, which is why his study is right at the top. I’m sure you can find out more – guess it’s time for a rewatch!
This post is a part of Blogchatter A2Z Challenge 2026.
Click on any letter below to read the other posts in this series:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
