Whether you’ve read the book or watched the movie, you’re sure to love these decor ideas inspired by Little Women – the Greta Gerwig version!
“If I was a girl in a book, this would all be so easy”
One of my favorite childhood reads was Little Women, the 1869 novel by Louisa May Alcott. When I realized that there were more parts to the story, I was thrilled and immediately set about finding them!
The book was released over a hundred years ago, and over all these years, there have been 7 different Little Women movie adaptations, along with several stage versions. One of the most popular movies is Greta Gerwig’s 2019 adaptation, which was nominated for several Oscars, including Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actress, and Best Picture.
While the story is set in New England during the 19th century, the movie was shot just a couple of miles from the house where Alcott wrote the story. This makes the movie even more special for die-hard fans like me! So let’s take a look at how the movie makers have recreated the classic tale in movie form.
Decor Ideas Inspired by Little Women
Little Women centers around the March family, especially the four March sisters who live with their mother, Marmee. The family is respectable but not wealthy, and this is visible in their home. The interiors are a little worn out, but they still have beautiful pieces, and the family’s love and charm make up for any lack!
Production designer Jess Gonchor and set decorator Claire Kaufman have tried to create this look and I think they’ve succeeded! The rooms have a Victorian-style interior, and the little bits and bobs around the home give it a lovely, lived-in and cheerful vibe.
Antique furniture
Many of the furniture pieces in the March home are from the Victorian era, which refers to the years of Britain’s Queen Victoria’s reign, from 1837 to 1901. This period is associated with ornate details and craftsmanship.
As a result, there are a lot of antique furniture pieces, with lots of intricate details and traditional styling. An easy way to get the look is to get one large piece that is reminiscent of that time period, like a grand piano, a vintage secretary desk or a China cupboard.
Creative spaces
As mentioned earlier, the March family does not have a lot, so the girls have to make do with their innate resourcefulness and creativity. For this, they have a dedicated spot in their home where they let their imagination run wild – the attic!
The attic is an important part of the story, and it’s a spot where the girls spend a lot of time. It encourages them to write, draw, or put up plays. Later in the story, Amy has her own European art studio, which is a space dedicated to her work.
Pale blues
The movie’s production designer chose a signature blue for the March home, called ‘duck egg blue’. It’s a beautiful pale blue shade, that appears abundantly throughout the house – wood panelling, wallpaper, staircases, kitchen cabinets and more.
The color also repeats in other parts of the house, like chairs, artwork and bedding. It’s a color that symbolizes peace, and calm, while still remaining cheerful and bright. The fact that it’s all over the house ties it all together and makes the interiors more cohesive.
Cozy comfort
If you had to describe the March home in one word, cozy would be it! Every corner of the home feels like it would be a great place to curl up with a book or have an interesting conversation with someone you like. The girls also seem very comfortable in all the scenes, which makes us want to be there with them!
The best part is that it’s all done very organically, with a crackling fireplace, fluffy cushions and soft rugs. Wood detailing and lots of greenery add a comforting natural element, increasing the cozy factor of the space.
Colorful wallpaper
Nearly all rooms of the March home are completely wallpapered, except the attic and kitchen. The wallpaper print and color is reflective of the room’s nature. For instance, the room of the older sisters – Meg and Jo – is a little darker and more sophisticated, while that of the younger sisters – Beth and Amy – is more cheerful and playful.
The parlour or living room has a more traditional print that goes perfectly with the furniture and carpet. It is, after all, the place where they receive guests, and needs to be more ‘propah’!
Patterned furnishings
Another easy way to make your space look more cozy and lived-in is to use prints and patterns in your furnishings. In the movie, prints are everywhere, especially in upholstery, table linen and bedding. They’re a great way to set a mood for the room, like using fun prints for a young person’s room or floral prints for more formal spaces.
Don’t worry too much about matching prints – the Little Women aesthetic celebrates the slightly cluttered and mismatched look. After all, we have to remember that they are making do with whatever they have and can’t afford fully matching sets for now!
Lace curtains
Lace is an important aspect of cottage-core design, similar to the one seen in Little Women, and it’s not just for dresses – it’s also for the home! Lace curtains feature a lot in the movie, along with other sheers. They soften a room instantly, while giving it that feminine touch – understandable since the movie literally has ‘women’ in the name!
This is such an easy style to implement in your home and even stores like IKEA have a great collection of lace curtains at very affordable prices. Use them as they are, or pair them with solids for a more layered look.
Soft lighting
Speaking of feminine touches, soft lighting is something you’ll see in many scenes in the movie, especially the emotional and romantic ones. Light plays a crucial role in setting the mood – that’s why candlelight dinners are so popular!
There are many ways to achieve this look – candles on beautiful candelabras or vintage candlesticks, as well as traditional-style lanterns. Of course, today you have many LED options, and they’ll look great mixed up with some finds from the flea market.
Nature as decor
Since the Marches don’t have a lot of money to spend on crystal or other expensive decor items, they use something that’s completely free – Mother Nature! Green boughs form garlands for Christmas, bouquets of dried flowers adorn the kitchen walls, while various floral arrangements hang from the roof of the attic, adding to its eclectif feel and making it a space that boosts creativity!
The March home in Little Women is proof that you don’t need a lot of money to make a home feel beautiful and welcoming. If the people living in that home love each other, then a little creativity is all you need to dress up your home! Make your own art, fix things yourself and improvise wherever you can – you’ll end up with a space that is completely yours and where you’ll love being in!
This post is a part of Blogchatter A2Z Challenge 2026.
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