I’m moving apartments again this summer. As I’m sure most people in their early twenties can relate, this will be my seventh move since I left for school. However, this move is going to be a big step in a girl’s journey to adulthood, because if all goes well I’m actually going to be able to put some roots down in this apartment and stay for a couple years. That means that for the first time my apartment won’t be a mash-up of an inherited bedroom set, IKEA tables, my parent’s futon, and a ripped couch I literally swiped off the street.
Dreaming of apartment decor has always been a pastime, thank you tumblr and apartment therapy. I’ve had the same ideal apartment in my head since I was 14, basically a rustic farmhouse in the city aesthetic. Browsing my old Livejournal tags, I realized that I wrote an entire post about my dream apartment in 2008, including a floorplan, that I actually got some great ideas from 5 years later. Thanks past!Rachael!
As excited as I am to finally start building towards my perfect space, I’ve spent the past ten years completely nerding up my room: from posters to an absurd book collection to action figures to, umm, ridiculous and obscure fandom jokes.
10 points to Gryffindor to anyone who knows what this heinously nerdy clock is a reference to
I’ve realized that there’s no way I’m going to let go of all the fandom stuff cluttering my apartment. If being an adult means getting rid of all my nerdy paraphernalia then I don’t want to grow up.
But let’s face it, fandom merch can get a little tacky. So I’m taking inspiration from all my favorite fandoms in order to transition my living space to a more grown-up and subtly nerdy space.
Doctor Who Apartment Inspiration
Amy and Rory’s London apartment has a lot of those classic British-y touches that I adore. Besides having great curb appeal and a beautiful backyard for Amy and River to hang out in, the Ponds keep it simple with their furnishings and use a lot of plants and florals to make their home come alive.
TARDIS shed | TARDIS teapot | TARDIS bookcase
Also, as the Whovians have taught us, you can make a TARDIS into anything because it is a convenient shape and a classic design. Thank you, 1950s London!
Harry Potter Apartment Inspiration
Despite the brilliance of the Harry Potter films’ art direction, I don’t think the whole castles and dungeons thing is very cozy. There’s a reason Harry falls in love with The Burrow; it’s the epitome of a home. The Weasleys might be poor, but Molly sure knows how to make doing with little extremely comforting. The mismatched chairs and dishware give this country cottage a lot of charm. Autumn colors, plaids, and tiny floral patterns keep the home from being ultra girly.
Back in the muggle world, I’ve developed a very expensive obsession with getting original Mary GrandPre Harry Potter art prints. These beautiful prints are extremely sentimental to me and make any room pop with color.
Sherlock Apartment Inspiration
Dark, musty, and Victorian, Sherlock did a great job making 221B Baker Street a cozy flat. These dark colors are the opposite of what usually attracts me in home decor, but Sherlock has somehow found the perfect balance between pack-rat clutter and neatness. I just want to know how to pull off keeping piles upon piles of books on every available space. Plus, you’ve gotta love patterned wallpaper.
The Hobbit Apartment Inspiration
We can learn a lot of great lifestyle choices from hobbits, including home design. Even Tolkien says in the first paragraph of The Hobbit: “it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.” It’s a home that’s designed to maximize life’s simple pleasures. Mainly I am just forever dying over Bilbo’s pantry, stuffed with ale, cheese, dried meat, and the herbs drying from the ceiling.
Pride & Prejudice Apartment Inspiration
I personally much prefer the simple elegance of Longbourn over the grandeur of Netherfield and Pemberley. The main thing I adore about the Bennett home is the pale colors, big windows, and abundance of light.
Downton Abbey Apartment Inspiration
The great thing about modern day design is that we can draw inspiration from both “upstairs” and “downstairs” in the same space! I adore turn-of-the-20th-century inspired gilded frames, chandeliers, and details. In the kitchen, I super love the prominent display of shining copper cookware and the perfect, wooden kitchen table.
Other Fandom Apartment Inspiration
Is there a nerd girl out there who hasn’t been fantasizing about the library in Beauty and the Beast since she was a kid?
I’ve noticed that a lot of fandoms have released awesome propaganda-style or travel posters, like these from Battlestar Galactica. I love these types prints because they don’t seem super nerdy at first glance, but they hold a lot of meaning for fans. Here’s a secret to decorating for adulthood: if everything on your wall is framed, you are instantly grown up.
This post doesn’t even touch on the myriad of amazing, nerdy home gadgets. What are some of the best fandom-inspired home decor ideas you’ve seen?
