Ever wondered why some Nollywood homes stay with you long after the credits roll? It is rarely because of luxury alone. The most memorable interiors reveal something about the people who live in them, using colour, texture, lighting and carefully chosen objects to tell a story before a character even speaks.
Behind those spaces are production designers who understand that every room is part of the narrative. From intimate family dramas to sweeping romances, Nollywood productions have shown how thoughtfully designed interiors can shape the mood of a scene and bring characters to life.
If you’ve ever wanted to recreate a bit of that magic at home, production designer Anita Ashiru says you do not need a film-sized budget. Instead, she recommends making intentional design choices that reflect your personality while embracing the warmth and character often found in Nollywood interiors.
1. Start With Research
Before buying furniture or repainting your walls, spend time figuring out the kind of space you want to create. Ashiru recommends researching interior styles, colours and themes that genuinely appeal to you rather than simply following trends.
Looking through magazines, Pinterest boards or even your favourite Nollywood films can help you identify recurring styles that suit your personality and lifestyle.
2. Build a Lookbook
Once you’ve settled on a direction, create a visual reference for yourself.
A lookbook, whether it’s a folder on your phone or a digital mood board, allows you to collect colours, furniture, fabrics and décor ideas in one place. Having those references makes it easier to stay consistent and avoid buying pieces that don’t work together.
3. Let Your Walls Tell a Story
One of Ashiru’s favourite ways to transform a room is with an accent wall.
Whether it’s wallpaper, textured finishes or a bold paint colour, an accent wall instantly adds depth and personality. She believes many Nigerians have mistaken minimalism for plainness, stripping their homes of the character that naturally reflects who they are.
“We are maximalists,” she says. “Look at how we celebrate at owambes. My advice would be to show yourself in your home décor.”
4. Don’t Be Afraid of Colour
A carefully chosen pop of colour can completely change the mood of a room.
For Ashiru, experimenting with colour is one of the easiest ways to give a home warmth and personality. She points to her own home, where white walls have given way to richer tones like burnt orange, proving that even small changes can make a space feel more inviting.
The goal isn’t to fill every corner with bright colours but to introduce shades that reflect your taste and make the space feel lived in.
5. Choose Art That Means Something
Wall art should be more than decoration.
Instead of filling your home with generic prints, Ashiru recommends displaying pieces that hold personal meaning. They could be paintings, framed photographs, woven textiles, handmade crafts or even fabric you love but never intended to wear.
The more personal the collection, the more your home begins to tell your own story.
6. Layer Your Lighting
Lighting can completely change how a room feels.
While large chandeliers remain popular in many Nigerian homes, Ashiru says softer, warmer lighting often creates a more intimate atmosphere. Table lamps, floor lamps and warm-toned bulbs can instantly make a room feel more inviting while giving it the cinematic quality often associated with beautifully designed film sets.
7. Become a Collector
Some of the most memorable homes are filled with objects that carry stories.
Ashiru encourages people to collect meaningful pieces over time, especially while travelling. Souvenirs, handcrafted items and keepsakes from different places add character in a way mass-produced décor rarely can.
More importantly, they create a home that reflects your experiences rather than simply following design trends.
A beautifully designed home isn’t about recreating a Nollywood set piece by piece. It’s about embracing the same philosophy that guides great production design: every space should reveal something about the person who inhabits it.
For Ashiru, the best homes, much like the best films, leave people with a lasting impression because they tell an authentic story. Your home should do the same.
