Friends is one of the most popular TV shows. Period. It attracted an enormous following during its original airing and continues to draw a huge audience, recording chart-topping viewing figures when it was added to the Netflix catalogue in 2018.
But what makes this show so timeless? Interior design experts Furniturebox think the Friends apartment itself has a unique role to play, from the purple-walled open plan living to the iconic photo frame on the door, Monica’s apartment was home to the sitcom and its millions of viewers.
From the sofa where the Holiday Armadillo taught Ben all about Hanukkah to the dining table where Joey devoured Rachel’s English trifle, the sense of familiarity is what makes the apartment so iconic.
And data from Ahrefs tells us that the rest of the world agrees, as the “Friends apartment” is Googled 17,000 times per month across the globe. This shows that the influence of this iconic apartment has well and truly transcended its original 90s heyday.
But what if we bought the Friends apartment into the modern age? Online furniture store Furniturebox has made this a reality as they’ve reimagined the Friends apartment in seven different iconic interior design styles.
Take a look at seven different interior styles below and see which one made you think “Oh. My. God!”
Art Deco
This look brings a dash of visual art to the iconic Friends apartment.
The art deco interior design trend works with symmetry and geometric patterns to create a simple, yet bold finish that’s highly structured and pleasing to the eye.
Furniturbox channelled New York’s own Empire State Building. This was achieved by replacing the old coffee table with a striking black marble and gold feature, as well as renovating the kitchen-diner by using dark tones paired with refreshing royal blue bucket seats.
Contemporary
Talk about bringing Friends up to date!
Contemporary interior style is all about simplicity and sophistication. It focuses on bright colours and smart use of space, along with furniture that’s both bold and simple.
The original cluttered space and loud colour palette of the Friends apartment has been redesigned with muted colours and clean lines.
The design compliments the functional nature of the Friends apartment with a defining living area at its heart. We think Monica and her keen eye for organisation would approve!
Victorian
Friends meets Downton Abbey in this Victorian-inspired interior design trend.
Extravagant design and prominent accessories are all classic staples of prosperous Victorian interiors and the Friends apartment is no exception.
In perhaps the most drastic reimagining of the Friends apartment, Furniturebox has brought a gothic feel to the apartment with strong upholstered features and grand oak and oriental tones for an excessively lavish design.
Minimalist
The one where the clutter is cleared from the Friends apartment.
Minimalist interior design is all about using the bare essentials to keep things simple. It uses a monochrome colour palette to exude a sense of calmness.
Here, the Friends apartment has been stripped back to the necessities, featuring a black, white, and grey palette for a modern take on this TV classic. I mean, could this be any more sophisticated?
Scandinavian
There’s no need for Central Perk when you can cosy up amongst the pillows of this snug and functional Nordic reimagining.
Soft hues and curved furnishings bring a sense of structured comfort to the Friends apartment. Each element is slightly different, yet fits neatly together in this refreshing design.
Industrial
A gritty reimagining of the Friends apartment, this industrial interior design embraces the raw and unfurnished materials in the apartment. It makes these materials a feature of the room, rather than something to hide away under paint and wallpaper.
Notice the exposed brick wall in the kitchen-dining area, the metallic trimmings, the leather sofa and the eye-catching industrial light feature. It’s a take that fits perfectly with the industrial vibe of New York.
Farmhouse
Bringing a little rustic charm to the Friends high-rise apartment, this design looks to blend rural architecture with a few modern comforts.
From rustic wood in the flooring to soft pastel furnishings and cosy fabric sofa, plumped patterned pillows and long draping curtains round off the homely farmhouse feel.
We like to think Ross and Rachel might have raised Emma in a place like this.
Check out the full reimagining of the Friends apartment here, plus you can even add some of the pieces featured in the design to your own home!
Commenting on the transformation of the Friends apartment, Dan Beckles, Co-founder and Director of Furniturebox:
“We’ve loved reimagining the iconic Friends apartment in today’s trending interior designs, and I was blown away to see the different styles come to life — but the essence of Friends remained throughout.
“Despite the show’s evergreen popularity, the 90s was a long time ago. It’s been a pleasure to bring this globally renowned apartment back to life with a fresh take on the design.
“It’s incredible to see the unique spin each interior style has on the apartment, yet the space never loses that familiar Friends feel. That stamp is unmistakable, no matter what we do”.
So, which reimagining Friends design would you choose to live in?
