Want to party like it’s 1888? Well, one way to do that — without a time machine or serious glitch in the matrix — is by making your home look a little more like one of the saloons featured in the instant-classic Western The Harder They Fall. Perhaps that feels like an undertaking, but fans of the film will notice that the saloon style is made up of several key decor elements that are also popular in modern design. In both the Douglastown saloon, where Stagecoach Mary Field (Zazie Beetz) presides, and the Redwood saloon where Rufus Buck (Idris Elba), Treacherous Trudy Smith (Regina King) and Cherokee Bill (LaKeith Stanfield) spend much of their time, there are essential pieces like velvet drapes and lace curtains that lend mood and authenticity to every corner.

Even in these dark rooms, exquisitely elaborate wallpapers pop off every side. Chairs and couches upholstered in rich jewel-toned fabrics and gold accessories like picture frames and light fixtures add sumptuousness to the space, countered by the rustic appeal of wooden tables placed under antlers hanging on the walls. Yes, there’s a lot going on in this overall look, but fans can easily bring a The Harder They Fall-inspired saloon aesthetic into their own spaces by breaking it down into these primary decor components and being selective with styling.

As The Harder They Fall’s production design makes clear, saloon decor is, at its core, eclectic. “The style certainly has Southwest influences, but its origins stem from a mixture of French and Early American,” Rayman Boozer, principal designer of Apartment 48 Interior Design in New York, tells Tudum. “At the time, saloons wanted to set themselves apart by incorporating elegant chandeliers and fabrics from France into a more humble setting.” The technique of combining decor themes in this way is still employed effectively all the time, the designer says. The key, though, is balance. “Find a piece you like, perhaps a rustic wooden dining table, and then match it with more refined, upholstered velvet dining chairs.” 

Emily White, owner of Tucson, Arizona-based desert lifestyle shop La Vida. Taprūt., agrees that it’s important to be selective when combining rustic, Western and mid-century modern aesthetics. “Start by choosing the two that have elements that make your heart swoon. For example, I love rustic wood tables and the clean lines in mid-century furniture. These are the two styles I would focus on for bigger items such as a coffee table, couch, chairs or credenza,” White explains. “In order to add in a third style like Western, I would keep it in the small details like a hanging vintage Navajo rug for your wall art and a cowhide-covered footstool bumped up next to your leather couch.” 

Victoria King of Victoria King Design in Phoenix, Arizona, is also a proponent of carefully curating a few antiques or vintage pieces and then pairing them with a modern upholstery or color palette. “That can prevent it from becoming overly eclectic or cluttered,” she says. When done well, there’s a big advantage to this kind of eclectic approach. “My favorite way to design a home is by taking elements from all different time periods and looks,” Marissa Zajack, who runs Marissa Zajack Creative in Los Angeles, shares. “It actually makes the space so much more interesting. If you go too much in one direction, you start looking like everything else on Instagram. You can lose the individuality of the space.”

Using this method of perfectly balanced eclecticism, these four design experts have advice on how fans can unwind Wild West style in their own homes.

Elaborate Wallpaper

Damask wallpaper is one of the easiest ways to embrace the saloon aesthetic. “Ubiquitous with the Old West from our favorite shows and films, this finish update adds a throwback pattern and a contemporary statement,” Boozer explains. “Try mixing an ornate damask wallpaper with a brilliant trim paint in semi-gloss.” Zajack also thinks wallpaper is a great place to start. “Find a wallpaper that has a classic pattern with added bits of whimsy,” she says. “Maybe it’s a wallpaper that looks traditional from far away, but when you look up close, there are monkeys hanging off of things or something not so serious.” If you’re hesitant to commit to wallpapering your space, try easing in with art. “You can find beautiful vintage prints that could be arranged in a grid,” Zajack shares. “You can really add some elements that are rooted in history through artwork.”

Velvet

Velvet curtains and upholstery are everywhere in The Harder They Fall, but that fabric can often make a room feel dated. White has plenty of tips to prevent that. “If you want to modernize velvet curtains, stay with a lighter cream color and tap-top panels. Make sure they touch the floor or puddle,” she says. “If you add a velvet chair, I suggest a wingback silhouette. It’s a classic shape. If you find a vintage one, I highly recommend cutting the skirt off and exposing the wooden legs to make it more modern.” 

Texture

While texture can be introduced with velvet chairs, couches, pillows, and panels, that’s not the only way. “Wall treatments can be done at home on your own,” Zajack explains. “Limewash would add some rustic but very chic texture to your walls and Venetian plaster doesn’t necessarily go too saloon, but just a bit rustic in a very chic way.” King also suggests bringing in a more worn flooring finish or adding wood paneling to the walls or ceiling. 

Jewel Tones

Deep and bold colors like royal blue, burgundy and emerald feature heavily in the film’s saloons, but you don’t have to go so big with your own usage of color. “If you want something a little less statement, glassware is the perfect way to add these color tones,” White says. “You can find some gorgeous vintage wine glasses in these colors.” If you do lean heavily into jewel tones, strike a balance with accessories. “Try and create layers of contrast,” King advises. “For instance, if you have a bold color on the wall, try and stay more neutral with the drapes and the furnishings.” Zajack, on the other hand, thinks it might be a good idea to opt for more muted versions of these jewel tones. “Pre-pandemic, everything was very neutral and light, and I’m noticing that now I’m adding a lot of color into spaces,” she shares. “It doesn’t have to be bright color because I still like a more neutral palette, but adding a pared-down green, like olive green, or rich blues that are not so royal can keep the color story cohesive in a way that’s rich but also has a history to it.”

Antlers

This wall statement might not be to everyone’s taste. White says large sets of antlers can make some spaces look a little too much like a man cave. If you’re trying to avoid that look, sheds are a suitable alternative. “Sheds, which are just pieces of antler that fall off naturally, are a great neutral interest piece to add to your bookshelf or coffee table tray.”

Lace

In order to prevent your room from looking like it was decorated by your grandma — no offense to her — use lace sparingly. “Use it as trim on bedding or find some lacey vintage throw pillows that you could add to a bedroom,” Zajack offers. “Just really small touches.”

Gold Accessories

According to Boozer, gold accessories are a good gateway into the saloon style because they’re very popular today. “Design is always an exercise in balance,” he explains. “Try adding two gold table lamps to your living room setup and then hit the theme a bit more aggressively with a faux fur or shearling throw on the sofa.” White offers the idea of using vintage mirrors with gold frames or brass candlestick holders, while Zajack recommends going with brass for a more muted look. “I like using unlacquered brass within light fixtures, pulls, and accessories,” she explains. “They have a natural patina that looks a little bit more lived in. It definitely goes with the saloon inspiration without looking like it's out of a set, and it adds a bit of history to even the new space.” King agrees: “Your plumbing fixtures, light fixtures, and cabinet hardware could all be brass, which would give the feel of a gold accent without being too Victorian so the space can still have a modern feel.”