Inside Lupita Nyong’o’s Los Angeles Home

Let’s step inside the Los Angeles home of Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o.

The actress worked with Crate & Barrel’s Design Desk to reshape the interiors and outdoor areas of the house she had already lived in for three years. Rather than renovating immediately after moving in, Nyong’o chose to spend time understanding the space, observing how she used each room and deciding what the house genuinely needed.

The original property had strong architectural features and expansive views, but it lacked the warmth she wanted from a home. Her aim was to preserve its light, open character while introducing a greater sense of comfort. The result is an interior that feels spacious and uncluttered without appearing overly formal or impersonal.

Natural materials, soft textures and carefully selected furniture bring warmth to the rooms, while the restrained arrangement allows the architecture and surrounding landscape to remain visible. For Nyong’o, the views were central to the entire design process. She wanted the scenery outside the windows to become part of the interior rather than merely serve as its background.

In the living room, the seating was arranged to direct attention towards the landscape, allowing both the actress and her guests to enjoy the view. Nyong’o described wanting “the outdoors to be the art in the room”, an idea that shaped the balance between furniture, colour and open space.

Although the house offered generous proportions and striking surroundings, Nyong’o told Elle Decor that it initially felt hollow. Living there before redesigning it helped her identify what was missing and gave her a clearer understanding of the atmosphere she wanted to create.

For the actress, the home needed to offer more than visual appeal. She wanted it to become a place of rest, removed from the pace and demands of the outside world. Spaciousness remained important, but so did intimacy, comfort and the feeling that every room had been designed for daily life rather than appearance alone.

Her visual references came from a mood board made up of images collected from online magazines. These references helped define the colours, textures and furniture styles used throughout the house. Literature was another important influence, reflecting Nyong’o’s interest in interiors that feel personal and considered rather than shaped by a single trend.

The transformation also extended outdoors, where the spaces were designed for both quiet moments and entertaining. One of Nyong’o’s favourite areas is the balcony, which overlooks the sunset. Before the redesign, it was furnished with little more than an uncomfortable wooden bench. It now features a comfortable outdoor love seat, creating the setting she had imagined since moving into the house.

The balcony has become a place where she can sit with a cup of tea and watch the evening light change over Los Angeles. It is a simple detail, but one that reflects the wider idea behind the renovation: creating a home that feels lived in, welcoming and closely connected to its surroundings.