Woman's simple interior decor ideas for creating 'momentary moments' are praised

A video showing how to easily add a “deeply nostalgic” feel to your living room is going viral on social media.

The home decor hack was revealed in a video shared by Meg McMillin, a 36-year-old stay-at-home mom of two with one on the way, a lifestyle influencer and content creator based in the Chicago suburbs.

The video has garnered 8.2 million views on Instagram (@megmcmillin_) and 1 million views on TikTok (@megmcmillin) since it was first posted on both platforms in late February.

“We encourage you to start taking Polaroid photos and put them in a bowl on your coffee table,” reads a message overlaid on the TikTok video, which shows a living room with a bowl placed on a wooden table.

McMillin said. Newsweek: “There's nothing more enjoyable than taking a Polaroid photo and seeing the result. I love the deep, nostalgic feeling of 'in the moment' that Polaroid photos evoke. We're so used to endless experimentation when it comes to taking photos with our phones that we really appreciate the authenticity that comes from an image that's only been taken once.”

“Y'all gonna wanna see the whole thing when it's over,” the caption accompanying the TikTok post read.

The post comes as the Polaroid camera market has experienced significant growth in recent years – the company filed for bankruptcy in 2001 following the rise of digital cameras.

According to the MarkWide Research report, this growth is driven by several key factors, including “a resurgence in analog photography and vintage aesthetics,” which “has boosted demand for Polaroid cameras and film among consumers looking for unique, tangible ways to capture their memories.”

The market is also being driven by social media influencers and content creators looking to share more engaging and visually appealing content on their platforms, and Polaroid's instant print production capabilities are helping to meet the demands of a digital world that demands instant gratification, the report said.

“Everything is digitalized these days.”

McMillin said. Newsweek She said the room shown in the video is where guests in her house often gather, so it “just seemed natural” to place the Polaroid photos in a “pretty bowl” in the room.

“Everyone loves sifting through the photos and putting them in the bowl. My kids especially love finding old photos of themselves,” she said, adding, “When I'm not entertaining people, I turn the top layer of photos over to prevent them fading.”

A graduate of art school, McMillin was always interested in film photography.

“Everything is digital these days, and I hate to see the printed and physical photos we have at home become a thing of the past,” she says. “I keep regular albums, too, but Polaroids are the best kind of photos, worth preserving for the world to enjoy. Plus, they're beautiful to look at, so it only made sense to incorporate them into my home decor.”

As for other simple home decorating tips, McMillan believes you can design your home beautifully without spending “exorbitant” prices.

“I think the easiest way to achieve this is to go thrift and vintage shopping and slowly furnish your space with pieces that speak to you. Some of my favorite pieces in my home were found at Goodwill, garage sales or in my grandmother's basement,” she said.

“That's a great idea.”

TikTok and Instagram users loved the latest home decor tips.

Brand5 posted on TikTok: “This is such a cute idea!”

“I used to do this when I was a host,” TikTok user Lily said.

Instagram user @artbylmc commented, “Great idea! I love Polaroids but I don't know how to display them without looking like a college dorm room.”

User @kianajb posted on Instagram: “Wow I'm gonna put my wedding pictures on here!!! Thanks for the idea.”

Have a home design tip you'd like to share? Send it to us at life@newsweek.com and we could feature your story. Newsweek.