Only Murders in the Buildingis one of Hulu’s most successful shows. This comedy-drama true crime series both pokes fun at and embraces true crime, as the three leads start a podcast to investigate murders that happen in the building. At the start, they may have believed this podcast would be a one-and-done. What are the odds that multiple murders will occur in one building? The building in question is called The Arconia, and it’s packed to the brim withcolorful residents and staff members. As such, The Arconia itself becomes a character in its own right, with a rich history and the growing pains of trying to figure out its place in the future.
As Mabel, Oliver, and Charles investigate each crime that takes place within The Arconia’s walls, viewers get a glimpse of the different apartments. Some residents have more subdued tastes, keeping their decor simple and inoffensive. Other residents see their apartments as extensions of themselves and infuse them with as much, or as little, personality as they can. Here are the best apartments in The Arconia, ranked.
8Jan Bellows
Those who finishedOnly Murders in the BuildingSeason 1 know that Jan and Charles connected over the sweet, sweet music she played from her apartment. Turns out that was the sweetest thing about her. Unless we count her apartment, that is. Viewers didn’t spend as much time in Jan’s apartment. We first met her as she was leaving it and heading to the elevator with her bassoon case in hand. But as her and Charles’ relationship deepened, we got to see more into how this covert murderer likes to live.
Jan’s apartment has some classic floral wallpaper that is common in many of the other tenant’s humble abodes. She opted for simple, minimalist decorations from a comfy-looking blue sitting chair to sparse floral arrangements in chic vases to simple floral paintings — a trueartiste. Though simple and classic, Jan’s apartment does lack a little character and oomph, something maybe Charles or Tim Kono could’ve helped her with if she hadn’t… well, you know.
7Amy Schumer
Actress andcomedian Amy Schumerwas one ofOnly Murders in the Building’s many celebrity guest cameos, making sporadic appearances in season two playing herself. As a friend of Oliver, one could surmise that she’d have quite elegant taste and the first glimpse into her apartment confirmed it. Schumer took over another tenant’s (to be mentioned later) apartment and completely transformed it. She went for a light, airy feeling with bright wall paint, tons of greenery, and sleek, modern furniture like the once-trendy egg chair.
It’s no surprise that Schumer wanted to modernize the once dark and moody apartment. This style is a lot more popular with the mass public, and Schumer approached Oliver about doing just that with the podcast. She suggested he sell her the rights to the podcast and can gamify it. She’s all about the business and her refined taste with expensive-looked arched doorways give viewers a taste of where some of that money is going.
6Mabel Mora
At the start of the series, Mabel’s apartment is full of… potential. The paint on the wall is chipped or nonexistent, there’s hardly any furniture, there are ladders and other renovation equipment strewn about, and the funky striped couch has character but also looked due for a refresh. But when you’re staying in it for free thanks to your aunt, you’ll take what you can get. Mabel,played by Selena Gomez, manages to find time throughout the earlier seasons to spruce up her apartment in between solving murders.
The apartment had good bones, with Grecian-like columns and a gallery wall that occupants of the living room had a perfect view of. Luckily for her, she had loads of moral support as she worked through renovations: Oscar in Season 1, who encouraged her to finish her paintings, and Alice in Season 2, who was an artist herself. Mabel’s apartment got a major makeover in Season 3 as her aunt prepared to sell it, and while by all accounts it was a “better” apartment, it did lose some of its heart.
Related:Only Murders in the Building: Selena Gomez’s Best Moments as Mabel
5Bunny Folger
Unfortunately for those who loved Bunny (and who didn’t?), much of the time we spend in her apartment comes after she dies. Bunny was a staunch traditionalist, wanting to uphold the essence of The Arconia and resisting a lot of the changes newer management wanted to impose on the building. That affinity with old-school ways of living is very apparent in her apartment. One could imagine the interior decorator presenting Bunny with options of floral wallpaper and instead of choosing one she decided to go for them all, slapping a different one on each wall.
She didn’t just stop there. There are different styles of chandeliers hanging around her apartment, all quite beautiful in their own right. This combination of styles reflects the different sides of Bunny herself. To most of the residents, this head of the board seemed like she had one mode: standoffish. But if viewers could glean anything from her willingness to sport the podcast merch and show up to Mabel, Oliver, and Charles ready to party, is that there is a lot more to Bunny than she lets on. Her apartment is quirky and cozy; her parrot’s cage also added a nice decorative touch.
It’s nearly impossible to tell that Schumer’s light and breezy botanical apartment used to be Sting’s dark and brooding chamber. InOnly Murders in the BuildingSeason 1, Sting was not just on Oliver Putnam’s top suspect lists, he was also a resident of The Arconia. His place looked more cave or vampire’s den than apartment. Like Schumer, this The Police star played himself in the show, yet unlike Schumer, he did not appear thrilled when The Arconia residents intruded upon his moody sanctuary.
When Oliver, Charles, and Mabel go to Sting’s place with a turkey in tow, they first pass by an entryway with medieval and gothic-inspired decor: human arms supporting light sconces, life-size abstract animal cutouts, and long light torches. Once inside, the audience sees that Sting didn’t opt for a floral wallpaper, but instead painted them black. As the trio discussed Kono with the English musician, viewers can see how important music is to him from his guitar to the piano spotted in the back. The neon “xo” sign with the “o” in the shape of a heart seems an odd choice for the space, but somehow works. With so many of the other Arconia apartments bleeding together, Sting’s wins points for originality.
3Howard Morris
Howard’s apartment may not be the most inventive as compared to other entrants on this list, yet it’s infused with so much of his personality that it deserves a high position. Howard is one of The Arconia’s most distinctive residents, with his sassy quips, sensitive nature, and his intense love for his cat Evelyn. In some ways, Howard’s apartment is a little dull. Beige walls, extremely outdated furniture that doesn’t look all too comfortable to justify keeping them, and yellowish lighting. Then there’s the presence of Evelyn.
InOnly Murders in the BuildingSeason 1, Howard is an early suspect for who killed Kono. Not only did Kono have a strained relationship with Howard, but he also had a public distaste for Howard’s feline friend. And that feline friend is all over Howard’s apartment, even after she passed. There’s the large cat tree nestled in the corner of the apartment, but there’s also the large portrait of Evelyn hanging above the fireplace and mantle as though it’s a shrine. And perhaps it was. Viewers who’ve seen that episode will recall that Howard had a… difficult time letting Evelyn go.
Related:Only Murders in the Building: The 10 Best Major & Recurring Characters from Seasons 1 & 2, Ranked
2Oliver Putnam
With Oliver’s audacious personality, it’s only fitting that his apartment is dripping with the same decadence he displays. As a man of the theater, Oliver (played by Martin Short), made sure his living space brought the drama. Like Sting, he went for dark walls in the living room but balanced it out with lighter-colored furniture, ornate lighting fixtures, vibrant green plants and flowers, and rugs with intricate patterns. There’s also a makeshift stage and posters from past Broadway productions hanging on the walls.
We see loads of Oliver’s apartment, whether it’s brainstorming his next play or their next podcast episode, the creative energy in his apartment is infectious. The dining area has a lighter wall color, with lots of golds and reds adding to the luxurious feel. Small details in the apartment, from loose papers to what books were thrown on tables make this apartment feel like a truly lived-in space.
The set designer for the show, Curt Beech, toldPeoplethat the team put a bunch of teacups around the apartment because Oliver’s “scatterbrained” personality would surely make himself tea and promptly forget about it. We all worried for Oliver’s apartment when he was at risk for eviction, and not just because we loved Oliver, but because we loved seeing it on our screens.
1Charles Haden-Savage
Poor Charles Haden-Savage is often the butt of the joke onOnly Murders in the Building. Mabel and Oliver often point out that Charles’ social skills could use some work, an opinion he quickly validated when he fell in love and trusted a murderer. And Oliver is not shy to point out how “dull” or “bland” Charles’ attire is, even when heading to a funeral. But if there’s one thing that isn’t bland, it’s Charles’ apartment. Charles, played by Steve Martin, managed to make his apartment unique from the other floral-obsessed units while remaining livable for many people.
The blue built-in bookshelves compliment the blue striped couch in his living room. On the shelves, he has a nice mixture of books, art, and plants. Neither minimalist nor overstuffed, balanced is a perfect descriptor of Charles’ style. Some elements stay true to the Arconia’s old history, while not giving in to filling up his apartment with dated decor.
One of the best parts ofCharles’ apartment is his kitchen. The green cabinetry and large island would make cooking a joy for anyone and the orange walls in the eating area is a nice contrast. Of course, there’s the little quirk of a secret passageway in his bathroom that may detract from the otherwise cozy feel of the apartment. Nevertheless, Charles’ apartment is a true standout in The Arconia.
