You love the timeless elegance of traditional interior design. The rich details, opulent fabrics, and craftsmanship appeal to your classic sensibilities. But how do you bring that style into your home without feeling stuffy or outdated? Don’t worry; incorporating traditional design elements is easier than you think. In this article, DeCasa Collections will present some simple additions and a few key pieces you can use to create an interior with enduring style and comfort.
What Is Traditional Interior Design?
Traditional interior design draws inspiration from historic European styles like Victorian, Georgian, Neoclassical, and American Colonial. Some hallmarks of the traditional style include:
- Dark, carved wood furniture like china cabinets, roll-top desks, and four-poster beds. Oak, mahogany, and walnut are popular wood choices.
- Patterned fabrics like damasks, brocades, tapestries, and embroidered textiles. Floral prints and muted geometrics are common.
- Ornate accents such as crown molding, medallions, wainscoting, and decorative trim.
- A mix of styles and periods. Don’t be afraid to combine a Chippendale-style armchair with a Gothic revival china cabinet. Eclecticism is key.
- Natural materials include wood, stone, leather, brass, and silk. Synthetic materials are avoided.
- Symmetry and balance. Furnishings are typically arranged in a formal, symmetrical fashion.
- Rich, muted colors like burgundies, forest greens, navy blues, and eggplant. Metallics such as gold and silver are used as accents.
- Area rugs, especially Persian and Oriental styles, anchor the space. Wall-to-wall carpeting is less common.
- Artwork includes still lifes, landscapes, portraits, and hunting scenes. Gilded frames are popular.
- Accessories such as crystal vases, silver trays, decorative boxes, candlesticks, and table lamps complete the look.
Incorporating some of these elements into your home is a great way to achieve a classic, timeless style. Start with a signature piece of furniture or gradually bring in traditional accents and fabrics. Your home will exude charm and sophistication in no time.
Incorporating Traditional Furniture Pieces
Bringing traditional furnishings into your home is a great way to create a timeless look. Some classic pieces to consider include:
Wingback Chairs
Wingback chairs have been around for centuries and exude a sense of heritage. Their high backs and padded armrests offer comfort and support. A pair of wingback chairs placed by the fireplace or facing each other across a coffee table makes a cozy conversation area. A single wingback chair tucked into a corner provides a perfect reading nook for a library or den.
Wooden Chests
Wooden chests, storage trunks, or blanket boxes are incredibly versatile and useful. Place one at the foot of a bed, in an entryway, or use a few stacked up as a coffee table. Not only do they provide hidden storage, but they also bring warmth and texture to a space.
Roll Top Desks
A roll-top desk is a beautiful piece that provides a practical workspace. The slatted desktop rolls up and out of the way, keeping the surface clear of clutter when not in use. A roll-top desk in a home office, living room, or bedroom blends function and style.
There are many ways to tastefully blend antique, vintage, and modern elements in your home. Feel free to mix wood tones and incorporate natural materials like stone, brick, leather, and wool. Pay attention to lines, proportions, and the overall feel. Keeping the color palette warm and cozy will help create a harmonious flow between rooms. You’ll craft an interior space that feels like home by thoughtfully selecting traditional furnishings and decor that you genuinely love.
Using Traditional Color Schemes and Fabrics
Traditional color schemes and fabrics are crucial to creating a classic interior design style in your home. Sticking to a complementary palette of colors and timeless textiles will give your space a sophisticated, elegant feel.
Traditional Color Palette
Some classic color combinations to consider include:
- Burgundy and gold – Rich, dramatic, and quintessentially traditional. Use burgundy on walls or larger furnishings and gold for accents like lighting fixtures, decorative trim, or small decor items.
- Navy blue and white – Crisp, nautical, and preppy. Navy blue walls or upholstery paired with white woodwork, ceilings, and accent pieces make a bold statement. Add red or yellow accents for contrast.
- Forest green and beige – Earthy, organic, and calming. Deep green walls complemented by beige carpeting, stone or wood floors, and a mix of leather, suede, and woven accents. Brass lighting and metallic touches enhance the look.
- Plum and gray – Elegant, moody, and sophisticated. Eggplant or plum-colored walls offset by dove gray ceilings, millwork, and furnishings. Silver, pewter, or nickel accents and accessories complete the stylish space.
Incorporating these complementary hues through paint, wallpaper, furnishings, window treatments, lighting, and decorative items will give your room a cohesive, polished appearance. Keep the overall color scheme balanced for the best results.
High-Quality Fabrics
Traditional design also relies on luxurious, tactile fabrics like:
- Velvet – Soft, rich and dramatic. Use for upholstery, pillows, bedding, or drapes.
- Silk – Elegant, shimmery, and delicate. Ideal for lampshades, pillows, bedding, or drapes.
- Damask – Elaborate, woven pattern with a luxurious sheen. Perfect for upholstery, wallpaper, bedding, drapes, or table linens.
- Tweed – Rough, nubby woolen fabric. Great for upholstery, pillows, or drapes.
- Linen – Light, airy and slightly wrinkled. Use for upholstery, bedding, table linens, or drapes.
By incorporating traditional color schemes, high-quality fabrics, and timeless patterns into your space, you’ll create a classic look that stands the test of time. Focus on balance, proportion, and craftsmanship for a result you’ll enjoy for years to come.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it, some easy ways to bring classic style into your home. Traditional design has stood the test of time for good reason. By incorporating architectural details, natural materials, and furnishings with history, you’ll create an interior with warmth, character, and stories to tell. Your home will become a cozy retreat from the modern world outside. Best of all, in 50 years, your traditionally designed space will still feel as welcoming and timeless as the day you first walked through the front door. What are you waiting for? Start hunting for that perfect antique rug or clawfoot tub and transform your house into a home.
