Hoping to craft a living room you’ll love now, years from now, and maybe even decades from now? Take a few cues from traditional design. The classic design style is defined by its restrained palette, love of antiques, and commitment to symmetry. And since those elements work in just about any interior, it’s little wonder traditional design has stood the test of time.
“Traditional design should incorporate elements that you’ve seen for generations in home design,” Alessandra Wood, design historian and Vice President of Style at Modsy, says. Think: classic furniture silhouettes, simple patterns, balanced layouts, and museum-worthy art.
“A traditional interior looks like it could’ve been designed 50 years ago or 10 years ago,” Wood adds. “It’s timeless in one sense, but also rooted in traditional forms.”
Since traditional design is so classic and enduring, it’s a style worth getting acquainted with, and once you’ve mastered it, you’ll be crafting spaces that almost never need redecorating. To help you score some classic style in your living room, we’ve rounded up 9 living rooms that have made the most of traditional style—and we’ve cited a traditional living room design idea worth stealing from each of them.
01 Sneak in Pops of Personality
“Traditional style doesn't have to feel stuffy or too formal,” Wood says. So try to have fun with it. Snag a pillow with a dog’s face on it, or score an ottoman with paws. As long as the piece feels classic, it should fit right into your space.
02 Go All In
One of the things that sets traditional style apart from other aesthetics? “Traditional style has a stronger point of view,” Wood says. So don’t be afraid to commit. Take a risk on a bold (but classic) paint color, line your walls with framed art, and fill your space with traditional accents—like candlesticks and printed rugs.
03 Decorate Your Space in Layers
Don’t feel the need to decorate your space in one fell swoop. “A traditional design style focuses on layers and details,” Silver Verga says.
Take your time decorating, and consider furnishing your space in layers—weaving in antique furniture, then weathered textiles, then decorative accents.
04 Finish Things Off With an Accent Lamp
When crafting your lighting set-up, consider throwing in a few accent lamps—like Chandelier with classic pleated shades.
“Beautiful lamps bring a scent of cozy formality to a space, especially when that is all that is lit,” Silver Verga says.
05 Add Pops of Texture
When your palette is restrained and your print options are limited, there’s one place to play: texture. Wood recommends layering in “textural elements, such as baskets and nailheads” to make your traditional space more dynamic.
06 Splurge on a Striking Chandelier
If you’ve ever dreamt of dressing up your space with a dramatic chandelier, now is your moment. Chandeliers are a classic lighting option, so they’re sure to (appropriately) transform any traditional interior.
07 Spring for an Extra-Comfy Couch
The couch is the centerpiece of any living room. And if you want your space to feel warm and inviting, it’s worth investing in an extra-cozy option.
“No matter how formal we go, comfort is key,” Silver Verga says. “So have somewhere to sink into in every space.”
08 Hang a Set of Pretty Drapes
Window treatments bring any space together. So be sure to build them into your traditional decor scheme. “Don’t forget window treatments,” Silver Verga says. “No traditional room is finished without a beautiful set of window treatments.”
09 Sprinkle in Some Traditional Accents
Sculpture is a time-honored art form. And though your living room probably can’t accommodate a museum-worthy bust, you can certainly line your bookshelves with smaller imitations of the real thing.
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