There is something to be said for longevity. As trends come and go, it may feel natural for your design taste to evolve over time, whether you find yourself most naturally driven to maximalist, eclectic spaces, or more serene, simple interiors. But sometimes, the thing that makes a space sing is an element that feels truly timeless.
Traditional home decor may have a reputation for feeling outdated or stuffy — but the reality is, it’s anything but. Elements like landscape or still life paintings, chinoiserie pottery, nature-inspired prints, and chandeliers have become favorites of interior decorators and designers for centuries for good reason: They just have a way of enhancing a space’s overall presence.
Incorporating traditional home decor into your space doesn’t mean it won’t feel modern. Rather, infusing your design with some pieces that give it a more storied feel can help it to look more lived-in, charming, and — of course — chic. Here are 13 ways Havenly designer Kelsey Fischer recommends mixing old and new.
1. Traditional Home Decor: Refined Details
The architectural details of this living room give it a stately presence, but the right styling keeps it feeling current. A set of Interior Define’s Lawson Swivel Chairs in sage pair nicely with a cream-colored sofa outfitted with an on-trend slipcover. A more modern-leaning coffee table adds just the right amount of stylistic contrast to more traditional pieces, like a chandelier, landscape painting, and large vases.
2. Traditional Home Decor: Fresh and Bright
White walls and cream-colored accents, like a swivel armchair and a simple area rug, keep this interior looking bright and clean, which makes it the perfect canvas for some more ornate accents, like a gilded mirror, candle sconces, and an artistic figure sculpture.
3. Traditional Home Decor: Light Cottage
Traditional style doesn’t have to look overly formal — details like a toile-printed armchair, tapir candlesticks, and vintage artwork give this space a homey, old-school feel, while more bohemian elements, like a sisal rug and wooden chandelier add a playful twist.
4. Traditional Home Decor: All-Over Print
Florals, tartan, stripes and gingham may not seem like natural complements in the slightest — but the eccentricity of this space works because every element of it is thoughtfully considered. An equestrian-print bedframe makes the perfect unexpected foundational piece for a room that’s framed by dense foliage-printed drapery.
5. Traditional Home Decor: Toile All Over
An all-over-pattern look may not be for the faint of heart, but when executed well, it’s can be a real show-stopper. With matching wallpaper and bedframe, this interior evokes the feel of a classic bed and breakfast, with a more sophisticated edge. A simple quilted bedspread and dusty blue drapes give it a sense of balance.
6. Traditional Home Decor: Timeless Simplicity
With a mix of both modern and traditional elements, this living room has a feeling of being totally timeless. Interior Define’s Gaby sectional is functional, comfortable, and classic, while vintage-inspired details, like a patterned area rug, landscape painting, and vases lend the space a storied appeal.
7. Traditional Home Decor: Central Charm
This kitchen and adjoining dining space are charming enough for a Nancy Meyers protagonist to want to move right in. The secret to what makes it work: blue beadboard cabinetry, a few throw pillows, and a sophisticated, but not fussy, chandelier.
8. Traditional Home Decor: Effortlessly Airy
Pulling off an all-white space can be a design challenge, but the right decor can transform a simple interior into one with plenty of style. An eye-catching brass chandelier draws the eye upwards in this high-walled space, as do white drapes — meanwhile, some florals and greenery keep it equally grounded.
9. Traditional Home Decor: Modern Elements
One way to keep an interior looking dynamic: Incorporate decorative elements that lend an aesthetic contrast to the larger pieces in the space. In this living room, a leather sofa and angular coffee table read distinctly modern — so a collection of decor including a pedestal, vases, art books, and a shaded sconce help to soften their sharper silhouettes.
10. Traditional Home Decor: Sweet Nursery
Blue, tree-printed wallpaper makes a dreamy foundation for this playfully classic nursery. Elements like a globular floor lamp and sisal ottoman lend this space a contemporary feel, while a large chinoiserie vessel, antique-inspired rug, and Shaker-style crib offer a traditional touch.
11. Traditional Home Decor: Neat Display
You might consider a display cabinet a more traditional alternative to open shelving — but that doesn’t mean it has to look antiquarian. The distinct, geometric look of this piece makes it a dynamic addition to a simple living room, especially when it’s artfully filled with carefully selected decorative objects, like vases and mementos.
12. Traditional Home Decor: Serene Space
Sometimes, all it takes is one piece of decor to pull a room together. In this bright and simple living room, a chinoiserie jar provides a welcome boost of color — complementing a deep blue throw pillow — and plenty of sophistication.
13. Traditional Home Decor: High Contrast
A Chippendale highboy dresser and a cabriole-leg bench are elements of a palatial bedroom — but a warm, velvet bedframe, bamboo blinds, and punchy, striped bolster pillows keep this space feeling perfectly of-its-era.
Want expert advice on your own space, straight from an interior designer? Get started today with our style quiz.