Style Guide

Traditional Interior Design Is Chic Again — Here’s How to Add a Modern Edge

Kelsey Clark ·
Warm neutral living room with caramel sofas, round wood coffee table, and fireplace mantel in soft contemporary-traditional style

When you think of traditional interior design, dusty valances, dated parlors, and your Grandma’s floral couch likely come flashing to mind. But like mom jeans and “The Rachel” haircut, what’s old always becomes new and trendy again. That’s right: traditional interior design is officially back, but with a welcome, much-needed playful twist.

Unlike the stuffy, wallpaper-encased sitting rooms of the 1940s and 50s, today’s take on the trend has a distinctly modern touch. Yes, floral print, classic paint colors, and traditional silhouettes are hitting it big again, but these old-world items are now paired with marble accents, sculptural lighting, and a curved statement chair or two. Not to be confused with the grandmillennial trend, which leans a bit whimsical and vintage-inspired, today’s modern-classic look is storied, layered, and decidedly now. Think Pottery Barn meets CB2 (and then swoon).


Back Up: What's Traditional Interior Design?

Serene traditional living room with cream upholstered seating, sage floral pillows, dusty blue linen curtains, and warm terracotta pottery accents.

Picture a Nancy Meyers set, a crisp white button down, and suede loafers, and you’re getting in the traditional mood. This style has roots in the 18th and 19th centuries with heavy English influences, but is slightly more grounded — it’s a classic wingback chair instead of an ornate Louis XV chair.


So What's Different About Traditional Interior Design 2.0?

Refined fireplace nook with classic white paneling, cream boucle armchair, glowing hearth, and gold-framed accents blending traditional elegance with modern minimalism.

Now, add in a little Eye Swoon, an oversized blazer, and sculptural gold jewelry to check the “trendy” box, and you have the updated modern-traditional aesthetic. We’re seeing classic spaces with a much-needed dose of playful pattern, dynamic color, and mixed materials for a look that feels storied and rich, yet modern.

Of course, it’s the mix of eras and influences that makes this iteration interesting. Think: traditional wainscotting with cheeky tiger print wallpaper, a rolled arm, fringed sofa with a high-contrast palette and sculptural lighting. It’s the duality of old and new that has us on the edge of our (tufted) seats.


Modern-Traditional Style Edit: The Key Elements

Sophisticated reading corner with deep forest green walls, navy floor-to-ceiling curtains, floral-print wingback chair, and brass arc lamp creating moody traditional charm.

If you’re trying to add a little modern-traditional flair to your space, start with the below design elements:

Whether it’s unearthing the latest design trends or unlocking the best floor plan for your space, our designers are standing by to help you create a home you love. Check outour designer’s portfoliosto find your dream match.