When you hear ‘traditional interior design style,’ you may think of stuffy and outdated interiors. This is not always the case. Traditional interior design can be an elegant and classic style, giving your space a timeless quality.
As its name suggests, it is a classic style that originated in Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries. It combines art, antiquities, and traditional English Regency or French Empire-style furniture. We use these elements combined with modern touches to create a traditional interior design style in your home.
Here are the key elements of traditional interior design.
Traditional Interior Design
Think about symmetry
One of the key elements of traditional interior design is symmetry and balance. These are always considered when designing in this style, helping to create a sense of calm and peace within the space. Because of this, a traditional style will feel comfortable and homely. Matching bookcases or end tables could create this sense of calm. Repeating colours or patterns can also give a space a sense of calm. When creating a traditional style, working with even numbers is a must. This could be through hanging four coordinating pieces of art or using two matching objects with the styling on your mantle.
Add traditional architectural details
Adding architectural details is essential to creating character in a traditionally designed space. A cornice, ceiling rose, ornate skirting, and wall panelling are all great ways to add detail to a room. They will also help to give the room a sense of grandeur and luxury that traditional design is known for. It is also important to make sure that the room has a focal point, like a fireplace, as furniture is laid out to highlight the focal point. This can make the room feel much more formal but will also make sure that it is balanced and has a sense of calm.
Related Post | 7 Ideas for creating a focal point without a fireplace
Use classic patterns on wallpaper and fabric
Traditional design uses several patterns, such as plaid, damask, stripes, and floral patterns. The colours of these patterns are usually very soft, allowing the pattern to do most of the work. If you want to add a pop of colour, a brushed trim on the edge of a cushion or a border added to the edge of a piece of furniture or curtain will give you the right amount of colour without overwhelming the pattern. It also makes the cushion or curtain look well made, as the details have been thought through.
Work within a neutral colour palette and add colour
If you want to decorate a room with a classic, traditional design style, the best place to start is a soft, neutral colour palette. Then, you will want to add pops of jewel-tone colours. This could be through cushions or the colours you use for your furniture fabric. If you wanted to be bolder, then you could use a jewel-tone colour on your walls, although if you choose to go this way, you will need to use bolder colours for your soft furnishings to balance it out.
Invest in classic furniture
The furniture of traditional design is very ornate, think tuffted back chairs and carved legs to the armchairs and tables. This furniture is usually weighty as it is made of solid wood. This makes it more expensive, but it will last you longer. It is also possible to pick many traditional furniture in antique shops. A famous piece of traditional furniture is the winged back armchair. This is an excellent example of a way to modernise traditional design. Take a classic furniture shape and use a bolder, more modern fabric to cover it. You will be able to give it a more contemporary feel.
Use fabrics with a heavy weight
In traditional interior design, you will find many layered textiles, from window dressings to multiple cushions on sofas. The fabrics used are high-end, such as silk, velvet, and leather. These will give a sense of grandeur and, when paired with a classic pattern, will pull a traditional interior together. Heavy-weight fabrics are usually used for window dressings. This is a throwback to the fact that keeping a room warm was highly important when designing the curtains. Still, it has continued to be a feature of the style and creates a more luxurious interior.
Choose warm, dark, toned wood
Although grey-toned wood is currently popular, it is not a feature of traditional interior design. A cool-toned timber will make your space feel very modern. If you are trying to create a traditional style, use dark, warm-toned wood. Think mahogany or walnut. Both are excellent choices. While the real thing is always better, timber can be costly, and there are a lot of alternatives out there that are much more budget-friendly. You will want to be careful not to overwhelm the room with too much timber, so make sure your fabric, rugs, and artwork work together to balance out any large pieces of wood you may have.
Traditional interior design can blend with a modern interior
While all of the elements above together combine to create a traditional interior design, it is important to understand that they do not all have to be used together. You can use only a few elements combined with modern interior design elements to create an interior that reflects you and your style. If you want contemporary furniture, you can still add panelling to your walls to give the room a traditional feel. Or use classic silhouettes for your furniture but give them a more modern feel with the fabrics you choose to cover them in. Bolder patterns will make something feel more contemporary. This style has lasted so long because it can be reinvented to work with other interior styles, making it one of the most timeless interior design styles.
This post has been all about traditional interior design and how to create the style in your home.
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