When it comes to home decorating, what does the word timeless mean to you? I posed this question to my subscribers, and got some fantastic answers (as I knew I would). Here is a summary:

  • Timeless decorating is about creating a look in your home that endures the test of time.
  • A timeless interior design doesn’t seem tied to any particular decade or trend.
  • Buying timeless furniture means that you don’t have to replace major items every few years, because the ones you have are classic enough to work with any trend.
  • A design that remains flexible and beautiful over many years.

timeless interior design living room

Simply put, timeless interior design looks great, no matter what the current trend is. But, did you know it can also have some money-saving benefits? Imagine being able to make subtle changes to your room to embrace new trends, without having to overhaul your furniture, remodel, or repaint the entire house! That’s why so many people strive for timeless over trendy. Trends come and go, sometimes quickly, and your personal style evolves over time. Wouldn’t it be amazing if your decorating could adapt along with the trends, and work for a variety of styles over the years?

So, how do you achieve a timeless look in your home? Read on to see my 10 tips for timeless decorating.

1. Buy Furniture with Clean Lines

Furniture with clean, simple lines has always been popular, and for good reason! It has an understated, sophisticated look that tends to work with most design styles. Avoid furniture with ornate details or unusual shapes, and instead look for comfortable, well-constructed furniture pieces in neutral fabrics. That doesn’t mean your furniture can’t have any ornamentation – turned legs, tufting and nailhead trim are all classic details that never go out of style. Just don’t over do it! 

timeless decorating furniture with clean lines

2. Choose Neutral Colors for Walls and Furniture

Neutral colors are timeless because they work with any style or color palette. With a neutral wall color, you can change up other colors in the room without having to repaint. A neutral sofa color allows you to introduce colorful new pillows, rugs, and accessories to completely change up your look, without having to decorate around your sofa color. If you want to get the most flexibility from your wall colors and furniture, choose neutral shades!

3. Use Trendy Colors and Patterns as Accents

Timeless decorating doesn’t mean that you never embrace any trends! It just means that the main pieces of your design aren’t centered around one particular trend. So, go ahead and incorporate that hot color of the year, but consider limiting it to accents and accessories. For example, update your bedding and paint an accent wall behind your bed to completely change the look of your bedroom.  Buy some new pillow covers in a trendy pattern to freshen up your living room. Add new wall decor and update decorative accessories to easily transition from one style to another.

Want to know the best thing about limiting trendy colors and patterns to accents? They can be easily swapped out when you get sick of them or when they inevitably go out of style. I don’t know about you, but my style is always evolving and changing, so I like the flexibility of being able to change things up!

4. Less is More

One thing is for sure, clutter has been a bad look in every decade! Timeless spaces tend to have a pulled-together, clean, clutter-free look to them. Keep your decor simple and streamlined, and resist the urge to fill up every blank space or empty corner. A good design needs visual interest in a room, but it also needs breaks and soft places for our eyes to land. 

minimalist living room timeless home decorating

Source: Elle Decor

5. Blend Old and New

Another tip for achieving a timeless look in your home, is to blend old and new pieces, such that your design spans multiple decades, or can’t be tied to any one. Antiques become “timeless” when they can be used in a modern-day setting, and still look great! By mixing pieces with both classic and modern influences, you’ll be able to create a lived-in, interesting, and sophisticated look. So, embrace the vintage pieces you love, and don’t be afraid to pair them with contemporary accents for an ageless look.

6. Some Colors Never go out of Style

There are certain colors that have been popular throughout the years, even as color trends have come and gone. These classic hues include neutrals (blacks, creams, beiges), navy blue, and darker shades of green. These timeless interior design colors just never seem to go out of style, and are very safe choices for an ageless look. Navy blue and black also happen to be a very trendy colors in the design world these days, so it’s a win-win! 

timeless navy and white living room

7. Use Traditional Patterns

Using classic patterns, such as stripes, damasks, plaids, and florals, can create a timeless feeling in your room. These patterns have been widely used and popular for many years, and they represent a classic, traditional look. In general, I recommend using classic patterns for furniture pieces that you’ll likely be holding onto for many years, and use more trendy patterns (like chevron or an animal print) for things like accent pillows and accessories. 

traditional timeless patterns

Source: McGee and Co

8. Incorporate Natural Materials

Home decorating has long been inspired by the nature we see around us, and there’s no reason to expect this to change in the future. It’s not surprising then, that timeless interior design often makes use of natural materials, like wood, stone, baskets, and plants. Natural elements are one of the keys to creating a cozy and completed space. Just remember that balance is everything in design, so you never want to go completely overboard using any one material. 

9. Embrace Built-Ins

Built-ins have been a highly desirable feature in homes for decades – I happen to be a huge fan! Not only are they functional and add tons of storage, but they have a way of creating a cozy, grounded feeling in a room. From built-in bookcases around the fireplace, to library shelves in the office, to mudrooms and window seats…you just cannot go wrong with built-ins for a timeless, enduring look. Have older built-ins you’re not in love with? You’d be amazed what a coat of paint can do to revive and modernize them.

10. Install Crown Moulding

Many newly-built homes lack the character and architectural details of older homes, especially when it comes to trim and millwork. But, it’s those traditional details that often give a home a classic, timeless feel. Crown moulding can elevate the design of your space by creating a soft, elegant transition between your walls and the ceiling, giving the room a more polished look overall. Once considered a luxury, crown moulding is inexpensive and fairly easy to install for DIY homeowners. 

crown molding timeless home decorating

Well, there you have it…10 tips for timeless home decorating! Just remember, timeless interior design is not about showcasing the latest trends, but it also doesn’t mean you have to have a stuffy, formal look. It’s about choosing furniture pieces that are functional and flexible, using colors and patterns that will endure the test of time, and creating a room design that is adaptable for your evolving style preferences and the latest trends.