Timeless interiors are engaging, inspiring spaces that remain relevant regardless of shifting trends.
The most successful timeless designs are an eclectic mix of traditional, contemporary, and classic elements that feel like they have been personally curated. They are spaces that exude a sense of balance and harmony, not easily identified with any specific design style despite often having individual components of many different styles.
Striking The Perfect Eclectic Balance: Combining Traditional And Contemporary Elements
The key to designing a space that will stand the test of time is to use classic elements to balance out the items with a strong design style.
A simple example is a mid-century lounge chair with a strong stylized vibe balanced by a sofa with simple classic lines. By using a visually quieter sofa as a backdrop, we enforce a timeless feel rather than adding a mid-century modern sofa and leaning into modern design.
Our timeless design will become even more interesting as we add elements from various periods. For instance, combining the classic sofa and mid-century chair with an antique chest would make the space feel more eclectic and shift it further from being associated with any one interior design style. The key is to offset these opinionated pieces with more neutral elements.
To learn more about balance, read our blog “Mastering the 7 Principles of Interior Design.”
Tips For Creating A Timeless Interior Design for your Home
Creating a space that will stand the test of time is a dance that requires focus and discipline.
Start With A Plan
While every successful design project should start with well-defined objectives and a plan to achieve them, it’s essential when the goal is to create a timeless space. Your plan will guide you as you make each design decision and help you avoid making choices that upset the balance.
Begin by carefully examining your home’s style, architectural elements, and the existing items you want to incorporate into the design. As you develop a plan, consider how the style of these pieces works together and what would be required to balance them. Once the existing elements are balanced, you can add more stylized items and neutral pieces to maintain the balance.
For more on getting your design project started, get our free project workbook here.
Incorporate Architectural Details
Every house has an architectural style, and it’s important to respect that style and be considerate about how you integrate it into a design. Just like when creating a balance between furniture pieces, you will need to consider how to balance the style of architectural elements.
For instance, an open plan is associated with a contemporary style and might be shifted to feel more timeless by adopting a more geometric, formal furniture arrangement. Similarly, a more traditional home with divided spaces can be made to feel more open and timeless with lighting and paint.
A word of caution, ignoring your home’s architectural style will always backfire. Nothing looks more dated than a space pretending to be something it is not. Always start a project by considering the existing design elements of the architecture.
Tone Down Elements That Are Too Loud
If existing architectural elements are blatantly dated, tweak them to be less dominant. For instance, a tired brick fireplace painted in a neutral tone can be transformed into an interesting textural backdrop.
Similarly, painting a vintage piece of furniture can neutralize its style, and reupholstering a sofa or lounge chair in a neutral textile can shift a dated piece to the classic category.
Wood floors are an asset and contribute generously to a timeless vibe. However, it’s worth refinishing them with updated stain colors if they have a dated pinkish or yellow tone. If refinishing isn’t an option, you can minimize their effects with area rugs.
Keep The Color Palette Simple But Not Neutral
It’s a misconception that timeless interiors must be neutral. In fact, a dynamic, timeless design will integrate color in a refined and thoughtful way.
A simple and elegant approach is to create a neutral backdrop with layers of shades and textures and then add focus to the space with color. This can be achieved with an accent wall of paint, a pop of color in upholstery, accessories, or artwork. The key is to show restraint in the amount of color you use and be deliberate in how it’s integrated.
To avoid trendy color palettes, start your project by carefully considering how you want the space to feel.
Be conscious of color combinations and create a balanced palette that doesn’t reference historic color palettes. Make it uniquely your own.
A timeless home will have a cohesive color palette that flows throughout and can be dialed up or down as you move from one space to another. Keep your entire home in mind as you develop the palette.
No design can be entirely immune to color and design trends. By keeping the more expensive items simple, you will leave room to easily tweak the other design elements to keep the space fresh.
Whether adding built-in shelving, replacing flooring, or changing stone or tile, our rule is to play it safe. When making color and style decisions, be aware of past and present trends and ideally select items with simple, clean lines and neutral colors.
Invest In Quality Furniture
Remember, the goal of timeless design isn’t for everything to blend together but for the more significant elements in the room to act as a backdrop and balance out the more opinionated pieces.
With that in mind, investing in the highest-quality upholstered furniture pieces your budget allows is always worthwhile. These pieces will wear well over time and contribute to a sense of sophistication and elegance. Select well-designed classic pieces with simple, timeless lines that will set the tone for more stylized furniture choices. Note: Be aware of textile fiber content and remember that natural fibers have a more timeless quality.
Get more creative with smaller pieces of furniture, such as side chairs, tables, and case pieces. Take the time to find pieces you love that will add character to the space, and don’t be afraid to take some risks and mix seemingly disparate styles.
A Personalized Space Is Always Timeless
The personal layers you add to a space will make it interesting, dynamic, and timeless.
Integrate photos and books that reflect your life and interests. Find ways to integrate family heirlooms into your decor. Plan to collect artwork and accessories when you travel that reflect your style and are connected to your story.
Achieve A Timeless Look On Any Budget
Although we consider timeless interiors elegant, the look can be achieved with a limited budget. The best and most straightforward approach is to have a plan and add items as your budget allows.
Once you know what you’re looking for, make it a habit to visit vintage and consignment shops and let the vendors know what you’re looking for. Facebook Marketplace and local estate sales are another great way to stay on budget and find secondhand treasures.
If you’re open to learning a new skill, doing it yourself is another great way to save money and give your space a personal touch.
To get more tips on Budget-Friendly Decorating, visit our blog here.
Create A Plan To Keep Your Design Fresh
As we discussed earlier, no design is entirely immune to the effects of time despite all of our best efforts.
The most engaging and sophisticated interiors are designed to evolve over time to accommodate our changing lives. When planning your initial design, consider how the space might be adjusted from one season to the next or over the years.
You may use placeholder items in the initial design until you find the ideal item. Examples include frames with basic prints that can be changed for original artwork later or simple accessories you plan to replace with items from travel, thrifting, or antiquing.
The best approach to creating a timeless interior is slowly acquiring furniture, artwork, and accessories you love. Treat the items in your home like a curated collection with room to evolve or change, and always be on the lookout for the perfect missing piece!
Sometimes, A Little Extra Guidance From An Interior Designer Goes A Long Way
Whether you’re updating a room or reimagining an entire home, our team is here to help you realize your vision. If you want to expand your design knowledge or would like some professional guidance, we’d love to help. We’ll collaborate with you to create the perfect look and feel for your home. Learn more about our virtual interior design solutions here.
