THIS TIMELESS TREND IS MAKING A COMEBACK, AND IT'S RIDICULOUSLY EASY TO STYLE

With a consistent craving for nostalgia, many people are moving away from the ultra-modern home decor styles that have dominated recent trend cycles, instead considering elements from the past to make their spaces feel warm, inviting, and lived-in. Because of this, traditional decor styles are on the upswing again. Now, more renters and homeowners are adding intention and soul back into their homes - oftentimes incorporating a sense of familiarity from childhood - versus trying to achieve showroom-worthy sleekness. Here's everything you need to know about decorating with traditional design, from characteristics of the aesthetic to simple styling tricks. 

This trend is very much rooted in the home decor style that a lot of millennials grew up with, explains Bass, and she especially loves the aesthetic because there's something so timeless and lived-in about it. "I always want my home to feel more cozy and less trendy," she notes, adding that the traditional home decor trend embodies just that. 

Although the look has been gaining popularity, Bethany Struble, a lead designer at Totum Home, notes that traditional style has always had a place in interior design. "I don't think it ever went out of style - it just evolves with the times," she notes. "Part of its [current] appeal is the focus on high-quality materials and craftsmanship." 

When decorating through that traditional lens, Bass says fabric is a major component. "Traditional decor usually includes silk, linen, and other upholstery," she notes. This focus on upholstery and texture is a step away from some of the more minimalistic decor styles that have dominated the last decade, which indicates higher demand for a more cozy energy in our spaces. "Traditional decor brings history and beauty to a space in a really unique way for a home today," Bass adds.

As for traditional color palettes, think beyond just simple light tones - especially in terms of accent pieces. "Using colors like deep blue, burgundy, creamy whites, and olive greens can give a more traditional feel to a room," Struble adds. You can incorporate these colors through textiles and upholstery like rugs and furniture, but it's also worth looking for them in luxe velvet and floral-printed throw pillows. 

Dark wood tones also go hand-in-hand with traditional home design (think: a mahogany chest of drawers or brown ash bed frame that could pass as antiques). The style prizes slightly ornate details, as well, like architectural molding and ceiling medallions, plus elegant drapery or window shades.

Decorating in a traditional home decor style is actually quite easy and achievable - even if you feel like you don't have a knack for interior design. "Traditional design is timeless and blends well with other design styles and modern elements," says Struble. This means you can add it to your current decor landscape and, over time, curate a traditional-leaning style that still feels authentic to you. Here's how to get started.

Traditional home decor might come across as a maximalist trend, but that's not necessarily the case, says Bass. "Traditional styling is less about being a maximalist and more about investing in timeless, high-quality pieces, like a sofa that will last decades, authentic wood furniture, and high-end upholstery," she explains. 

While you might want to consider buying a new couch (I just splurged on my dream velvet green sofa from ANABEI), one of the best places to shop for real-wood furniture is antique and thrift stores. You can even get creative and refinish your finds with different stains and paint colors, or even re-cover wood furniture items like stools and kitchen chairs with high-quality fabric cushions (I can't stop thinking about the House of Hackney Hollyhocks Cotton Spring Linen). 

This is where the traditional home decor trend gets super fun. "I like to think of traditional decor as somewhat of a blank canvas, so I like the idea of bringing in more traditional prints, like a stripe on an accent chair to make the space feel a bit more inspired," says Bass. From there, you can absolutely add in some contrasting prints, like florals or even leopard for a playful take on the trend.  

You might feel like you need to completely redo your space and buy everything all at once to create the traditional decor look, but for Bass, tradition means something that's built over time. "Achieving this style authentically is really about collecting pieces throughout your life and building a home rather than just a house," she notes. "Think: sentimental art pieces, family photos from your travels, etc." 

Struble says one key element of traditional decor is symmetry, so it's worth keeping this in mind when you decorate. "Try using two matching tables and lamps on either side of your sofa for an elevated look," she suggests. 

The charm of traditional home decor lies in unique pieces that feel one-of-a-kind. You don't need to get everything customized, though. Instead, Struble says to look for antiques, detailed woodwork, and darker wood tones while thrifting to find items that feel like family heirlooms.  

Read More from AT Media

We Asked 8 Pro Travelers What They Never Pack in Their Carry-On, and Here's What They Said

See How a Stager Used Paint to Transform a 1950s Living Room

We Tested (and Rated!) All the Sofas at Pottery Barn - Here Are the Best for Every Type of Need

20 Comfortable Office Chairs That Are Perfect for Working from Home

2024-09-13T19:26:02Z dg43tfdfdgfd