Classic, elegant, timeless…. These are only a few of the adjectives you might hear someone use to describe traditional interior design. “In keeping with its name, traditional design has its roots in tradition, or the past,” says Paloma Contreras, a Houston-based interior designer, author of Dream Design Live, and member of the AD PRO Directory. If you like the sound of rooms that look like modern versions of something you might find in Versailles, traditional interior design might just be for you. To learn more about the sophisticated and refined style, AD spoke with Contreras as well as Elizabeth Ghia, a Miami-based interior designer and member of the AD PRO Directory.
What is traditional interior design?
When talking about traditional interior design, most are referencing a design style that originated in the 18th and 19th century throughout Europe. However, it’s worth noting that other cultures have their own versions of a traditional style that may not look the same as this more Western version. “If you can envision Louis XVI dining chairs, an English Regency mahogany dining table, balloon shades, loads of passementerie, or Chippendale influences, any of these are part of the foundation of traditional design,” Contreras explains. “There is also a common thread of formality or appropriateness woven through traditional interiors.”
Despite its lengthy history, the decorating style isn’t dated, stuffy, or boring. Rather, it takes cues from this point in history and reinterprets them in a modern way. According to Contreras, when done correctly, a traditional home will feel polished and curated.
According to Ghia, a traditional interior can also reference something that feels timeless with no expiration date. “Traditional, to me, means collected and evolved,” she says. “Historically, people inherited furniture from their parents, and furniture and textiles were passed down from generation to generation.” This occurrence made home evolve in a way that included pieces from various eras and style, creating a natural collection of historic and modern additions. In this way, it can be similar to transitional interiors; however, traditional ones tend to make more use of classic design.
History of traditional interior design
As noted, the look many classify as a traditional interior design style has its origins in Europe during the 18th and 19th century, particularly in England and France. During this time, people were largely inspired by the art and culture of classical antiquity, which isn’t all that different from today. While we often describe design from this era as neoclassical, according to Encyclopaedia Britannica, it was known as the Empire style in France and, in England, as Regency. “The usual vocabulary of classical ornament is to be found in both Empire and Regency, with some modifications from earlier times,” the encyclopedia reads.
Architecture and interiors honored the age-old study of symmetry, curves in furniture started to disappear, and ornamentation became less dramatic. Decor objects also started to change: Cream-colored earthenware began to replace ceramics and Greek vase shapes came into vogue, per the encyclopedia. “Historically, the color palette would have been comprised of rich colors and rich dark wood finishes,” Contreras adds.
Today, traditional interiors reference motifs from this era with a similar emphasis on polished, curated interiors. However, Ghia says it can also be interpreted a bit more loosely. “Nowadays, I think the word ‘traditional’ is very broad and, to me, can mean anything over 50 years old,” she says. “Newer items, that is things that are 30–40 years old, we just tend to classify as ‘vintage.’”
To design in a traditional way, she recommends looking for pieces that represent a variety of eras and style. “For example, a tapestry hung on a wall, a textile draped over a sofa back, additional ceramics, further pieces of art, well-loved items, objects with meaning to their owner.” Despite this, a traditional style home should not feel “overtly informal or eclectic,” Contreras adds. Instead, by using a combination of polished antique furniture and modern design, the look honors its 18th and 19th century French and English roots without looking outdated.
Defining elements and characteristics of traditional interior design
To better understand just what exactly creates traditional decor, it’s important to know just what elements you’d find within this style. “It can typically be a mix of historical styles ranging from Jacobean to midcentury modern, for example, and, if done well, a few styles can be mixed in a way that makes it look as if the home evolved over time,” Ghia explains.
Though not exhaustive, a traditional interior will often make use of the following elements:
- Emphasis on symmetry and order
- Traditional architectural details such wainscoting and crown molding
- Classic decor elements such as chandeliers and bookcases
- Neutral color schemes with pops of bold colors, often in jewel tones
- Upholstery and textiles tend to be subtler (cotton, velvet, or wool, for example)
- Furniture pieces with traditional silhouettes, though they’re often updated with modern elements or finishes
- Layered window treatments and draperies, though curtain valances aren’t used often
- Classic patterns such as plaids, damask, or florals
- Flooring tends to make use of darker wood
Examples of traditional interior design
To gather some design ideas, consider these projects from Ghia and Contreras.
How to bring traditional interior design into your home
If you’re interested in creating a traditional interior in your home, Ghia and Contreras have first-rate design tips to help you do so. “My advice would be to start collecting things you love and that have meaning to you. We always ask our clients to tell us about themselves, so that we can design their interiors in a way that is meaningful to their backgrounds and way of living,” she says. “Nothing is off-limits, even a few pops of modern will work well in a traditional interior and make it feel relevant and up to date in today’s world.”
While shopping and collecting, Contreras has advice to ensure you nail the traditional look. “A good rule of thumb is to choose traditional silhouettes for the big investment pieces—like your sofa or dining table—so that you have a foundation that will never go out of style and that you can easily build on,” she says. For example, you may outfit your home with a solid wood dining table in a classic rectangular shape with Louis XVI chairs, but add modern art and light fixtures to the room to bring it into the present. “My approach is to begin with a foundation of classic silhouettes and antiques to which I then add a bit of freshness through the colors, textiles, art, and lighting I select,” Contreras adds.
When it comes to traditional home decor, trendy pieces are best used sparingly so as not to create a space that looks too “today.” This will also save you from a room that looks dated 10 years from now. “Nothing is worse than stepping into a space and knowing it was designed in the early 2000s, 2010s, etcetera,” Ghia says. Luckily, with patience, this can be avoided. “Something else to realize is that interiors don’t need to be completed overnight, if you are doing them yourself,” she adds. “Take your time in choosing things and space out purchases over time.”
