Traditional style interior Design is calm, orderly, and predictable. There is nothing wild or chaotic in a traditional room.
Furnishings are classic and might feel outdated. Nothing is a surprise. Pieces match and are consistent.
Furniture and accessories are place in pairs and centered in the room. There is nothing out of place or of a different style. Everything has the look that it goes together.
Traditional style homes feel comfortable for any age group. It’s a familiar look that you’d see in magazines or furniture show rooms. A traditional room is not a place to showcase a piece of modern art or stainless steel furniture.
Here are some of the elements of a traditional room:
Upholstered furniture in a traditional room exhibits classic lines and understated details. It is functional, unfussy, and restful looking. Edges are soft, smooth, and blend into the whole.
Fabrics in a traditional room are generally neither too shiny nor too textured.
Florals, plain colors, muted plaids, understated stripes, geometrics, tone-on-tone and small all-over patterns are common.
Color in a traditional room is often in a mid-range of tones, though very dark and very light colors can also be used.
As in formal settings, furniture in a traditional room is often arranged on straight axis within the room.
The sofa will directly face or sit perpendicular to the fireplace and a bed will back up to the center of the longest bedroom wall.
Interiors in a traditional home will often feature trim and molding that is painted glossy white. Crown molding is common and adds to the formal look. Walls might have a chair rail and simple molding details, with wall surfaces done in a flat painted finish or wallpaper. Ceilings are often white and may have simple beams.
The dining room in a traditional home is generally a separate room, often with some built-in corner cabinets for storage. A large area rug sits on top of a hardwood floor. The table is rectangular with a set of matched chairs placed evenly around the perimeter. A matching sideboard, buffet, or china cabinet is centered on one wall.
Accessories include pairs of lamps, urns, plants, mirrors, framed prints, china, vases, and collections of books. Pairs of objects are usually arranged in balanced symmetry.
Light fixtures exhibit classic styling. Lamps with silk shades, wall sconces, and floor lamps might all be used. Shades should be fairly plain and in ivory or white.