What Is Timeless Design?

Before I get into the specifics of how to get the look in your home, here are a few elements of timeless design.

• Neutrals – a neutral background is a key feature of timeless interior design.
• Clean lines – highlight the lines and shapes of your house’s architectural details.
• Colors – feature colors like navy blue, dark green, and black that will always be in style. Dark colors like these complement neutrals.
• Antique furniture – decorate with antiques that contribute to the timelessness of a space’s décor. Whether a piece that’s been in your family for years or a traditional piece, furniture that's stood the test of time makes for the right atmosphere.
• Patterns – use time-tested patterns such as stripes, checks, and plaids.
• Natural materials – stay away from plastic and synthetics.
• Proportions – select furniture in proportion to the space.

The end result should be a room that exudes subtlety, simplicity, and elegance.

Achieving a Timeless Look in Your Home

If you're ready to get a look for your home that will stand the test of time, follow these guidelines to get the perfect look.

1) Symmetry

When you keep in mind symmetry and balance, your interior design will always be pleasing to the human eye.

There are 2 ways to achieve symmetry in your design:

A) Divide Space in Half

The easiest way to achieve symmetry is to divide the space in half and use pairs of the same or similar objects to create matching halves of the room.

B) Use a Focal Point

The other option is to choose certain focal points and create symmetry around them. You can use a sofa or mantle – be creative, as long as you create a mirror image (matching sofas) or two balanced, complementary halves (mantle as a focal point).

A symmetrical room offers a sense of balance that is pleasing and soothing to the human eye.

2) Use of Classic Patterns

Classic patterns are the hallmark of timeless interiors – plaids, stripes, florals, and damasks. This means giving up animal prints, chevrons, and cluttered geometric prints. If you love these patterns, use them mindfully, and be aware that these patterns don’t always weather the test of time very well.

Another guideline for using patterns is to limit the number of patterns in a room to three in three different sizes. For instance, consider mixing a large striped sofa with checked curtains and a floral rug. You can play with the sizes however you like as long as you have three scales.

3) Quality over Quantity

It is important to keep in mind that quality materials are timeless. This means that instead of cluttering up a space with multiple pieces that confuse the eye, you use a few quality, eye-catching pieces.

Choose good quality furniture, upholstery, and accessories. With high-quality pieces, you get outstanding durability and a beautiful look that lasts.

4) Creating a Focal Point

Focal points add an aesthetic dimension and elevate the look of any space. They are accents in a room that draw the eye in a pleasing way. Some rooms have natural focal points, such as a fireplace, French doors, or a large picture window with a gorgeous view. If the room doesn’t have a natural focal piece, you can create one by painting a statement wall or adding artwork.

5) Tone Down on the Tech

It seems like we can’t live without our devices, so if you can't give up your TV, at least hide it or tone it down. It helps that TVs and speakers aren’t as big and bulky as they used to be. Tech has gotten smaller and more inconspicuous, so even if you are the most avid TV viewer, it is easier to create décor in a way that doesn’t put the TV front and center in the space.