Do you wish you were confident to pick out furniture and home decor that would stand the test of time and not go out of style in the near future? You can! Here are 10 tips for choosing timeless decor.
Timeless decor is a goal for most home decorators. It’s beautiful and feels fresh. But most importantly timeless decor looks updated for a long time. A timeless look is achievable! Here are 10 tips to help you choose timeless decor for your home.
When it comes to style I have a bit of a short attention span! I’m wild about many current trends and styles. But I’ll admit that I get tired of them quickly and am often waiting for the next newest decor trends to come around the corner!
But I’m savvy enough to know that trends come and go… and come and go quickly! So although I love many styles, I am very choosy about what decor ends up in our home.
Even though I can appreciate many home decor styles and trends I love a timeless look most of all.
Timesless decor is just that, home furnishings and accent decor that have stood the test of time and still look relevant and up to date! These pieces may not be the latest trend but they still look beautiful and very much in style!
Timeless decor is also a team player! It looks great when mixed with other styles!
No wonder striving for decor with a timeless look is a coveted goal when decorating.
Timeless decor is classic! It’s stood up to time and won!
It’s important to mention what timeless decor is not! Timeless decor is not…
- fussy
- overstuffed
- loud
- out of date
- something that makes other things in your room look dated
Now that you know what timeless decor is and is not, here are 10 tips to help you add timeless decor to your home!
FUNCTIONAL AND FABULOUS TIMELESS DECOR
Timeless furnishings should be comfortable! If you are going to have a piece of furniture, like a sofa, for a number of years make it the most comfortable one you can find. Look for
Make sure the styling on these foundational furnishings is not too trendy or lackluster! A classically beautiful sofa or chair or table is the backbone of a timeless look!
The curlacue chest in our living room is a good example of a classic piece of furniture. I love it as much as the first day it came to live with us over ten years ago!
KEEP TRENDY COLORS AND PATTERNS FOR ACCENTS
Timeless decor means fabrics that will stand up to years of changing trends! Timeless fabrics transcend those changes.
Don’t rush out and buy foundational furniture in the “color of the year”! It’s only the “color of the year” for one year! Choose colors and patterns, especially when buying big ticket items, that will still look amazing when this year’s trends have come and gone! Think CLASSIC!
Add layers of accent decor like lamps, art, tableware, pillows, bedding, etc. in more updated colors and styles. They can be changed out easily when they get tired or are out of style!
The white buffet is a classic piece of furniture. Neutral in color with simple lines. It’s a piece that will stand the test of time. But the large clock above it is a bit more trendy. I found this clock on sale for $27.00 years ago. Its original dark brown frame has been painted twice to update it. As far as I’m concerned it owes me nothing! And when (and if) I get tired of it I won’t mind letting it go!
CHANGE PILLOWS AND THROWS TO REFLECT THE SEASON OR MOOD
Pillows and throws are like jewelry to our home decor! They can be relatively inexpensive and add lots of pop and pizzazz to a timeless look! Here’s where to add just-now colors and patterns! And have fun! When furniture is timeless introducing a little decor trend and sass is possible!
The spindle chairs that flank our fireplace are examples of timeless furniture. They might not be the newest trend for this year but they still look pretty and fresh. They are the perfect foil for lots and lots of fun and interesting pillows!
Here are a few pillow combinations that have lived on the spindle chairs…
There are so many reasons to love pillows! They can change the mood and look of a room and give it an updated look!
NEUTRALS ARE THE EPITOME OF TIMELESS DECOR
Neutral colors, for me, are the biggest bang for my bucks. They are perfectly timeless and these tone-upon-tone colors work with almost any pop of color or style! And they play so well together!
Neutrals never go out of style! They evoke a clean, fresh feel and are the epitome of timeless decor!
Since I changed to a neutral color palette over a decade ago my home feels bright and up to date no matter what’s new in the decor world! It was the best decorating decision I have ever made!
Neutral colors run the gamut from the snowest white to creams, beiges, taupes, caramels, charcoals, grays, and more. They can be light and airy or deep and moody! No wonder neutrals are part of so many timeless rooms.
DON’T OVERCROWD A DECOR SPACE
Timeless decor respects the space it’s in. No need to crowd a space when you are decorating with timeless, classic furnishings! Honor each piece of these beautiful furnishings and give them room to breathe!
BE DETAIL ORIENTED FOR A TIMELESS LOOK
Spend extra time thinking about and choosing every decor detail with care.
Pay attention to lighting and seating and mirrors and art and candles and objets d’art. Pay attention to everything!
With a timeless look, less is often best. Ask yourself if what you choose to put in a room is something you love and is worthy of the space it takes up!
Give yourself time to sit in a room and daydream about how it could look. This is time well spent!
Even the empty spaces in a home should be thought out too!
BLEND OLD AND NEW
A Timeless look often blends old and new. I absolutely love the juxtaposition of old and new decor! It looks collected or curated. Take your time to add timeless furnishings and other more trendy items to your home. Be picky and don’t be afraid to pass up a piece because you just don’t love it.
One of the biggest decor offenses is to buy everything for a room at once. It will never look like YOU. It might look like the showroom floor or the designer who helped you put the room together. But that is not our goal. Take time to marry things you have with things you bring into your home. You just can’t rush a timeless look!
Painted furniture is a new classic and not just a trend anymore! So paint an old outdated piece of furniture with a great new fresh color. Or upholster something outdated with a pretty new fabric! It’s like giving a second life
EDIT COLLECTIONS TO JUST A FEW
Many of us love to collect something! And if you are a collector I bet you love showing your collection off. For a timeless look, edit your collection to only the “best”. And rotate your precious items and display a few at a time!
Less is more when it comes to displaying collections because they often date a look (sorry, but true). Which is the opposite of timeless! So display the things you collect with an edited hand.
CURATE YOUR TIMELESS LOOK
To “curate” means to choose, organize and look after something! Today, we have talked about “choosing” timeless decor. We have mentioned “organizing” or how to use your timeless furnishing in a space. Now let’s make sure we look after our furniture to keep it looking its best. Part of a curated look is “caring” for it!
A timeless look is well cared for and neat as a pin. Free from dust bunnies and stains! Nothing ruins a timeless look like unkempt areas and furniture that has seen better days!
When a timeless piece finally starts looking tired, it can be repainted, slipcovered, or reupholstered as long as the frame is still good! And it can continue to give you years of service!
LIVE WITH WHAT YOU LOVE
Most important of all is to live with what you love! If you are looking for that timeless classic, choose pieces that YOU want to live with for quite a while! It’s your home and your sanctuary! Make it a reflection of wonderful YOU!
And don’t settle for any decor you don’t love… EVER! Make sure you want to live with what you have not just
I end so many decorating posts talking about the importance of living with what you love!
If you love timeless decor, and so many of us do, you now have a few tips to help achieve the look in your home! Achieving a timeless look is a process! Enjoy the journey, friend!
Now it’s time to put these tips into practice in your home!
THESE POSTS WILL HELP YOU BE A BETTER DECORATOR…
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE DESIGN ELEMENT BALANCE
HOW TO DECORATE YOUR HOME, THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
7 TIPS FOR AN UNCLUTTERED LOOKING HOME
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE COLOR BEIGE
Great and timeless tips!
BTW- Have you ever thought about a metal/glass coffee table in your great room? Of course I’m not the one with the fabulous decorating blog. 😆
I just got a glass coffee table right after Christmas and sent it back. Not sure what to do yet.
Absolutely love your beautiful timeless style. Hoping to get a spindle chair one day!
Oh, they are my favorite! I hope you can get one too.
Could you do a post on lamp shades and picking the right style for the lamp and room?
I have some lamps I love but the shades are broken and the style is old but pleasing. How do I pick the right
shade for the shape of the lamp?
Thank you in advance. Love your help with decorating!
Hi Barbara. That is such a great idea, thanks! Mostly I choose drum shades. They look updated and fit almost any style.
Hi Yvonne! I have been searching for an area rug for my living room and love the diamond pattern one you chose! You offered the link in one of your posts but it appears much more “orange” than yours. Was it originally offered in different shades? I need something that leans more towards taupe.
Hi Diane, here’s the link:https://rstyle.me/+DF9OcYN_rlfzShtOr5HJgw
I double checked the link and I agree it does look more brown in the image. But our rug is more taupe for sure. Hope this helps. It is really a beautiful rug.
I love your timeless style and enjoy reading your blog everyday! I have a clock that is dark that I am looking to paint. What paint did you use on your clock?
Here is a post about how I painted the clock:https://www.stonegableblog.com/upscaling-and-rescuing-things-you-love/
Thank you!
I love this. Such great info. I would love it if you would share this on The Fabulous Friday Link Party this Friday. https://www.peacockridgefarm.com/category/fabulous-friday-link-party/
Hugs to you.
Love your style, Beautiful!
Can you mix wood colors? I have quite a bit of cherry queen Anne furniture and would love to change to something more up to date but cannot afford to change all of it. Where should I start?
Yes, mix wood just like color. You might like to read How To Mix Warm And Cool Colors and use the concepts for wood. See the post here: https://www.stonegableblog.com/can-you-mix-warm-and-cool-colors-in-decor/
Thank you!
Will you be offering virtual consultation in the future?
If so I would love your expertise in the Spring
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Linda
I am so busy with my blog and other things I am not offering decorating consultations right now.
I would love to know where to find your spindle chairs. I have found some on Amazon, but not quite as nice. Yours are gorgeous!
Hi Tracy, here you go:https://rstyle.me/+b49DdlmabcpSOB8ocnwM_w
I always enjoy your posts. Where do you find your beautiful napkins?
I found them on Amazon. Here you go:https://amzn.to/34Lm6Sw
There can be a a look that looks so generic and mass produced and not timeless. I want to do timeless like your beautiful home. I was shopping at Christmas and was in the “Christmas decor aisle” at a department store. I felt the “I want a Christmas thing” that I think you can feel an impulse for. I looked over the stuff and noticed these glitter reindeer. I did not want foam glitter reindeer. It is ok if that is something someone likes, but I don’t like that look. . I passed the aisle up and went and bought chocolate candy instead. At home I still sat feeling like “I want a Christmas thing.”. I really wanted an heirloom type Christmas thing, not temporary one season reindeer. I was in a thrift store a week later and found two large brass reindeer from the 1950s that looked sculptural, for the exact same price as the two small foam glitter covered reindeer. I can’t break the brass reindeer, and we couldn’t stop looking at them and how pretty they are. I am always going to love them. I had to say no at the not-so-timeless store and go home with just candy (not empty handed!), then found the timeless things I love.