4 Principles of Timeless Living Room Design

Fads come and go, but classic living room design is ageless. Following are some design ideas you can incorporate into your overall home design to achieve that classic, timeless look that never goes out of style.

1. Stay Away from Fads

The first rule of thumb to achieve a classic look is to stay away from fads or over-the-top “theme” rooms. For example, it is one thing to incorporate a marine or ocean element into your design and something else entirely to decorate your room to look like you are stepping onto a shipwrecked boat. Themed rooms are fine for whimsical Key West hotels or Bed-and-Breakfast joints, but not for everyday living. If you are an ocean enthusiast and want to capture that “beach feel” one way to achieve that is by incorporating one or two key elements into your design. For example, a charming lighthouse style lamp would do the trick. You can also add an ocean-themed painting or two. Next, truly capture the feel of the water by choosing a cool slate blue paint for your walls and decorate with crisp, white accents.

2. Keep It Neutral

Probably the easiest way to obtain classic living room design is to keep it neutral and simple. Choose living room furniture that has clean, simple lines, with few embellishments. Darker wood tones coordinate effortlessly with many styles of design and also have a timeless appeal.

3. Choose Color Wisely

Stay away from fad paint colors. It is preferable to opt for neutral paint colors in the beige or tan family and incorporate punches of color through accessories, such as throw pillows and curtains. These are easy to switch out when fads change.

4. Incorporate Stripes and Geometric Shapes

Stripes have an ageless appeal, always looking crisp, fresh and now. Again, if choosing a striped pattern for your living room accessories, choose classic color combinations in the stripes, like reds and tans or blues and creams. Think of the color combinations you like to wear in your clothing, such as nice navy blue slacks with a lovely cream-colored top, and you will never go wrong. Experiment with fun striped curtains or throw pillows and see how your space is transformed. Geometric shapes also add a fun touch to an overall neutral color scheme, keeping your living room on the cutting edge, but still with a classic touch.

Don’t be afraid to add a few fun colors within your design or even a quirky design element, such as a funky lamp or an interesting painting. Be creative, but remember to stick to neutral paint colors on your walls and clean-lined furniture pieces if you want to achieve a truly classic look.