7 timeless design elements that will never go out of style

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What is timeless decor?

A timeless piece of home decor is a design element, either a piece of furniture or architectural feature, that isn’t tied to a specific trend or time period. It’s essentially something that can feature in any style of room and fit right in – whether your tastes are traditional or more postmodern!

Timeless pieces of furniture might be seen in homes for decades, perhaps moved from room to room as trends and requirements change. They may even be passed through the generations!

Want to know more about timeless design? I’ve identified seven timeless interior design elements that will give your home a classic and cohesive edge, as well as how to check that a piece is truly timeless.

7 timeless home decor elements you should invest in

1. Built-ins

Got a weird and awkward space in a room, and you don’t know what to do with it? It’s time to get out the wood and make a built-in!

A built-in doesn’t just maximize space, but it makes your room look custom and cohesive. And most importantly… it adds character!

Think of a cozy reading nook in a children’s bedroom, a secluded seating area in a living room, or even built-in shelves for showing off your books or LPs!

Yes, these projects take time, but if you’re mulling a built-in over, I say go for it! It’s a classic and functional feature that will serve your home well in the years to come.

2. Antique and vintage furniture

Have you ever been to someone’s house only to find that they’re still using a sideboard that belonged to their grandparents? That’s the beauty of antique and vintage furniture! This furniture is made from higher quality materials, meaning it lasts longer.

Antique and vintage furniture isn’t just a quirky talking point; it adds texture, color, and history to your home. And the great thing is, you don’t need to blow your budget on a house full of antique and vintage decor; all you need is one or two statement pieces. 

The best part? Searching for antique and vintage furniture and trinkets is a fun day out! While you can buy online, it’s always best to see pieces in person so you can see if there’s any damage and visualize how they will look in your home. So grab a friend, make plans for lunch, and start scouring the antique shops and flea markets near you!

I’m often asked what the difference between antique and vintage furniture is. Vintage pieces are generally between 30 and 100 years old, while antique furniture is anything over 100 years old.

3. Solid wood furniture

If you are looking for timeless pieces, solid wood furniture, and not MDF, is the way forward. This type of furniture is an investment – it’s well-made and durable and will last for years. The quality of materials used in solid wood furniture is generally higher than that used in MDF and can be a great addition to any home.

So if you want something that is long-lasting and looks really good, I would suggest going with solid wood furniture over MDF pieces. You won’t regret it!

Check out some of my favorite solid wood pieces available on Wayfair!

4. A neutral color palette

One of the easiest ways to make any room of your home timeless is to stick with a neutral color palette. This means using whites, grays, beiges, and blacks to decorate – maybe even mixing things up with a spot of greige! 😉

Neutral colors are timeless because they are versatile and always look stylish, wherever you use them. While you might want to paint your living room neon pink on a whim, chances are that you’ll be fed up with it in two months’ time!

Neutral colors are an excellent choice for home decor because they provide a perfect canvas for incorporating other colors and patterns. By using neutral shades on your walls, furniture, or floors, you create a versatile backdrop that allows you to update your rooms with ease. With neutrals, you can easily mix and match different colors and accessories without worrying about clashing or overwhelming your space. This makes redecorating your home a breeze and ensures that your decor will always look stylish and put-together.

Case in point, this rug I just bought from Wayfair for my home office! I chose a neutral color that I knew would not only match my current walls, curtains and floors. But I also knew it would be easy to pair with other colors if I change them in the future.

(PS – I got my previous office area rug from Wayfair as well! It was more colorful but it was still very versatile – I used it in several rooms around my home over the past 5 years. I still love it, I was just ready for a change in my office space! Check out my previous rug here!)

Check out my guides to creating a neutral living room, bedroom, and dining room!

5. Traditional millwork

Millwork refers to the custom-made woodwork, such as moldings, baseboards, window casings, and paneling, that is installed in the interior of a building. Millwork is often designed to enhance the architectural features of a space or to add decorative elements that can help create a specific style or atmosphere. In interior design, millwork is commonly used to add texture, depth, and character to walls, ceilings, and other surfaces

You might think that millwork makes a room complicated and fussy, and the best course of action is to rip it all out before you start decorating – some designers do this but I don’t recommend taking that course of action! On the contrary – millwork is a crucial element of timeless home decor!

Millwork is a great way to add depth, character and TIMELESSNESS to a room and is easy to customize if you want to make a room feel more contemporary. For example, let’s take wainscoting. You can paint it, wallpaper above it, hang some pieces of modern artwork above it… the choice is yours!

6. White window frames

Black window frames are on trend at the moment. They look modern, make your home stand out, and offer a contrasting look to your home.

However, what is ‘on trend’ eventually goes out of style. You don’t want to drop thousands of dollars on new frames that look great now, but will date rapidly in the next few years.

Plus, from a personal perspective, black frames, whether they’re vinyl or aluminum, eventually fade to brown and start looking gungy. Not a good look!

White window frames are a more timeless option. They go with a broader range of colors, help lift and brighten your room, and are less obtrusive.

(However, if you have your heart set on a black window frame, there is room for compromise. Keep reading to find out more!)

7. Stripes

You might not think stripes are timeless, but this pattern has been used throughout history! 

The Romans used them to mark churches and other sacred buildings. Aristocrats, including the Victorians, wore stripes to show off their wealth. French fishermen wore stripes during the 19^th century because it made them easier to find if they fell overboard. And let’s not forget Coco Chanel making striped clothing a design classic!

If you want a pattern that stands the test of time in your home, you can’t go wrong with stripes, especially the soft and gentle lines that ticking stripes provide. Bonus points if your stripes come in a neutral color!

Whether in a curtain, rug, or bedspread, horizontal or vertical, striped fabric offers a classic look, but with a little more intrigue than a plainer colorway. I personally love stripes in neutrals 💗 Check out these gorgeous timeless striped pieces available on Wayfair!

Timeless and trendy, the best of both worlds!

When I released my YouTube video about timeless interior design elements, there was a lot of interesting debate in the comments. While some people were keen to fill their homes with timeless decor, others weren’t so keen. After all, a room full of beige furniture and white paneling isn’t everyone’s cup of tea!

But timeless doesn’t have to mean stuffy! You can mix timeless with more modern/contemporary features as well. This lets you create a room that is classic and doesn’t go out of style, but is still exciting and up to date.

Let’s go back to the example of white window frames we discussed earlier. Amber Lewis of Amber Interior Design renovated a house with black window frames on the outside – to provide a modern look and stunning focal effect. However, the same window frames were white on the interior to keep things timeless and bright!

Most manufacturers now offer windows with different interior and exterior color options, meaning you don’t have to choose between a modern twist and a classic touch.

Another example – let’s say you’ve bought a sofa in a neutral color like beige or white. You can easily liven up your seating area with trendy throw cushions or a cozy throw in an on-trend shade like green, cobalt blue or whatever shade happens to be of the moment. These add a modern pop of color and are affordable to replace, making it easy to stay on trend without blowing the budget.

How much should you spend on a timeless piece of home decor?

It’s worth spending money on high-quality, timeless pieces. Think of your piece as a return on investment. Yes, you might pay $1,000 for a dining room table, but if it lasts forever, it’s well worth the initial spend.

Of course we don’t always have extra cash on hand to buy expensive, quality furniture – but here’s the good news – it’s possible to find timeless decor if you’re on a tight budget. It just takes a bit more work. Here are my top tips.

• Look at marketplaces like Craigslist and Facebook – people are often willing to give quality furnishings away for free or at a low cost if you do them the favor of simply picking them up
• Check out local charity shops, estate sales, yard sales and thrift stores
• Don’t just think of the big things when it comes to timeless home decor. A vase, rug, or even a piece of cookware is a more cost-effective option and will look amazing in your home!
• Pieces might come at a reduced price if they aren’t in perfect condition. For example, a table might have a scratch you can easily buff out or stick a strategic runner over
• Look at things in detail before you part with your cash. That ‘solid wood’ dresser might be MDF in disguise! See the piece in person if you can so you can get a good look and ask any questions
• Keep an eye out for sales and discount vouchers to get timeless pieces at a lower cost

How to Know if A Piece Is *actually* timeless?

Picture the scene: you’re celebrating payday by browsing your fave online home decor store (hey Wayfair! 👋👋👋). And there you see it… a sofa, table, or chair that is perfect for your home! But hold your horses! Before you part with your money, you should have a checklist to see whether or not you’re about to buy a timeless piece or not!

Ask yourself the following questions before you pull out that credit card!

1. Can you use it with different color palettes? Timeless furniture should be able to go with pretty much every shade and tone, even ones you don’t necessarily like at the moment. Your tastes may change in the future after all!
2. Can you use it in multiple rooms in your home? Fancy a change? Your timeless furniture should look good in any part of your house, from the living room to the bedroom. Versatility is key when it comes to timeless decor!
3. Is it good quality? Timeless furniture may be a little more expensive, but this means it will (very likely) last you for decades
4. Is it made from natural materials? High-quality natural materials like wool, marble, and wood will stand the test of time and bring a touch of class to your home. Check the product description to see what your furniture is made of

If you can answer ‘yes’ to all four of these questions, then congratulations! Your item is officially timeless. Get it in your shopping cart before someone else does!

It’s not that you can’t buy trendy pieces, but you should at least know when you are!

Timeless interior design will take your home to the next level!

Investing in timeless design is a wise decision that will pay off in countless ways. Not only will it add value to your home and save you money in the long run, but it will also help you create a beautiful and functional space that you’ll love for years to come! And that’s what we’re all about here!

What’s your idea of a classic interior design element? Which timeless item in your home can’t you live without? Can’t wait to read your thoughts in the comments!