A timeless interior exudes a sense of quiet confidence. It’s sophisticated yet feels inviting. A timeless home is neither over the top or boring. Combining a multi-layered approach, the style balances the feeling of being lived-in and curated.
In this guide, we look at what makes a home appear timeless. We share with you some of the key things to consider if you’re wanting to achieve a timeless look in your home from colour palettes and furnishings to great reads for inspiration.
Consider your floor plan
If you are renovating or building a new home, before you settle on your layout, consider an open-plan design. An open-plan living area offers greater flexibility and allows for a seamless transition from one space to the next. It also allows you to decorate in a unified aesthetic across the living, dining and kitchen areas.
Open-plan interiors work best when you are carrying the flooring, lighting or colour palette throughout all adjoining spaces. You can use materials, colour or furnishings to define a space if you do require visual separation.
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Focus on functionality
The most successful interiors that withstand the test of time are those that consider the functionality of the home. It may not be glamorous to think about energy efficiency, storage and durable finishes but it will pay dividends to consider these more functional elements as well as those shiny and more beautiful things.
Timeless interiors are also ones that are scaled perfectly and in proportion. Think about how large or small our rooms are. Consider how well your furniture fits without the space. A well-proportioned interior will have furniture that is neither too large that it crams the room or too small that it seems to get lost.
Be inspired but not bound to interior trends
Just like fashion, interior trends come and go. If you’re committed to achieving a timeless look in your home, you’ll want to look beyond these trends and focus on styles that last and that you love. Timeless interiors tend to resist the trends and focus on an understated, yet sophisticated, style.
Don’t rush to purchase furniture, especially big-ticket items, or cover walls in the ‘colour of the year’. Instead, add these trendy colours and materials in accent pieces like tableware, lamps, cushions and bedding. These can be changed more easily when you get tired of the style.
Sophistication is our speciality at Urban Rhythm. Our Lennox chair is a perfect small addition to a room.
Decorate in a classic style
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Timeless interiors decorated in a classic style are both enduring and unpretentious. There’s an order, yet comfort and functionality are at the forefront.
When creating a timeless feel in your home, consider how your aesthetic works with the architecture of your home. In a classically styled home, you’ll notice mouldings, discreet cornices and window outlines. Materials and furnishing will be of quality and the colour scheme mainly neutrals and light pastels. Velvets, cottons and canvas are some of the most popular fabrics to style within a classic, timeless interior for they are elegant without being too ornate.
A timeless, classic interior is also well balanced and you’ll find there is a play of symmetry. Rooms will be centered around a focal point such as a fireplace. For example, matching occasional chairs will flank the feature element with a mirror or large artwork above.
Avoid overly ornate furniture and architectural details and stick with clean, classic lines that won’t date.
At Urban Rhythm, you can find the classic Kent Sofa and Kent Armchair. The Kent sofa balances luxury with an everyday classic design. Its graceful waterfall arms are of a traditional style, yet its clean lines and simplicity provide a modern aesthetic.
Stick to a neutral colour palette
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In timeless interiors, neutrals have a strong presence. Opt for a neutral colour palette with splashes of colour and texture to layer in interest.
Beiges, greys and whites, in particular, have a way of accentuating an interior and creating continuity in an open-plan space. Unlike the 60’s where oranges and browns were on trend and where pastels came into their own in the 80’s, a neutral palette never dates.
Opting for a neutral palette doesn’t mean you can’t add personality and feeling to a home. Warm whites, for example, create an inviting space and complement an interior that has a lot of texture and natural materials. Cool whites, on the other hand, are great for neutralising spaces that flooded with natural light and work well with those decorating in a minimalist style.
Timeless interiors aren’t all painted in white though. Cool greys add a sense of glamour and warm greys create a more relaxed feeling. Then there are the navy blues, dark greens and blacks that are often used to complement a neutral palette.
If you’re keen to add a splash of colour to your timeless home, do so through your decorative elements such as one large item like a buffet. Also rugs, artwork, throws or cushions. Layering colour in small doses will not be too overpowering.
Try the Alma Buffet from Urban Rhythm for that WOW factor.
Modernise with art and decorative elements
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When achieving a timeless look in your home, consider modernising the space with art and other decorative elements. This way, regardless of the period of your architecture or furnishings, your interior will feel classic and current.
To help connect the artwork with the interior, use complementary colours. Even consider how the medium of the artwork impacts your space. For example, a glossy photograph of a landscape will create a fresh and modern feeling that a traditional oil painting of a landscape wouldn’t. Abstract art is always a good choice to add a modern touch. Try an artwork like Primary to add a modern pop of colour.
Layering your interior with some worldly decorative elements can also enrich your interior and reinforce the timeless style. These items can be as small as a bowl on a coffee table or a link sculpture, like the Rufus Marble Sculpture on top of books or a pillow.
Don’t underestimate a beautiful Australian-Made timber table as a perfect piece of art. Urban Rhythm’s Alpine dining table crafted from Australian Messmate has a natural, country aesthetic combined with a timeless design. It has a beautiful presence and adds to a space with its natural timber features. Paired with sophisticated dining chairs, this table will make a statement without being too ornate.
Avoid overcrowding
Editing becomes key when you’re aiming for a timeless interior. Homes of this décor style tend to respect space. There’s room to move and breathe. Furniture isn’t crowded together, and surfaces aren’t cluttered. Fixtures and fittings tend to be streamlined to allow for soft furnishings to take centre stage. Stick with quality over quantity. A well-balanced, yet sparse, room with quality furnishings and materials will present better than an overcrowded interior with poorer quality décor.
Creating a timeless home comes down to the balance between filling the space and leaving areas open. It’s also a balance between the statement pieces and the clean simple design.
A few simple, quality pieces can define the room with sophistication and simplicity. Urban Rhythm’s Elle Round Marble Nested Coffee Tables paired with the Nellie Sofa Range and Jervis Buffet are for those who are seeking a timeless look yet enjoy a sense of luxury. The matt white marble top on the Elle offers a classic look, while the brushed gold (also available in black) frame adds visual interest. Check out our entire range of coffee tables at Urban Rhythm.
Mix old and new
Combining finishes, furniture, and features of different eras and styles can help to create a timeless space. That’s because your interior will not dominate a particular period or a design style that may be reminiscent of an old trend.
Don’t be afraid to mix the old with the new. An antique furniture piece under a modern art piece on a crisp white wall can look incredible and very current. A beautiful old rug under a contemporary sofa of clean lines will create a timeless feel.
Find the Maison dining chairs at Urban Rhythm. Maison Dining Chairs, Maison Carver Chair, and an Urban Rhythm Australian-made timber table are a great pairing. Upholstered dining chairs in quality, performance fabrics offer a classic and sophisticated look. They’re also very comfortable. The Maison is an ideal chair for timeless interior mixing clean, classic lines with modern piping detail. Embrace natural materials in your finishes, fixtures and furniture such as timbers, stone, marble, cottons, linens and wool.
It is balance that is the essence of timeless interior design. By embracing timeless designs in your home, you are transcending trends and fads that will become old very quickly. Creating a space that resonates with enduring elegance, classic elements, thoughtful aesthetics, and a touch of personal style, you can curate a space that stands the test of time. Let your home reflect your timeless sophistication, where every detail tells a story, and the ambiance is pure comfort and beauty.
Sourced from Urban Rhythm
