14 Elegant and Timeless Traditional Living Rooms (2024)

Room Design

Living Rooms

• 01 of 14

  Use Warm Colors

  

  One of the hallmarks of traditional style is symmetry. While rooms aren't always made up of perfect mirror images, theyare usually well balanced, both in terms of furniture and architecture. In this traditional living room by Cameron Mobley Interior Design, the armchairs are completely different from one another, but they are similarly sized,balancing each other out and maintaining the symmetry of the space.

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• 02 of 14

  Focus on the Fireplace

  

  Since traditional rooms rely on balance and symmetry, having such a distinct focal point to arrange furniture around is ideal. A giant stone fireplace is the perfect starting point for a comfortable,traditionally decorated living room from Regas Interiors. Muted neutrals, soft textiles, and inviting furnitureto create a feeling of relaxed elegance.

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  See Also

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• 03 of 14

  Add Wood Panelling

  

  Nothing says traditional like a room with mahogany or cherry wood paneled walls. Different from the cheap veneer paneling popular in the 1970s, the solid wood,rich color, and detailed millwork in this living room from PFA Design Group is a hallmark of the traditional style.

  Wood Paneling Revival: An Alternative to Drywall and Paint

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• 04 of 14

  Use Traditional Details

  

  One of the trademarks of traditional design is fussy details like the ruffled decorationat the top of the window treatments and the fringe at the bottom of the armchairs in this living room from Gray Walker Interiors. When used in moderation, these types of embellishments add just the right amount of ornamentation. When it comes to traditional rooms, alittle fuss is something to celebrate.

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• 05 of 14

  Highlight Exposed Beams

  

  While it's normalto see a fair bit of color in traditional living rooms, an all-neutral space like this one is more than acceptable. And while a lot of frills and details are also often found in traditional rooms, they're not mandatory. This living room designed by Markalunas Architecture Group is more demure than most traditional spaces, but it still fits in thanks to the architecture, materials,and symmetrical furniture arrangements.

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• 06 of 14

  Use Soft Colors

  

  Traditional style is often associated with grand spaces, but there's no reason why a smaller space can't be decorated in an elegant, traditional way. This elegant room has high ceilings but not a lot of floor space, so Amanda Carol Interiors substituted a coffee table for two ottomans, usedlarge-scale art to balance out the window, and incorporatedtall millwork over the mantel to draw the eye upwards.

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• 07 of 14

  Add Pattern

  

  In traditional living rooms, the pieces don't all need to match, but they should definitely relate to each other in terms of style, shape, and overall weight like they do in this room designed by McGrath II. While an offbeat piece can certainly be incorporated as contrast or a statement piece, don't stray too far from the traditional baseline. While it's fun to experiment, if you're into really unexpected combinations, this probably isn't the style for you.

  See Also

  What Makes a Modern Living Room?

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• 08 of 14

  Mix Elegance with Comfort

  

  Although you occasionally see delicatearmchairs in traditional living rooms, the emphasis when it comes to seating is really on comfortable, sit-back-and-relax pieces. Traditional roll arm or William Birch sofas like the ones in this room from ACR Villa Skovlyare loaded with throw pillows to up the comfort level.

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• 09 of 14

  Use Bold Pattern

  

  While traditional rooms have a reputation for being calm and relaxing, they do like to have a little fun by way of patterns. Plaids, toiles, stripes, and florals are all perfectly at home—especially large-scale versions of these patterns, as featured in this blue living room from So Cal Contractor. Geometrics and animal prints can also be incorporated, but use them sparingly as they can throw off the vibe and take the style in a different direction.

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• 10 of 14

  Keep It Fresh

  

  Traditional rooms like this one from Mosaic Architects don't speak to any specific age group and could belong to a family or couple, young or old. There's a familiarity to it which is inherently comfortable, but it's definitely not old or dated. In fact, there's a freshness to this space thanks to the tightly upholstered furniture, ironlantern, and architectural detailsthat makeit look current.

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• 11 of 14

  Add Built-In Bookcases

  

  Built-in bookcases arean ideal storage solution for traditional living rooms like this one from NV Design. To make sure the look doesn't veer into a contemporary territory, consider adding some decorative ​molding around the perimeter, picture lights at the top, and be sure to use traditional hardware on cabinet doors.

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• 12 of 14

  Mix in Modern Pieces

  

  Just because a room is traditional, it doesn't mean it can't still have one or two modern pieces. A midcentury modern sputnik chandelier creates contrast and adds an element of urban cool to this elegant traditional living room from VV Design.

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• 13 of 14

  Add Floor-to-Ceiling Drapes

  

  To really bring home the traditional style, include dramatic floor-to-ceiling window treatments like the drapes in this room from London-based Salvesen Graham. They can be pleated or not, have valances or not, and use tiebacks or not. However, make sure that they go all the way from the floor to the ceiling in order to get the full effect.

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• 14 of 14

  Add Refinement

  

  There's no style that lends itself to elegance and sophistication betterthan traditional style. Balance and symmetry are subconsciously pleasing to the eye, and when combined with luxurious fabrics, refinedcolors, and delicate architecturaldetailing it creates an elegant style that will stand the test of time, like this sky blue room by Rinfret, Ltd. Interior Design as an example.