Timeless Interior Design: What to Know So Your Home Never Goes Out of Style

If you’re someone who doesn’t want to worry about what design elements will be trending in 2024 but still want to leave a lasting impression year after year, this Redfin article will unveil four helpful tips to create a design that will stand the test of time. 

We will explore how to select colors, furniture, and accessories that not only reflect your personal style but also ensure longevity and adaptability in your home’s décor.  So whether you’re a new homeowner in Portland, Oregon, or in Chicago, Illinois, you can confidently create a living space that remains stylish and relevant through the years.

1. Utilize natural elements

From the sun’s light to the trees’ warmth, natural elements are here to stay. Introducing the earth’s ingredients within the confines of your home exhibits lasting eloquence.

Benjamin VerGiesen, co-founder and designer with Lewis Rose Design, shares to “keep it organic by opting for wood cabinetry or wood case goods in your space.” He adds that personality can be layered with “responsibly sourced down designer pillows with colors and intrigue.” Additionally, Sarah Jacobson, principal designer for Ventura-based boutique interior design firm, DS2 Studios, shares how you can integrate natural elements within furniture pieces such as “wood tables, bookshelves, and casegoods.”

Other forms of nature include using stones, as suggested by Amy Wellnitz, owner of Amy Wellnitz Design. Think Austin, Texas, ranch homes with stone flooring in a walk-in shower or beautifully designed concrete countertops.

Additionally, Mary Best, Owner of Mary Best Designs, recommends “designing your home with mohair,” such as with more decorative objectives like throw blankets to achieve a “classic look.”   

The simplicity and neutrality of natural tones can be showcased in different aspects of your home’s design. Mandy Hodges, lead designer for Meg & Co. Designer Homes, shares how neutral tones can be used for permanent fixtures such as “flooring, cabinets, tile, and countertops.” She states that from there, you can integrate other decorative elements to “let your personality and style come through.”

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2. Integrate neutral and simple colors

A timeless look doesn’t follow the pace of each year-to-year trend; therefore, you may want to avoid painting your walls in accordance with the proclaimed “color of the year.”

Instead, Ethan Greenfield of Ethan Charles Design recommends sticking to “simple, classic colors like whites, beiges, and greens for a lasting color scheme.” He shares how “this blend of organic elements and understated hues ensures a stunning design that stands the test of time.”

3. Simplicity in the kitchen

Designing a kitchen that sparks conversation and entertainment while prompting a timeless look comes with the simplicity of elements. Whether you’re creating an open-concept kitchen or one that embodies a galley layout, integrate timeless paint colors such as warm white or sage green among existing natural elements. 

Beyond the warmth of the flooring and contrasting wall colors, Cachet Adams, owner and lead designer with Cachet Demaine Interiors, recommends installing a white subway tile backsplash that reflects light. She adds how “opting for a brick or chevron lay can add a patterned interest.”

4. Introduce a selection of metals

While metals are natural resources, leveraging and styling varying metallic finishes among each other is a practice that can create a timeless appeal. 

Hillaree Howard, owner of Hillaree Howard Design, suggests “mixing 2-3 metal finishes so that if one goes “out of style” the others keep things looking fresh and current.” Howard shares that when crafting the interior design of a kitchen, she utilizes one finish for plumbing fixtures and another for hardware and lighting.

Amy Wellnitz adds that metals such as “polished nickel, unlacquered brass, and marble aren’t just beautiful high-quality finishes, but also tell the story of the home as they gently patina over time.”

5. Preserve the history

Timeless interior design culminates the past, present, and future. On the journey of styling your home for years to come, it’s important to commemorate where it started and the architecture surrounding it.

Melanie Lybrand with Happy House Interiors shares how she’s “been intrigued by 80’s modern exterior” but has been disappointed to find interior photos with “white shaker cabinets and gray walls.” Melanie adds that while you don’t have to design your home exactly as it was in a certain era, “don’t shoot off into a completely different style and era either.”

Lane Reusch, client coordinator with Reusch Interior Design Team, shares how you can preserve historical aspects by “playing off of elements such as original moldings and other unique features.” Rather than forcing an unnatural style or trend, Yumi Kagamihara with Hatano Studio recommends “creating a cohesive design throughout the entire house.” By weaving the existing structure with new elements that fit together, you’ll achieve a timeless result.

Final thoughts on creating a timeless design:

Timeless interior designs are meant to stand the test of time. Cira James, owner of Cira James Design, states, “No matter the style, the best designs are a reflection of who lives in the home while giving a note to where it sits on the map.” Whether you’re looking to simplify the need to redesign every so often or are seeking an endless aura of sophistication, allow these tips to flow throughout your creative process in building a space of your desire.