HOW TO DECORATE YOUR HOME IN A TRADITIONAL STYLE

You may have grown up in a house that as decorated in traditional style, or you may just appreciate the subtle elegance and comfort that traditional decor creates. Many people mistakenly believe that a house can only be decorated in traditional style with costly antiques, hand-me-downs and a heritage-listed building, but this is not the case. Achieving any style–traditional included–is as simple as creating a continuity between the furniture, its layout and the other aspects of decor. Whether you’re considering new outdoor tiles, a lick of paint or changing up the window-dressings, keeping with the theme will make sure you achieve your design goals. Here are a few tips on getting that much-coveted traditional style home decor:

So, What IS Traditional Style?

If you’re a little hazy on the details, traditional-style decor is that elegant, intricately-made furniture and layout that makes you think of an old English manor. Think gold gilding, curly chair-back designs and plush velvet couches. Think dark mahogany, carved table-stands and four-poster beds. Colours are rich without being garish, and wood and brass play a big part. Here’s an example:

The Room Itself

Before you begin buying and collecting furniture, think of the room as a blank canvas ready for you to put the traditional touch on it with thinks like paint, carpets and curtains. If you’re considering wall colour, remember that mustards, deep reds and purples are all very traditional colours. Traditional rooms are usually slightly darker, so you can afford to go with bold colours, although try not to make the room look too small! Another way you could dress the walls is wallpaper. Wallpaper seems to have come in and out of vogue over the past century, but a feature wall in maroon and gold will really set the tone nicely! As for your floors, this will come down to weather you have pre-existing carpet or bare wooden floors. Bare floors are ideal as they enable you to choose opulent rugs and carpets to put down, but if you already have carpet don’t fret–you can either embellish the carpet with a rug on top, or think about working with the existing carpet theme–if it’s a rich colour it may just work as it is! Curtains should be thick and rich also, and instead of keeping these fully-drawn you should loop tassels at the wall and pull them back only at their mid-points, so as to retain the romantic, cosy feel of the room.

Furnish–Without Breaking the Bank

Make no mistake–traditional furniture can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. There are several ways you can get a hold of traditional furnishings at reasonable prices. One way is to look for replicas. Many furniture manufacturers make new furniture in an old-world style to meet demand for this kind of theme. There is also the option of heading to bric-a-brac stores where people may have donated unwanted furniture, or simply roaming the streets of opulent suburbs on council collection days–you’ll be amazed at the quality things rich people throw out!

Finishing Touches

Once you’ve furnished your house in a traditional style, you’ll notice you’re drawn to traditional items everywhere you go. Slowly but surely you can build up your collection of vintage crockery, paintings, prints and other collectibles! There’s also no reason why you can’t extend this type of decor to the outside of your home. Why not think about a wrought-iron railing on your balcony, or some elegant sandstone pavers and a statue out the back? Before you know it your house will be a traditional masterpiece, inside and out.