Traditional Living Rooms Are In Right Now—34 Ideas to Inspire Your Next Update

Lean into Symmetry

One of the hallmarks of traditional style is symmetry. While rooms aren't always made up of perfect mirror images, they are 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.

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 furniture to create a feeling of relaxed elegance.

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 Thomas Guy Interiors is a hallmark of the traditional style.

Use Traditional Details

One of the trademarks of traditional design is fussy details like the ruffled decoration at 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, a little fuss is something to celebrate.

Highlight Exposed Beams

While it's normal to 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.

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, used large-scale art to balance out the window, and incorporated tall millwork over the mantel to draw the eye upwards.

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.

Mix Elegance with Comfort

Although you occasionally see delicate armchairs 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 Skovly are loaded with throw pillows to up the comfort level.

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. 

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, iron lantern, and architectural details that make it look current.

Add Built-In Bookcases

Built-in bookcases are an ideal storage solution for traditional living rooms like this one from Interior Impressions.

To make sure the look doesn't veer into a contemporary territory, consider adding some decorative ​molding around the perimeter, opt for warm wooden tones, and be sure to use classic hardware on cabinet doors.

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.

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 LeeAnn Baker Interiors.

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.

Add Refinement

There's no style that lends itself to elegance and sophistication better than traditional style.

Balance and symmetry are subconsciously pleasing to the eye, and when combined with luxurious fabrics, refined colors, and delicate architectural detailing 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.

Highlight Architectural Features

Many traditional living rooms feature beautiful architectural details like tall ceilings, intricate crown molding, and statement windows. Though the decor in these rooms can be plentiful, architectural features are always highlighted like in this living room by Kate Marker Interiors.

Here, the curtains not only allow the large bay windows to stand out but also accentuate the ceiling height.

Hang Some Historical Art

Historic art, whether landscapes, portraits, or still life, are very much at home in classic living spaces like in this living room by LeeAnn Baker Interiors.

If you want to amplify the look even further, place the art in ornate frames with rich finishes and intricate carvings.

Add a Pair of Accent Chairs

As traditional living rooms embrace symmetry in their layouts, a matching pair of armchairs adds balance and flexibility to the space.

They don’t always have to be identical, but should be similar in size, shape and color. If space allows, you can even have two pairs of chairs like in this living room by Becca Interiors.

Consider a Statement Light

Lighting can transform a classic living room by giving it a more luxurious look and feel like in this room by Thomas Guy Interiors. Cascading crystal chandeliers, candle style chandeliers and forged wrought iron lights can all create a tasteful impact.

Choose Rich Wooden Tones

Natural wood is a material that frequently features in the decor of traditional living rooms, but you rarely see pale or blond woods. Instead, like in this living room by Charbonneau Interiors, wooden furniture and decor tend to be in dark and rich tones. Highly glossed dark wooden pieces are also a common feature.

Lay Down a Patterned Rug

If there’s one thing you almost always see in traditional living rooms, it’s a patterned rug like in this room by Interior Impressions. A rug adds warmth and helps pull a space together. Antique style rugs are a popular choice but simple geometric patterns work well too.

Opt for Wooden Window Casings

While wooden windows are now becoming popular in modern interiors, they have a timeless feel that fits well in a more traditional living room.

In this room by Charlie Coull Design, in addition to the wooden window trims, you have lots of wooden details like the chunky mantle and exposed beams that add warmth and comfort to this space.

Decorate with Rich Tones

Opting for deep colors in shades like reds, greens, mustards, and blues gives a traditional living room a richness that is apt for this style of decor.

This room, by Ashley Montgomery Design, features lots of these shades and the contrast against the pale walls also helps to highlight the architectural features, especially the intricate ceiling molding.

Add a Classic Piece

There are certain iconic pieces of furniture that never go out of style even though they were created hundreds of years ago.

These kinds of pieces work beautifully in timeless living spaces like the Chesterfield style sofa in this living room by Erin Williamson Design.

Display Old Books

If your style leans traditional, you may own some aged leather-bound books that are reminiscent of the past.

If not leather, most old books make great decor pieces whether in bookshelves or as coffee table books like in this living room by Thomas Guy Interiors.

Show Off Old Photos

A gallery wall of old photos in black and white or sepia tones are a great alternative to historic art. Placed in wooden or brass frames, they look great and add a nostalgic touch to a classic living room like in this room by Becca Interiors.

Choose Weathered Furniture

Distressed leather pieces, worn wooden furniture, and tarnished metal decorations all add character and charm to a traditional living space.

Here, Ashley Montogomery Design has decorated with an aged leather chair that’s perfectly at home in this space.

Make a Feature of the Fireplace

Traditional living rooms are often decorated around a fireplace, so it makes sense to make a feature of this focal point.

Go big with stacked stones or opt for a grand smooth-stoned surround, inspired by silhouettes of the past. This traditional stone surround from Morse design makes a bold statement in this room.

Display an Antique Mirror

Gold and brass mirrors with intricate detailing add a sense of grandeur which works so well within traditional spaces. They make a style statement whether floor standing, wall mounted or perched on top of a mantle like in this living room by Thomas Guy Interiors.

Choose Rounded Furniture

Traditional living rooms are all about comfort, warmth and a sense of familiarity. So, it’s no coincidence that many rooms have furniture with soft edges like in this living room by Becca Interiors.

While angular shapes aren’t off limits, seating is typically softer, plusher and curvier in style.

Don't Shy Away from Color

If you love color, there's no reason why you can't combine a classic look with lots of color like in this room by Studio Peake.

While colors can be bold in a traditional room, they tend to lean towards warmer tones like the blues, greens, and terracotta shades chosen for this room.

Add Antique Finds

Mixing in old, vintage pieces with new is one of the many ways to give your traditional room lots of character.

Here, Ashley Montgomery Design has sprinkled in several antique tables as well as some vintage accessories and artworks to enhance the otherwise simple decor.

Mix and Match Patterns

Patterns are often seen in traditional rooms, but you don’t have to stop at one. Timeless patterns like stripes and checks can be mixed with bolder prints like in this living room from Studio Peake.

Though it’s worth noting that there should be a design element tying the patterns together – in this room it’s the red color that makes it work cohesively.

Add Spindle Details

Spindle furniture has a long history going as far back as the 17^th century, yet the design is ageless and fits in well with the traditional aesthetic.

The fluted and curved design can be found on so many pieces of furniture including lamps like in this room by Ashley Montgomery Design.

Accessorize with Aged Finishes

Whether your living room is in a centuries-old home or in a new build, decorating with accessories in aged finishes will add a traditional touch.

This could be aged pottery, tarnished metal pieces, old planters and accessories made from vintage wood. Here, Ashley Montgomery Design has used a mix of aged finishes to add texture and interest to this space.