From farmhouse design to the “grandma” look, traditional decor has been everywhere for the past few years. For most, “traditional design” refers to looks and patterns from the 18th and 19th centuries, but even the early 2000s are now considered “traditional!”
But what can you do with the traditional look? For some, this is collecting all the family heirlooms. For others, traditional decor has a different meaning.
Here are vintage design ideas to include in your home and the fabrics we suggest.
Mix in Modern Elements
Today’s homes don’t look like the ones your grandma lived in. Thanks to technology and various other design trends, a blend of the old and new works for most homes. Plus, adding modern pieces will keep your home looking unique and memorable.
How do you know what to make modern and what to use as an antique? This will vary in all homes, but there are certain elements you’ll want to keep new.
Take your fabric as an example. Today, there are so many synthetic materials that are long-lasting and easier to clean than natural fabrics.
These fabrics are available in numerous colors and patterns, specifically, vintage prints. Reupholster an accent piece, like an ottoman, in a merlot orange paisley. The fabric is a rayon and polyester blend so that the ottoman will be soft and durable. Place that ottoman among an early 20th-century couch reupholstered in white pinstripe chenille fabric.
Balance Is Key
Previously, design enthusiasts had a “more is merrier” approach to traditional design. You could never buy enough antiques, right? Are all the pieces upholstered in various bright colors or prints? Even better!
Now, the goal is to balance the different design elements. This could be color; if you reupholstered your couch in dark gray, add some vintage floral throw pillows for a touch of romance. Complete your look with your grandparents’ living room set. This balances color and neutrals in your space and adds more visual interest.
Use Color Subtley
The neutral trend has extended to traditional design. While 2024’s traditional decor allows for color, only small splashes are more appropriate.
Which colors are trending? That’s the beauty of this year’s trend — it’s up to you to decide your color palette! You’ll be stylish if you’re smart about your color palette and mix it with chic neutrals. If you don’t know how to pick a color palette, choose one primary color and two or three accent shades.
Let’s say you prefer a blue color palette. You can use a massive vintage painting in blue shades as your centerpiece. Then, reupholster your armchair in teal denim and add throw pillows in aqua tweed. Display these colors alongside your newly reupholstered couch in porcelain tweed.
Natural Materials
As we said, synthetic fabrics are a modern staple. But what about the natural materials from the past? Fortunately, those are still a massive trend for traditional interiors. Since 2024’s traditional look is about balance, keeping the natural materials in neutral colors is best. Some of our favorites include slate leather and white canvas denim.
Traditional Kid’s Room
Should you only use traditional decor in the living and dining rooms? Now, more parents are using vintage elements to decorate their kids’ rooms.
That said, every child has a personality — and their interests may not align with traditional decor. Fortunately, you can find a middle ground with fabric.
For example, if your kids love cars, reupholster their beds or bunk beds in this retro Americana novelty fabric. If blue is their favorite color, buy them a vintage kid’s bedframe and reupholster the headboard in a blue geometric damask. Or maybe you can give them your grandpa’s old rocking chair, complete with new cushions in multi-colored paisley.
Traditional Patterns
Patterns are always fantastic if you don’t want to work with accent colors and neutrals. Many patterns are also historic; for example, the origins of damask print trace back to 300 BCE China!
Is damask your only option? Far from it! You can use many Victorian floral heirloom textiles for various purposes, even for wall art. Since we mentioned damask earlier, what would we do if we didn’t offer recommendations? This red damask would look exceptional as a chair accent.
Earthy Colors
Are neutrals too dull for you? You can convey the same balance in traditional decor with earthy colors. Earthy colors are what they sound like — shades you can find in nature. Examples include brown, olive green, cream, sage, and peach.
Start by reupholstering your sofa in classic brown leather. Use sheer cream-colored drapery and make new throw pillows in an earth-toned floral print. Add some plants and flowers to boost the biophilic feel of your traditional decor.
Maximalism
Just because we’re writing about traditional decor doesn’t mean it has to be minimalist. In reality, traditional decor can be as maximalist as you want it to be —and we encourage you to go all out.
How do you go full throttle with your traditional decor? First, start with patterns. Reupholster your couch and armchairs in this small-scale floral print. Add pillow and ottoman accents in a ruby-striped damask. Finish the look with minor details, such as a lampshade in red and burgundy stripes.
Are the patterns too much? You can maximize your space using color. You can use the same concept mentioned previously, but reupholster your sofa and chairs in a port red tweed/Crypton, throw pillows in blue velvet, and an ottoman in alpine green chenille.
Vintage by Country or Region
When we say “traditional,” we understand this term can mean many things, depending on where in the world you are. That’s why cultural vintage is also a massive trend now.
For example, let’s say you’re in Greece. You can apply a classic Greek Key pattern to your couch. Finish this look with classical art, sculptures, and a Klismos chair in the corner.
Retro Man Cave
A man cave is an essential place where any guy can go all out and be himself. How does this relate to traditional decor? Two words: novelty fabric.
There are retro fabrics for all passions and interests. Does he like wine? There are fabrics for wine enthusiasts. Is traveling his favorite hobby? He would love this retro passport textile. Does he like outdoorsy stuff? There are vintage fabrics conveying animals and nature. What if he’s the opposite and loves the beach? There’s a fabric for that, too.
He can reupholster the couch or his favorite armchair in these novelty retro fabrics.
Nautical Vintage
Traditional decor isn’t all Victorian-era paisley and heirlooms. For those who grew up near the beach, there’s a difference between retro nautical and modern tropical. If you would rather approach the beachy style in your home, you can dress up your home in retro nautical designs.
Start by upholstering an accent armchair in a fun foliage print. Add a unique pineapple damask throw pillow to your sofa. Reupholster your dining room chairs in this vintage small-scale palm tree fabric. Finish your retro nautical look with this tropical floral print as drapery.
Traditional Kitchen
When most people redecorate in the vintage style, they mainly focus on the family room. But where did we create all those fond memories at Grandma’s house? That’s right, the kitchen!
But should you deck your kitchen out in farmhouse style? While we’re not saying no, you can be sleeker about your kitchen decor. How about reupholstering your dining room chairs in an oyster-white floral damask? And adding a DIY small-scale country cabin tablecloth to the dining table? Finish the look with subtle white striped sheer curtains.
Vintage Entryway
Finally, you want to convey your love of traditional decor the second guests walk in. Why not doll up your home’s entryway? Display vintage furniture and classic wall decor with some reupholstered ottomans in a chic diamond lattice print.
Explore Traditional Fabric
Traditional decor is everywhere, but the vintage look is more versatile than you think. Whether you want to recreate grandma’s house or throw traditional decor into a modern home, you can apply countless vintage design ideas to your home.
All these homes have one quality in common: you’ll need a lot of fabric. Are you ready to explore chic traditional fabric designs? Explore our collection.