Designing the Traditional Home

With everyone trying to perfect the sleek modern home, sometimes it\'s nice to take the easy route and go back to traditional design. After all, there\'s a good reason why they\'re classic-they have a timeless look that transcends generations. Even ten or twenty years from now, a traditional home will still retain its appeal, while today\'s contemporary homes may not.

So how do you go about traditional design? For one thing, you should stick to traditional colors-neutral shades that go with everything else but also stand well on their own. Instead of just black and white, go for something with a warmer or cooler tone. Brown, cream and peach offer a nice warm hue, while powder blue and pale green have a cooler, more energetic appeal. Save saturated shades for accents and accessories.

Your furniture should also be simple and practical. Comfort should be first on your list-don\'t go for that stylish reading chair if you\'re not sure you can sit in it for a long time. Padded and upholstered couches are usually best. Not only are they more comfortable, they\'re also better able to absorb the wear and tear of daily use. If you\'re not up for the maintenance, get slipcovers so you can just remove and wash them as necessary.

For your flooring, avoid carpets and just go for area rugs. Although many traditional homes were carpeted, homeowners soon shifted to area rugs or even bare floors because of the carpet\'s high maintenance. Look for area rugs that contrast with or match your room colors. When properly positioned, an area rug can tie your design theme together and create that professionally-designed look.

Accessories are also vital to traditional home design. Some experts say it should be all about practicality, but that doesn\'t mean you should forgo accessories altogether. In fact, it\'s the little add-ons that really set your home apart from the rest. Choose pieces that not only look good in your home, but also reflect your personal tastes. Place in on your wall, on the coffee table, or on the shelf, wherever it\'s most visible.

Traditional home design isn\'t necessarily boring or dull. Here are some quick and easy ways you can jazz up your traditional home.