Together at last, although “new” and “traditional” seem like polar opposites that would never blend properly, when it comes to home design, “new traditional” has risen to become one of the hottest trends on the market. A mix of modern and traditional, new traditional furniture and home décor balances these opposites to create a classic and current look. With traditional design rooting itself in European influences like English country style and French classics, the trend features classic shapes and styling with a certain formal aesthetic using a heavy and dark appearance that works surprisingly well with the contemporary and casual stylings of modern design.

What is “new traditional” design?

Traditional furniture and home decor uses matching dark wood furniture sets, heavy use of patterns, and weighty window treatments, amongst other signature looks that will always have a place in home design. With this traditional style as a base, the new traditional design can flourish by delicately blending traditionally inspired furniture with contemporary styling, establishing a feeling that’s both formal yet comfortable, familiar yet fresh, and timeless yet timely. Defined by the softer appearance than is found in a pure traditional design, this updated take on traditional appearance creates a classic look that’s highly versatile, expertly working with a wide variety of home designs, including more casual homes and modern styles. More than just placing a few pieces of classically inspired furniture with modern styling, modern traditional design lets you mix and match traditional pieces with more modern furniture and home décor items, creating a fresh, personalized feel using all of your favorite pieces with no limits on your design desires.

How does the updated traditional design differ from the traditional design?

More formal, traditional design furniture may feature heavy craftsmanship, decorative elements, curvaceous forms, and time-honored lines that offer familiar silhouettes with intricate details and styling to enhance any living environment. Generally composed of dark woods, such as mahogany and cherry, these traditional pieces feature sumptuous choices like leather and velvet upholstery with gold and silver details to an air of sophistication and luxury that works in any room in your home.

New traditional design pairs some of these familiar silhouettes with sleeker lines and less formal looks. They make use of lighter, more modern materials and prints, as well as contemporary color palettes. In essence, while classic traditional design is more maximalist, new traditional leans more minimalist.

How can you incorporate an updated traditional design into your home?

For the bedroom, sleigh beds are an exceptional example of traditional design with a winsome appearance tending to feature a headboard and a low-profile footboard with wide side rails, often constructed from a beautiful blend of hardwood and veneer. For a modern take on this traditional bed, you can look for a sleigh bed with smooth lines and less intricate details. Additionally, pair neutral, modern bedding with the classic bed for a fresh twist.

Outside of the bedroom, wingback sofas and chairs are incredibly versatile with either wider-at-the-top flared scroll wings or narrower-at-the-top flat wings, and include roll arms that encapsulate that formal feeling of traditional design, flare arms that give off a casual sensation for a modern balance. Beyond these terrific options, modern traditional furniture has a gallery of options to craft your ideal living space with familiar designs like a Chesterfield sofa, with modern styling to capture both old and new charm.

Big on symmetry, the traditional furniture sets tend to include matching pieces, and are often found available in pairs, allowing you to bring the perfect options together effortlessly. For a modern twist, try mixing and matching a few pieces. For instance, you can purchase a matching sofa and loveseat, and pair it with a more contemporary accent chair.

In regards to area rugs, traditional style is synonymous with Oriental rugs, so pair more modern rugs with your traditional furniture to craft something that perfectly balances old and new; or try choosing a rug that features an Oriental motif, with a fresh twist such as a more contemporary color palette, or a faded design that suits today's rustic styles.

The new traditional design trend is a signifier that traditional design will never go out of style, letting you create a personalized, comfortable, and timeless space that you and your guests are sure to love for years.