10 Traditional Living Room Ideas That Are Anything but Stuffy

Hoping to craft a living room you’ll love now, years from now, and maybe even decades from now? Take a few cues from traditional design. The classic design style is defined by its restrained palette, love of antiques, and commitment to symmetry. And since those elements work in just about any interior, it’s little wonder traditional design has stood the test of time. 

“Traditional design should incorporate elements that you’ve seen for generations in home design,” Alessandra Wood, design historian and Vice President of Style at Modsy, says. Think: classic furniture silhouettes, simple patterns, balanced layouts, and museum-worthy art.

“A traditional interior looks like it could’ve been designed 50 years ago or 10 years ago,” Wood adds. “It’s timeless in one sense, but also rooted in traditional forms.”

Since traditional design is so classic and enduring, it’s a style worth getting acquainted with, and once you’ve mastered it, you’ll be crafting spaces that almost never need redecorating. To help you score some classic style in your living room, we’ve rounded up 30 living rooms that have made the most of traditional style—and we’ve cited a traditional living room design idea worth stealing from each of them.

01 Ground Your Space With an Area Rug

Rugs make a classic addition to any space, so it should come as no surprise that they look great in traditional living rooms. “Rugs are an important element of traditional design,” Silver Verga says.

And don’t pick a rug that’s too small, either. “Go big,” Silver Verga adds. “Rugs should be large and even layered.”

02 Keep Your Patterns Tight and Simple

Classic patterns—like stripes and florals—abound in traditional design, and they can be a fun way to add interest to your living room.

“I’d incorporate a few traditional patterns in accents, such as a flame stitch pillow,” Wood says.

Just be sure to keep your patterned pieces simple, neat, and time-honored. “The patterns should be tighter and not painterly,” Silver Verga says. Trade abstract florals for realistic ones, and favor simple prints wherever you can.

03 Stock Up on Antique Furniture

One easy way to keep your furniture traditional? Stock up on genuine antiques.

“I love incorporating antiques—especially tables, desks, or storage pieces,” Wood says. “It’s nearly impossible to find wood with the same patina and quality in new furniture today, so these pieces are really special in any space.”

04 Set the Mood With Layered Lighting

Mid-Century Modern Wall Sconce with Vintage Brass Finish and Ribbed Glass Shades - Ideal for Bathroom and Modern Living Room Fixtures

No space is complete without thoughtful lighting, and if you layer different fixtures, you can flexibly adjust your living room’s lighting set-up throughout the day.

“Levels of lighting are important for creating ambiance, with sconces and lamps being important elements,” Silver Verga says. Pair a bold chandelier with a few striking table lamps. And layer in other forms of lighting, like wall sconces and art-mounted picture lights.

05 Soften Your Space With Cozy Seating

Living rooms are meant to be lived in, so look for ways to soften up your space. “You can allow the space to feel inviting with ottomans, pillows galore, and plush seating,” Wood says.

By choosing these pieces thoughtfully—and sticking to traditional silhouettes—you can make your space feel welcoming while maintaining its classic appeal.

06 Learn to Love Classic Furniture Details

Traditional furniture is simple in form. But since it’s crafted using classic furniture-making techniques, it’s often loaded with handicraft details. “The furniture will be detailed with nailheads and welting,” Silver Verga says.

07 Invest in a Few Old Portraits

Nothing says traditional like a classic painted portrait. “I’d introduce traditional art, such as old portraits or landscape paintings in gold frames,” Wood says.

And if you don’t currently own any portraits—few of us do—you’re bound to stumble upon some when shopping for antique furniture. Sure, they’ll likely be portraits of strangers. But there’s some fun in imagining the lives that the characters in the portraits once lived.

08 Splurge on a Striking Chandelier

Vintage-Inspired Textured Glass Chandelier - Living Room Chandelier with Hand-Pressed Pattern and Rustic Design - Ideal Hanging Light Fixtures for Living Room and Modern Chandelier Options

If you’ve ever dreamt of dressing up your space with a dramatic chandelier, now is your moment. Chandeliers are a classic lighting option, so they’re sure to (appropriately) transform any traditional interior.

09 Hang a Set of Pretty Drapes

Window treatments bring any space together. So be sure to build them into your traditional decor scheme. “Don’t forget window treatments,” Silver Verga says. “No traditional room is finished without a beautiful set of window treatments.”

10 Add Pops of Texture

When your palette is restrained and your print options are limited, there’s one place to play: texture. Wood recommends layering in “textural elements, such as baskets and nailheads” to make your traditional space more dynamic.