This Is Why Everyone’s Obsessed with Traditional Decor Right Now

Design trends come and go fast, but what was once deemed “old” or “outdated” always manages to find its way back into fashion. After years of favoring all things contemporary and major minimalist moments, the pendulum is swinging back to an old-school mentality. Call it cottagecore or coastal grandmother; it’s safe to say that the design scene currently has a penchant for traditional style.  

Sure, carved wooden furniture, wallpaper, and sweet embellishments are having a moment… but why?

Design and Photo by Lauren L. Caron

For some, the rise of traditional spaces is intrinsically linked to the Covid-19 pandemic. “When people were spending so much of their time indoors, it created a need to feel grounded in the home,” explains Lauren Lothrop Caron of Studio Laloc in Seattle. “Comfort, deeply personal and nostalgic spaces became even more desired.” 

She has a point: After spending well over a year disinfecting groceries or video chatting our dearest and not-so-nearest, we all wanted to feel cozy and content. And, unlike those mid-century couches and sterile color palettes felt like the design-equivalent of a hug.

Design by Amy Sklar; Photo by Amy Bartlam

But while classic decor has offered the familiarity of yesteryear, Los Angeles designer Amy Sklar argues traditional decor is a subtle rebellion against the idea of what’s to come. “[They] harken back to the past, and in times of tumult or radical technological changes, people are drawn to interiors that bring comfort,” she says. “Many of us are looking for nostalgia right now, and we are seeing that reflected in broader trends in fashion and home decor.”

In a time when everything is a tap, a swipe, or an AI prompt away, a more timeless style encourages us to appreciate the beauty of time-honored craftsmanship. Traditional design may fall in and out of trend, but it’ll never be passé. After all, it’s deemed classic for a reason. However, we can’t help but wonder if this look has much staying power in the West Coast, which is typically known for being easier, breezier, and more contemporary.

Even if you do live somewhere that leans modern, designers say it’s possible to bridge the gap between old and new. In fact, a quick trip to your local vintage store can be packed with historic gems that will bring that layered, lived-in edge. 

Design and Photo by Lauren L. Caron

The key, Caron says, is to start out small. “The easiest way to do this is by layering in antiques and classic textiles like pillows and drapery to what you already love,” she explains. “From there, you can extend to architectural details like crown molding and swapping out builder-grade lighting for traditional styles.” For something larger than a throw pillow, but smaller than crown molding, try to strike a balance by pairing silhouettes like a roll-arm sofa with natural textures and historically-inspired colors. 

Speaking of textures, a mix of materials is also another way to connect two different design styles. According to Sklar, look for surfaces that “are meant to age and develop signs of being lovingly used.” Unlacquered brass, soapstone, butcher block, and even marble are all fair play here.

Design by Amy Sklar; Photo by Amy Bartlam

However, the biggest tip for sprinkling a little bit of traditional decor into your West Coast pad is to think about your home holistically. You might find a 19th-century console or toile wallcovering that you absolutely love, but it has to look good in your space.

“You want your home to look curated and collected, rather than hodgepodge,” Sklar says. “Consider consistent wood tones, color, texture,  and materiality to make sure it ties into your interior, rather than looking like an afterthought.”

Furniture and accessories that work together to create a cohesive, impossibly chic space? Now that’s a home that will be able to transcend both time and trend.