We all have that moment when we enter a bedroom thinking, wow, this is where I will be able to get some old fashioned sleep. Then that is the magic of traditional decorative bedroom. I have always been a fan of traditional design details and to be quite frank there is just something so comfortable about flawless timeless beauty that will never go out of style.
The classic style of decoration of the bedroom is not all the stuffing and outdatedness of the room, but a feeling of the room where it is made to feel classy and homely. Imagine expensive materials, a descent brown color and that impeccable harmony between comfort and opulent. Do you want to make your bedroom a classical retreat? So what are these 13 old-old traditional bedroom decor trends that will get you in love with your room once more?
Rich Wooden Furniture Sets
There is nothing that symbolizes more of a traditional bedroom than the wooden one with a matching furniture set. I mean the beautiful, fuckin cherry, mahogany, or walnut thing that grandparent would definitely acknowledge.
A classic bedroom suite typically includes:
- Four-poster or sleigh bed frame
- Matching nightstands
- Dresser with mirror
- Optional armoire or chest of drawers
What is so beautiful about investment in solid wood furniture? This literally becomes better with age. I have even witnessed cherry wood sets made 30 years ago and presently they look better than before they were bought. Moreover, you may re-finished them to change their look whenever you wish – with particle board furniture that is an impossibility.
Luxurious Fabric Headboards
How can you provide an instant glamour to your bedroom? The best friend you have got is a fabric headboard. More traditional styles usually have button-tufted upholstery with deep velvets, damasks or linen.
Popular traditional headboard styles:
- Wingback designs
- Camelback curves
- Deep button tufting
- Nailhead trim details
My personal favorite is a deep burgundy velvet headboard; it has a dramatic impact without being over powering and it really makes even the most basic white bed linens look amazingly chic. FYI, in case you worry about maintenance most upholstered headboards are easier to clean than one would think 🙂
Classic Color Palettes
Traditional bedrooms entertain warm, smart palettes that give off a cozy look. No way to the concrete minimalist white canvas – we are now going for something warmer and deeper.
| Color Family | Popular Combinations |
|---|---|
| Warm Neutrals | Cream, beige, soft gold, warm gray |
| Rich Jewel Tones | Deep burgundy, forest green, navy blue |
The trick is to apply these colors subsequently. Begin with blank walls, add personality with bedding, curtains and little add-ons. Deep forest green walls accented with cream trim I have discovered makes for a very sophisticated backdrop that is mseimantrzy year round.
Ornate Window Treatments
You ever see how the classic bedrooms will always have the most beautiful window dressings? This is because they live under the influence of the fact that dramatic drapery is dramatic in its ability to change a space.
Traditional window treatment elements include:
- Floor-to-ceiling curtains
- Rich fabrics like silk, velvet, or heavy cotton
- Decorative curtain rods with finials
- Layered treatments (sheers plus heavier drapes)
My tip was given to me by a friend, and interior designer: to hang your curtains as near the ceiling as you can and leave them pooling slightly at the walls. It makes your windows appear massive and gives that elegance that the traditional bedrooms are characterized by.
Statement Lighting Fixtures
Creative use of lighting can ruin or complete your traditional bedroom look. We are talking about chandeliers, nice table lamps, and sconces that would act as source of lighting as well as decoration.
Classic traditional lighting options:
- Crystal or brass chandeliers
- Table lamps with fabric lampshades
- Wall-mounted sconces
- Bedside pendant lights
And here is where I may go a bit sarcastic, yes this modern industrial pendant looks awesome in photos, but will indeed appear like a sore thumb in your traditional bedroom. The best, most authentic choice is to stick with warm metals, such as brass, bronze or antique silver.
Antique and Vintage Accessories
That is where classic bedroom decor becomes really whimsical. Old fashioned accessories are very individual, they bring a life of their own, a story, which cannot be matched with mass-created decor.
Must-have traditional accessories:
- Vintage books and leather-bound collections
- Ornate picture frames (think gold or silver)
- Classic artwork and portraits
- Decorative boxes and trinkets
- Fresh flowers in elegant vases
Antique shopping is something I can spend forever doing, I’ve spent 100’s of weekends wandering antiques and I will tell you – getting the right vintage mirror or special knick-knack is like hitting the jackpot. These pieces provide your bedroom with character and keep the bedroom from resembling a furniture store.
- Size: Large enough to extend beyond the bed on three sides
- Patterns: Persian motifs, floral designs, or classic medallions
- Colors: Should complement your overall color scheme
- Materials: Wool or silk for durability and luxury
Pro tip 1: Do not make your rug too small. This is one of the mistakes I encounter everywhere and what it makes even the most beautiful bedroom appear chopped and uncoordinated.
Elegant Bedding Ensembles
Classic bedrooms are all about sumptuous, layered bedding that looks like it should be in a 5 star hotel. We are literally talking top quality fabrics, lots of texture, variaton of patterns.
Essential bedding elements:
- High-quality cotton or silk sheets
- Decorative duvet covers or comforters
- Multiple throw pillows in coordinating fabrics
- A throw blanket at the foot of the bed
I am an advocate of quality bedding; you spend one third of your life in the bed so why not make it fabulous? Thread counts of 300-600 should be used as the ideal option of balancing comfort and durability.
Built-in Storage Solutions
Custom built-ins or armoires with storage and architectural interest can be seen in Traditional bedrooms. These works act as central pins and organize your place as it does not get cluttered.
Popular built-in options:
- Window seat with storage underneath
- Built-in bookcases flanking the bed
- Custom armoires or wardrobes
- Under-bed storage drawers
In case you can not afford custom built-ins (and who can, really), find vintage armoires or use bookcases with a bit of imagination in styling. The secret is to select pieces that are deliberate, pieces that are compatible with the proportions of the room in which you have it.
Traditional Artwork and Mirrors
Walls in a traditional bedroom need to be interesting. Timeless art, decorative mirrors and family portraits make the visual appeal and disclose your style.
Wall decor ideas:
- Landscape paintings in gold frames
- Vintage botanical prints
- Ornate mirrors above dressers or nightstands
- Family photographs in matching frames
I also love making gallery walls of artwork and family photos, even just mix them up a bit but they have to have similar color and frame style so it looks unified. And anyway, for heaven sake have something hanging up on eye level!
Cozy Reading Nooks
Nothing is more conventional than a reading corner in bedroom. By having a good armchair with favorable lighting, you will have the ideal space of your space.
Reading nook essentials:
- Upholstered armchair or chaise lounge
- Side table for books and beverages
- Good task lighting (floor lamp or table lamp)
- Soft throw blanket
- Small bookshelf nearby
| Quick Reference | Key Elements |
|---|---|
| Color Palette | Warm neutrals, jewel tones, rich woods |
| Must-Have Pieces | Quality wooden furniture, upholstered headboard, elegant lighting |
After reading there would be a corner in my bedroom installed last year, and it is my favorite corner of the whole house. It just seems so civilized being able to have somebody own little corner of unwinding with a good book.
Quality Wood Flooring
The rooms typically had lovely hardwood floors that made the room old-fashioned and grounded. When you have some imperfect flooring already, maybe it is not as per the floor planners but don;t worry, there are remedies.
Flooring options for traditional style:
- Rich hardwoods like cherry, mahogany, or oak
- Wide plank flooring for a more rustic feel
- Area rugs to define spaces and add comfort
- If carpet is necessary, choose neutral, high-quality options
Hardwood floors are indeed a purchase but the one which is worthwhile, to say the least, in terms of comfort and profit after resale. When you can not bring new life to a floor at the moment, there is a great alternative of having a big beautiful area rug to cover imperfect floors.
Personal Touches and Family Heirlooms
The most gorgeous traditional bedrooms are forever filled with anything and anything which holds meaning but reflects on the personal history and personalities of the owner. These items turn a house into a home.
Ways to incorporate personal elements:
- Display family heirlooms on nightstands or dressers
- Use vintage quilts or throws passed down through generations
- Frame and display old family photographs
- Incorporate pieces that tell your personal story
IMO, this is what makes it truly special traditional bedroom and not a catalog one. It is the knick knacks of your grandmother like her jewelry box or an old mirror you bought at a flea market that make a house a home.
Creating Your Perfect Traditional Bedroom
It does not take a night to turn the bedroom into a traditional paradise and actually, it is one of the joys. Decorate starting with one or two important ones perhaps that beautiful wooden bed frame you have been gazing at or that opulent area rug, and then work up as you go.
The perfection of classic decor is that it is generous and it never goes out of fashion. You may spend years to gather the optimum pieces and every new piece makes your space personal and more beautiful. Avoid being under pressure to fill your traditional bedroom all at once, the best way to get it is to have taken time, love and care.
Don t forget that, traditional does not imply sleeping or old-fashioned. It is making a preference of quality over trends, comfort over flashiness and making a space that will be beautiful to look at in twenty years as it is today. Sweet dreams! 🙂