When you are in a room and feel like being hugged by warmth and comfort the feeling you get is like what you know. This is what classic bedroom decor is best at. I have years of experience of making my own bedroom just perfect (and nobody can deny the fact that I have made quite a few dubious design decisions in the process), and I can certainly say that nothing is as timeless as the traditional design.
Traditional bedroom decor is not stuffy and has nothing to do with old fashioned designs; it is about making a home that you love no matter how nuts the world might have become outside your door. You desire to transform your bedroom into a relaxing getaway? And seven tips that actually work, shall we?
Rich, Warm Color Palettes Set the Foundation
Classicism in the bedrooms is based on the warm, cozy colours that would encourage you to sit down and read a book. Think deep reds, dark greens, dark blue, and those delicious cream tints that render everything more expensive, not in a true way though.
What I found out about trial and error is that, you do not have to match the colors of all walls to achieve this. Consider painting one accent wall in darker color and leaving other neutral. My favorite combo, on a personal level? Deep navy accent wall behind the headboard and cream walls- sophisticated instantly without appearing too hard on it.
Pro tip: Avoid those clean, white, or gray that screams of minimalist modern. Classic look loves deep and rich colors. Think of wood tones u’d find in an old english estate, not tech start up office 🙂
| Color Combination | Best For | Mood Created |
|---|---|---|
| Burgundy + Cream | Master bedrooms | Luxurious warmth |
| Navy + Soft gold | Any size room | Elegant comfort |
Layer Textiles Like Your Comfort Depends on It
Have you ever wondered why bedrooms are classically so darn good-looking? It is just that of layering the textile, my friend. I would be happy with one comforter and two pillows but, boy, was I mistaken?
The traditional style requires many layers of material to collaborate. Beginning with your foundation bedding, then add a throw blanket at the end of the bed, then throw on some decorative pillows (again not too many we are not a pillow factory), and finally take a look at window treatment.
Traditional bedrooms can be made wonderful by use of heavy curtains or drapes. They give that feeling of enclosure and warmth that it feels like you are safe in the world. Personally I adore the pooling curtain on the floor a little bit, such drama can make or break the entire think.
Essential Textile Elements:
- Quality bed linens in cotton or linen
- Layered throw blankets in complementary textures
- Window treatments that block light effectively
- Area rugs to define the sleeping space
Invest in Statement Furniture Pieces
Conventional bedroom fittings are all centered on large, solid furniture which goes by the appearance of being long lasting, maybe spanning over generations. I am not telling you to empty your bank account but this is not the place to get your jiggly-pack furniture when you sneeze.
Bed frame must be your star. Seek items with carved accents or upholstered headboard or more traditional woods, such as cherry or mahogany. Four-poster beds are the cry of the traditional elegance, though, an upholstered head board will do just as well when your ceiling is not quite high enough to swing posts over.
Nightstands are more important than you realize. It should match your bed but not be look alike as trailers. I learned this the hard way after purchasing a matching bedroom suite only to realize it was a hotel room and not at all in line with my home. Shake it up – maybe a wooden night stand and one with drawers for storage.
Seating, do not overlook that. A small bench or chair at the bottom corner of the bed is useful and an eye candy at the same time. Where you will sit to put or take off shoes or to stack tomorrow clothes (we are all guilty of this one).
Embrace Classic Patterns and Prints
Traditional style adores patterns, and there is surely the correct method of this process and a wrong one. Florals, paisleys, stripes and checks are your friends but the important part of it is to know when to quit.
I was overcommitted in patterns, floral curtains, paisley bedding, striped rugs and my bedroom was a pattern bomb. Now I work on the rule of three: choose one major pattern, one minor coordinating pattern and leave the rest solid.
To mix patterns, one needs practice. Begin with various scales the mini will balance the oversized flowery florals in your bedding add small scale stripes or check pillows. Stick to the color scheme and you will be perceived as a genius of decorator rather than as the person who was lost in a fabric furniture.
Pattern Mixing Guidelines:
- Large pattern + small pattern = visual balance
- Same color family = cohesive look
- One busy pattern maximum per room area
Layer Lighting for Perfect Ambiance
The combination of overhead lights quickly destroys the comforting atmosphere more than anything. A traditional bedroom requires several kinds of lighting to complement each other so as to provide that sense of comfort and warmth.
Nightstands must include table lamps. They offer task lighting when it comes to reading and the pools of warm light make the room intimate. I like lamps that have fabric shades around the light- they soften the light.
You can add a bit of accent lighting either with wall sconces, or a small chandelier, should your ceiling support the weight. Dorm rooms may be okay to have string lights, but it cannot be more traditional than having elaborate lighting.
Pro tip: Put dimmer switches around your overhead lights. Having the option to control the brightness levels during the day is a tremendous change in the comfort level of the area.
Add Personal Collections and Meaningful Decor
Conventional bedrooms convey the narrations by objects of personal items and related accents. This is not just cramming every surface with bits and pieces, this is selecting objects with meaning to you.
On my night stand I have old books and back at home I have a couple of old picture frames with ancient family photographs. These are human details, that makes the space seem warm and lived-in, not a magazine layout.
Art is to be classic-minded- consider a landscape, portrait or a botanical print as opposed to an abstract contemporary one. The frames also make a difference; seek decorative or conventional wooden frames that would suit to the furniture.
Traditional bedrooms are livened up with fresh flowers or a plant. There is nothing more beautiful or colourful than a simple set up like dresser or windowsill.
Personal Touch Ideas:
- Family photographs in classic frames
- Vintage books stacked on surfaces
- Fresh flowers in traditional vases
- Meaningful artwork with personal connection
Perfect the Art of Organized Storage
The natural bedrooms appear well prepared since they are organized. Concealed storage will keep everything easily accessible and tidy up any clutter yet retain that clean clear appearance.
The Ottoman benches are storage and the place to keep stuff and shrank in two. Drawer nightstands have the benefits of keeping necessities out of the way but within reach during bedtime. Seasonal items are stored away in under-bed storage boxes (the pretty ones, not cardboard) so they are not there occupying space.
The dresser or armoire must be significant in size with sufficient storage space capable of adding the whole picture of the room. I like more classical hardware pieces, brass polished, or oil polished bronze pulls give those other little details that make everything look deliberate.
Spare walls and tables with only a couple of really considered accessories. A classic bedroom look feels relaxed and not frenzied and cluttered.
Final Thoughts: Make It Yours
It does not imply coming out with a visibly conventional bedroom by following the same style as pursued by another. Act upon these advises and fine tune them to your liking and budget. FYI, you do not have to change everything one day but the old style is in fact more admirable when it seems as though it has developed over the ages.
The optimum traditional bedrooms look as though they have been used and cared about over the years. They are homespun, hospitable and thoroughly unpretentious. It IMO is what a bedroom should be, your own escape against the outside world.
Take one or two elements which appeal to you, and work on it. It is important that your bedroom tells your story and that it surrounds you with comfort each and every night. Well that was a successful decorating job!