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How to Ensure a Timeless Design For Your Custom Home

Since home design trends come and go every few years, many homeowners seek a timeless look in an effort to avoid frequent updating. But what makes a home look timeless? Here are some tips to make your home look great now, as well as in the years to come.

Neutral colours

For a truly timeless look, choose neutral colours for both paint and large furnishings. Neutral paint accentuates the architecture and design of space without overpowering it. Beiges, grays, and off-whites are the go-to neutrals, and pair well with bright white moldings, doorways, and window frames. Navy and black are also timeless, especially when integrated into accent rugs, countertops, and home decor. When it comes to appliances, opt for stainless steel – nothing dates a kitchen more than having appliances in a trendy colour, as seen with mustard yellow stoves from the ’70s.

Consider the scale

When you have furniture that looks as if it were custom-built for the space, it will never go out of style. To achieve this look, the major pieces in your home should be proportionate to one another. For example, a large room that can accommodate a pair of stately wingback chairs should have sofas equally as grand. Smaller furniture may leave too much negative space and make the room feel empty. The same goes for height – taller rooms can accommodate taller furniture. Any other furnishings like coffee tables and side tables should be proportional as well. A small, delicate wood side table may look odd next to an oversized sofa, for instance.

Symmetry

Symmetry is everywhere in nature, so it’s no wonder we find it appealing in the spaces we create. Symmetry doesn’t necessarily mean duplicating the exact same thing on either side of a room in a mirror image. For example, an accent chair on one side of the bed can pair well with similarly sized decorative vases on the other. Or you can have true symmetry by centering a painting above the sofa, or placing a side table and lamp on either side of a bed. Either way, symmetry is paramount to creating balance and focal points that look elegant and timeless.

Classic and high-quality millwork

Millwork is one of the biggest focal points in a room, whether it’s cabinetry, moldings, or stair railing design.

When it comes to cabinetry, shaker-style cabinets offer a simple and streamlined look and have stayed in fashion year after year. For hardware, opt for classic brass, bronze, or nickel composition in straight lines or minimalist knobs. If you want a truly timeless look, go for a classic white or neutral shade for the cabinets. Alternatively, choose a stain that enhances the natural colour of your existing cabinets.

Previously trending wood stain colours, such as light honey-oak or a deep espresso, can date your home after only a few years. The same is true for moldings – white has been the colour of choice for centuries. Other woodwork, like stair railings made with high-quality craftsmanship, will always be appealing.

Avoid trends

If you are looking for a timeless home design, you should also ensure the elements you bring into your home have lasting appeal. You can’t go wrong having large, staple pieces of furniture in neutral hues and designs that have been around for decades. To take sofas as an example, look to chesterfield, bridgwater, or english roll arm sofas. For chests of drawers, choose ones that have clean lines and are made of high-quality materials. And for fabrics that stand the test of time, natural materials like cotton, linen, wool, or silk will be among the best choices for curtains, pillows, and bedding.