It is one of the most liked, durable, and frequently employed design trends among different interior decoration styles.
The traditional interior design of the Georgian era is timeless, well-organised, and pleasant without being unduly ornate. In traditional theme designs, the types of furniture, textiles, colour schemes, and décor are elegantly recognisable rather than just trending.
Before we head on towards the elements of Georgian Traditional style, let’s learn about what traditional style is.
What is Traditional Style?
The traditional style is a timeless style that takes clues from the 18th and 19th centuries, and incorporates classical art, antiques, and pieces with history. The traditional design seeks inspiration from European decor and incorporates elements from England and France. Traditional home designs feature detailed millwork (dramatic design detailing giving a spectacular look that complements the overall architectural design of a home). The colours are calm and soothing in traditional style. It reflects historical design elements using natural materials and colours.
Elements of Traditional Style Interior Design
Let’s look on to traditional interior design elements of the Georgian era.
The interior design for traditional homes can be outfitted with stunning style while paying homage to design movements and appreciating the best elements of the Georgian era. This article covers all the elements of Georgian traditional interior design. Furthermore, the practical tips for nailing the look with confidence will inspire you to incorporate the Georgian era into your house.
01. Classic Furniture
Georgian-era interior design is not just a style of furniture. It’s all about an eclectic yet harmonious combination, with homage to history and a celebration of great design. Start by looking for an old collection of furniture at your grandpa’s house instead of buying a new piece.
Avoid any furniture with no discernible period style or ornamentation, or extremely minimal modern pieces with plain silhouettes. Change them out with historical pieces that you find full of character, and quirky to create a design that also draws attention to intricate moulding and fixtures. Try painting your furniture if your vintage finds don’t quite fit the style you are going for.
02. Colour Palette of Rich Tones
You might be pleased to learn that Georgian-era design offers much more room for experimentation and even playfulness, particularly when it comes to colours. It encourages you to skip boring white walls or any light colour. Choose rich hues as a foundation and use a small number of colours that correspond to the mood you want to establish.
For a more formal, classic style, use darker paint colours for traditional home interior designs. Alternatively, if you’re not ready to fully embrace the dark paints, try painting just one wall to provide a hint of drama, and then you can work your way up.
03. Elements of Barnhouse Style
Barnhouse-style home design offers many flexible methods to create a timeless environment for your Georgian era with a nod to the past yet firmly planted in the present. The Barnhouse design can also incorporate contemporary improvements, making it an appealing alternative for many interiors.
You can start by designing many shared elements, such as the use of neutral hues and organic materials. White barn interiors can combine with ancient barn components. To achieve the balanced appearance of the Georgian era, add one or two pieces of horse barn decor.
04. Proportions and Symmetry
Symmetry and proportions are important when it comes to Georgian-era layout. Because of its mirror-imaging, it lends itself to more formal styles and is frequently employed in conversational layouts in living rooms. Start by putting the furniture in a conversation-inviting configuration, like a couch facing two chairs. Use some restored chairs with a cosy leather sofa, it’s okay if every item doesn’t match.
When the weight of your design’s two sides is exactly equal, you can achieve symmetrical balance. It’s important to be conscious of symmetry, even though it’s not a requirement when decorating traditional home interiors. If you’ve ever stayed in hotels with monthly rates, you can use that inspiration and implement those elements in your own space. This type of decoration found in such hotels can be a good inspiration for achieving a symmetrical yet functional aesthetic.
05. Rich Wood Elements
There’s no doubt that any room looks better with well-made wooden elements. When it comes to hardwood furniture, less is more, especially if you choose dark woods for a Georgian-era theme. Your home interior will only require a statement dresser, repurposed coffee table, or set of shelves.
You can also consider adding wooden panelling to spread more wooden charm across the space. Using too much of anything, even traditional interiors, is rarely good for a room’s decor. For added impact, pick one piece of furniture with a prominent wood tone, and balance it with a floor pattern that matches it. Hardwood flooring rich in maple, mahogany, and cherry is a staple material in traditional decor.
06. Ornate Partitions with Jaalis
Jaali partitions are an amazing way to create a private space in your home. Their handcrafted, varied, and intricate patterns lend a traditional element to your home. Jaali as a design element provides a modern and traditional touch to your home’s interior design. Traditional design elements like jaali work well for small spaces to separate the dining and kitchen or dining and living rooms. It gives a rich and traditional look to your home to match the overall aesthetics of your home.
07. Ornate Decor Pieces
By combining various intricate and highly carved decor pieces, you can create a unique look for your Georgian-era-inspired home. Mismatched decor pieces can also add character and liveliness to a space, while matching decor can provide balance and symmetry. Your dining room or kitchen table is one of the simplest places to test this out. Ornate décor pieces are unique traditional home design ideas one can incorporate into their home.
You can find classic black-and-white images, decorative frames, antique mirrors, old company signs, and so much more at a nearby antique shop. Making a gallery wall is a great way to include these enjoyable decor pieces in your house.
08. Decorative Doors
The entrance door is the one area of the house that is simple to decorate when it comes to traditional house designs. Additionally, it is the first item that attracts the interest of your visitors, friends, and family. Of course, the front door decor needs to be eye-catching and representative of the style.
Opt for stunning antique doors from Georgian-era homes. They usually feature a heavy-framed teakwood entry door that is reminiscent of the doors found in palaces. A wooden door and black tile cladding work together to create a charming traditional ambience.
09. Window Treatments
Window coverings and treatments ought to have a classically traditional design for charming appeal and simple elegance. No Georgian traditional style home is complete with bare windows, so opt for opulent velvet curtains in rich jewel tones, floor-to-ceiling neutral-toned drapes, and dramatic shades.
You can also think about capping off window treatments with a boxed valance with a Grecian key motif or embroidered border.
10. Ceiling Medallions
Using ceiling medallions for aesthetic purposes is their primary function today, as it was in the 18th Georgian century, i.e., to provide visual appeal and draw attention to a hanging light fixture, such as a chandelier. A ceiling medallion is a decorative element that is often spherical and used as an interior design element in traditional homes.
Early in the 18th century, these decorative elements initially began to be employed only in formal living or dining rooms, which were big or significant meeting spaces in affluent Victorian-style homes. But now, from plain Colonial-style sitting rooms to elaborate Victorian homes, ceiling medallions are available in a variety of sizes and styles to fit almost any room.
11. Traditional Living Room Décor
Traditional Living Room Decor is a juxtaposition of varied design styles and eras that work great together with the consistent placement of decorative elements. You can create a traditional living room by starting with a powerful base colour and incorporating antique pieces, contemporary elements, and additional featured hues for a plush take on this style.
12. Traditional White Kitchen
The timeless aesthetic of a Georgian traditional kitchen should not be confused with country kitchens. Here, the classic interior design frequently inclines towards subtle, whites, taupes, and light greys.
You can also make it eclectic by combining various decor items and adding a touch of nature with designs and patterns that reflect the great outdoors. Do not use streamlined hardware or current elements that don’t fit into this traditional white kitchen. Additionally, choose lights and other hardware, such as fixtures, that have enticing elements and silhouettes.
13. Big Dining Room
Comfort and style must coexist while designing your traditional dining room. Traditional Georgian homes often contain big dining rooms that exude an air of old-school sophistication.
Choosing simple, straight-lined furnishings that are also timeless is unquestionably a gorgeous choice. Consider an elegant buffet, a beautiful China cabinet, warm wood, crystal accents and fittings, polished silver, and other items tastefully placed for dining and entertaining.
14. Metals in Traditional Design
When it comes to traditional decor, adding metals like bronze or copper is a must. These are such accents that you want them to shine, but not too much. Hence, it adds a vintage look to your décor, making it a classy element in traditional home interior design ideas.
Myths
01. Traditional Design Ideas are Expensive
You can furnish your traditional home on a budget, provided you set reasonable expectations for the level of quality you receive given your available budget. These days, you can find a wide range of traditional and vintage home decor items that not only make your home appear beautiful but are also extremely reasonably priced.
02. Dark Colours for Traditional Themes can make a Room Smaller
Dark hues may give your room depth, warmth, and substance. They can add a touch of glamour, drama, and refinement. Dark walls might make for an excellent blank canvas. A piece of art can convey a message considerably more effectively when displayed on a dark wall.
03. Traditional Style deals only with one Style
There is no reason why antique, classical, and modern aesthetics cannot coexist harmoniously. The best way to infuse your sense of style and identity into your home is probably by blending, integrating, or infusing other styles. This gives your home a layered appearance.
Traditional Georgian interior design remains popular. It has a smart and refined aesthetic that is both visually spectacular and liveable. Consistency and beauty are the only strict guidelines for traditional Georgian interior design. There should be no surprises in the overall design, which should be cohesive. Following these guidelines will allow you to layer and combine a successful Georgian-era-inspired interior design.
FAQs
01. What does Transitional Design Style Mean?
Traditional interior design is a broad term that encompasses a variety of design eras and styles. It highlights European décor from the 18th and 19th centuries while honouring the vast, rich heritage of the past by contrasting it with more contemporary components for a particularly elegant take on elegance.
02. What are the Storage Options in Traditional Design?
Apothecary cabinets are a wonderful way to increase storage space in your traditional living room. One can also use an entryway table in the hallway or behind the couch, just like in vintage homes.
03. Why do People like Traditional Interior Design?
The traditional design exudes a rich, cosy, and welcoming atmosphere. You can construct a distinctive, well-balanced classic-style home because there is a lot of room for improvisation.
The use of the recognisable design style appeals to people of all ages and personalities.
04. Can we mix Patterns in Traditional Design Homes?
If you have a few pieces that you want to include in your traditional home design, don’t be scared to mix patterns! By using a multi-coloured rug, vibrant pillows, and a vintage blanket, you can liven up any room.
05. How do you Create Traditional-Style Homes?
Traditional interior design is all about a thoughtful blending of extraordinary finds. They don’t adhere to any one particular design because every age and style has its place. Colourful, wooden furniture, chandeliers, a big dining room, and symmetry can be a good starting point.
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Author Bio
Saili Sawantt – She is an Architect and Interior Designer by profession. Writing is what she treats as her passion. She has worked as an Architectural Writer, Editor, and Journalist for various design as well as digital portals, both national and international. Formerly she has also worked with Godrej Properties Limited (GPL) Design Studio, Mumbai, due to her keen interested in learning about Sustainability and Green buildings. Apart from this, she runs her blog ‘The Reader’s Express’ and is a practicing Architect & Interior Designer.
