12 Classic Home Decor Trends That Stand The Test Of Time

Home decor styles ebb and flow. What's hot one year is so last year the next. However, some decor styles can effortlessly transition from one decade to the next without appearing dated or unfashionable. They're the patterns, lines, textures, and hues that are as endearing as they are timeless. But how do you know the difference between trends and styles that will never get old? We're showing you the key home design looks that will still be around for many years to come.

There are unexpected furniture trends that come back in style, like the maximalist design resurgence that's suddenly trumping a minimalist mindset of less is more or the once highly coveted sliding barn doors you spent months picking out that aren't as practical as they used to be, according to The Property Brothers. Although you want your home to be a place you feel most comfortable and your friends are even slightly envious of, when you invest in timelessness instead of trendiness, your home will exude a sophisticated and unpretentious elegance that will never need replacing. 

This doesn't mean you should shy away from any new home decor trends that come up in the future since they can be a cute way to incorporate a fun, unexpected element with your existing style, like a brightly colored throw pillow or blanket. But, from using neutral colors to investing in real wood furniture, these classic home decor trends help capture a timeless aesthetic and a sense of quiet confidence that prove good taste never goes out of style.

Whether real or faux, flowers and foliage can have a big impact on your home aesthetic. Statement arrangements are some of the easiest to style and can be swapped out depending on the season. They are a key design element that has been around forever because they bring height, color, dimension, and visual interest to any space. Besides that, flowers are instant mood boosters you won't regret incorporating into every room of your home. Dried green foliage is a great flower alternative that will last even longer.

If you ask what items you should buy that are functional and offer a timeless look, we'll tell you wicker baskets. That's because they're constructed from materials that can fit in with any home decor style. From small baskets to big ones, there's really nothing you can't store in a wicker basket that won't look cute sitting quietly in a corner of your home. There are all kinds of wicker baskets that are made from different materials, like seagrass, and in a slew of different shades.

If you're planning a design for an upcoming renovation or you feel like tackling a new DIY project, it's the perfect time to incorporate traditional decorative millwork into your decor, which includes crown molding, wainscoting, baseboards, and custom cabinetry. You can also use it around doors, windows, pictures, built-ins, or as shiplap paneling on your walls for an instantly timeless and custom look. Some millwork is ornate for more traditional homes or can have cleaner lines for modern styles. Regardless of the type you choose, your home will give off a more timeless vibe.

Before you toss out any of your existing decor, mixing old pieces with new ones is another way to create a timeless space, especially when you have sentimental attachments. Blending heirloom antiques with modern pieces, such as a solid marble table that sits next to a period-style sofa and armoire, sets up your home for perfect harmony. This ensures your interior won't be a slave to trends but rather have a classic aesthetic you can enjoy for years. If you're fresh out of heirlooms, check out local thrift and antique stores to grab someone else's.

Checkered flooring has been around for centuries and will remain a timeless choice. While the classic black and white checkered pattern is the most common, not every home works with these two colors. That's when muted checkerboard shades are the way to go, like grey and taupes. It's easy to get carried away with this gorgeous pattern, but using it in smaller rooms, like an entryway or powder room, will leave a more lasting impression. The checkered flooring works with virtually every style and can even be installed yourself with peel-and-stick tiles that can be removed.

Something you'll notice with timeless decor styles is the use of neutral hues. When you want your home to remain timeless, don't give in to trendy colors and bright shades. Those will vanish faster than you can paint your walls the newest Pantone color. Instead, stick with warm or cool whites and grays, and accent colors like dark blues, blacks, and greens. These darker palettes will complement the neutral tones of your furniture and decor. Plus, the rooms will flow effortlessly from one to another without a single color dominating the rest.

Most patterns will instantly date your home decor, but stripes, plaid, houndstooth, and tartan patterns aren't some of them. Whether it's on a throw pillow, wallpaper, bedding, or a rug, these classic patterns will never go out of style. These designs can be both trendy and timeless and, while they do mix well with other patterns like geometrics and florals, just be sure not to go overboard. Even the modern plaid interior design trend has been given a big upgrade from those throwback sofas reminiscent of the '70s with wider lines and richer colors. 

Who doesn't love a grand ornate piece of furniture? But when your goal is to keep it timeless, you'll have to limit the number of these items you have. One or two pieces sprinkled throughout your home can add visual interest, but too many can look gaudy and dated. Stick with ones that have classic, sleek lines so that no one can pinpoint whether the pieces are new or not. You can't possibly grow tired of having these timeless pieces around. Get creative by adding ornate elements around them, like vases, planters, and so on.

In a world filled with home decor pieces constructed from particle board, nothing holds a candle to solid wood furniture. Besides the fact that it stands the test of time, real wood furniture will never go out of style. If the color of the wood looks dated, there are plenty of ways to refinish it. Whether you prefer to lighten and brighten wood pieces or give them a darker hue, wood is one of the few materials that ages gracefully, and its natural beauty always enhances any room.

Natural materials will always stand the test of time. For home decor, pick a jute rug instead of buying a synthetic one and choose bamboo woven sheets over microfiber. Limestone vases and clay pots can also help create a lasting home aesthetic. When you're renovating, opt for marble or travertine countertops and light-colored hardwood floors in medium oak shades to maintain a timeless look that will last decades. Whether through your choice of furniture, flooring, or textiles, natural materials will instantly bring a warm look to your home that will remain timeless.

White towels likely remind you of hotels, but they remain a timeless staple for a reason. Besides their clean, crisp look and versatility, the great thing about having white towels is they don't fade like colored and patterns towels tend to do. After extensive use, white towels won't be as white as the day you bought them, but they're relatively easy to maintain. With a few of Martha Stewart's tips to keeping towels like new, you won't regret keeping this timeless staple in your stock.

Built-in shelves are the ultimate mainstay in a sophisticated, timeless style. They are versatile additions that can blend seamlessly into every interior design. Built-ins offer storage and display options for pictures, books, knickknacks, and more, and they add an instant custom-made vibe to any room that will never go out of style. Whether framing a fireplace or surrounding the kitchen stove, built-ins are a timeless staple because they're functional and are an efficient use of space that can tie the whole space together. Best of all, changing their look is as easy as swapping out decor pieces.