21 tips for a timelessly elegant home

A casual elegance

From Ralph Lauren cover shoots to Architectural Digest spreads, the ‘old money’ esthetic has captured the imagination of designers, decorators, and homeowners alike.

Whether or not you belong to these elite circles, the casual elegance of an esthetic defined by heritage, tradition, and quiet luxury is one to which anyone can aspire, and we've assembled 21 top tips to help you achieve it.

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Choose quality over quantity

A few well-made antique or heirloom-style pieces create a more authentic atmosphere than rooms crowded with trendy décor. Your space will look more elegant if you prioritize pieces of value, giving them room to stand out and draw the eye. 

Use a time-worn color palette

Splashy colors can often overwhelm a space, making it look cheap and cheerful rather than understated and elegant. Use muted, timeworn colors like cream, olive, navy, burgundy, taupe, dusty blue, and hunter green rather than bright statement shades for a more refined look. 

Incorporate real wood furniture

Fake wood is always obvious to an experienced eye, whereas real wooden pieces add immediate luxury and value to any room. Incorporate real wood furniture with visible grain, patina, and craftsmanship instead of glossy manufactured finishes. 

Display books generously

Books add warmth and texture to any space. Whether you’re fortunate enough to have a home library, or simply want to display your collection in a living area or office, built-in shelves, stacked hardcovers, and well-used classics instantly create an intellectual, inherited feeling.

Hang traditional art

Hang traditional art such as landscapes, equestrian scenes, portraits, botanical prints, or black-and-white photography. If you’re using multiple pieces of art to create a gallery wall, aim for simple, understated frames that don’t overwhelm the artwork.

Alternatively, if you’re using a single, larger piece, opt for more ornate, gilded frames to enhance the visual statement. 

Mix antiques with restraint

An easy trap to fall into as an avid collector, overusing antiques, particularly from different eras, can make a space feel cluttered, dusty, and dated. One Georgian side table or vintage brass lamp feels more authentic and elegant than turning every room into a museum.

Invest in tailored upholstery

Sometimes time-honored techniques really are worth the effort. Rolled-arm sofas, skirted chairs, tufted ottomans, and structured silhouettes feel timeless and add texture and luxury to a room, helping it feel comfortable and lived in while still expensive and refined. 

Use natural materials everywhere possible

Always avoid overly synthetic textures. Linen, wool, leather, marble, cotton, cane, and aged brass are timeless, quality materials that not only add value to a room, but also last far longer than their synthetic equivalents.

Quality materials are always worth the investment, as they’ll save you money in the long-term. 

Add layered lighting

Though recessed lighting is becoming more and more common in new homes, there are easy alternatives you can implement to avoid harsh overhead glare. Add layered lighting with table lamps, sconces, reading lamps, and soft overhead fixtures rather than bright recessed lighting alone.

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Keep floral arrangements simple and seasonal

A good floral arrangement in an entryway or on a dining table can be the epitome of elegance, particularly when the bouquet reflects the time of year, or has been culled from your own garden.

Hydrangeas, white roses, branches, or garden clippings look more authentic than extravagant arrangements. Try to avoid fake floral arrangements, which often look tacky and collect dust which draws the eye. 

Incorporate heirlooms

It’s always a lovely touch to incorporate family heirlooms if you happen to have them, keeping memories and traditions alive while showcasing valuable pieces.

However, inherited-looking accessories such as silver trays, crystal decanters, porcelain bowls, or framed family photographs can create this effect of lived-in luxury even if you don’t have access to grandma’s bone china. 

Let rooms feel lived in

No one wants to live in a space that feels austere and forbidding, a trap which overly-curated or modern ‘designer’ interiors often fall into. Slight imperfections, worn leather, stacked magazines, and casually folded throws create warmth, realism, and effortless elegance. 

Avoid obvious logos and designer branding

Old money style favors discretion and understatement. You may know that a piece is incredibly valuable, but you don’t need to shout about it to your guests. As always, less is more, and discretion speaks volumes without having to appear ostentatious or tasteless. 

Use traditional patterns carefully

Use traditional patterns carefully: stripes, plaids, florals, toile, herringbone, and Persian rugs add depth without looking flashy. In some circumstances, patterns can be layered for a whimsical, cozy look.

Decorate around hobbies and family history

Model ships, tennis racquets, riding boots, maps, or travel souvenirs personalize the space naturally, and antique sporting goods add a stylish and quirky textural element in addition to paintings or photographs. Your family’s interests are unique to you, and this can be a fun way to highlight them for guests, or even just for yourselves. 

Use puddling curtains

Choose curtains that puddle slightly and are lined properly. Heavy linen or cotton drapery instantly elevates a room, adding texture and luxury. Make sure the pattern is understated and compliments or matches any other upholstery in the space.   

Include pieces with provenance

Include pieces with provenance or stories behind them: estate sale finds, inherited furniture, travel antiques, or handmade objects. These can be great fun to collect, and will always give a room a sense of history and heritage. 

Prioritize symmetry in formal spaces

Symmetry is a time-honored tradition in classical architecture and design. Matching lamps, balanced furniture placement, and centered artwork create calm elegance, and enhance the timeless feel of any space, from dining rooms to bedrooms.

Keep the overall atmosphere quiet and comfortable

The essence of old money decorating is confidence, permanence, and ease rather than trying to impress visitors. Spaces should feel comfortable, casual, and lived-in, but incorporate quality materials and heritage decorative items for a sense of elevated living that feels effortless. 

Use fewer trendy statement pieces

Old money interiors evolve slowly over decades instead of changing with every design cycle. Layering is an important part of this process, as new soft furnishings, artworks, and antiques are added to a room over time.

These pieces should offer individual value rather than something selected at random to fill a hole in the space. 

Intersperse modern and classical elements

Just because you are cultivating a traditional esthetic doesn’t mean every piece in your home needs to be an antique. Feel free to incorporate both modern and heritage pieces to create an elegant blend, with nods to both the past and the present.

This will give your space a stylish, up-to-date air, and prevent it from feeling stuffy or dowdy. 

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