Nothing is really timeless. I love to put #timelessdesign on my instagram posts, but very few interiors are truly timeless. Everything has an expiration date. What is a timeless interior? Does it mean that unless you have a very traditional aesthetic your home’s decor isn’t “timeless”? I would say definitely not. There are certain guidelines that help create a “timeless” interior even if your style is more contemporary . I think the goal behind creating a timeless look is practicality. Decorating is expensive and sometimes exhausting and most of us want things that will stand the test of time. Let’s take a look at the elements that will stretch the longevity of your decor.

Keep It Natural

One things is for sure - nature never goes out of style. This particularly holds true when looking a the hard surfaces of your home. Natural materials such as marble, soapstone, granite, wood, slate and stone have been around since the beginning of time. They will still be going strong long after we are gone. No matter what your aesthetic, if you keep your finishes to materials that come from the earth, you are one step closer to a timeless look. Think back to the kitchen in the Brady Bunch. There was nothing from mother nature going on in there. Whereas, if you look at the cook’s kitchen from Downton Abby it’s filled with natural elements. The kitchen featured in the photo above created by West End Cabinet Company, is about as timeless as a modern kitchen can get. Natural materials are used throughout, the color scheme is neutral and the lines are classic.

Image of the Brady Bunch kitchen via hookedonhouses.net

Image of Downton Abby kitchen via housebeautiful.com

Keep It Classic

Classic Chinese Chippendale doors look fresh when painted white. Image via Lucy Williams Interiors.

Image via Sew It Up of a classic smooth back settee. The lines are simple and the linen fabric will wear out long before it is dated.

Classic lines are always pleasing to the eye. This holds true in fashion too. Think Jackie Kennedy. Even today, her classic sense of style stands the test of time. As shown above, pieces with classic lines can easily be updated. A fresh coat of paint or a crisp linen slip cover can go a long way. Little tweaks breath new life into a classic piece of furniture and keep it from looking stodgy.

Keep It Neutral

Color trends can quickly date your interior. In the seventies almond, avocado, and harvest gold were popular colors for appliances. In the eighties, things got a little more neutral when black appliances began to emerge. Then a few years later, stainless hit the market and remains the standard today. It is the ultimate neutral. It goes with everything and looks fresh.

Keeping your large upholstered pieces neutral will give them longevity as well. When your sofa is neutral, a new pillow or throw is an easy and inexpensive update.

Keep It Simple

When it comes to the bones of a space. The things that are hardest to change are usually the most expensive. This is where you want to keep it simple. For example, keep your cabinet door styles simple, your tile backsplash neutral and classic (think subway tile) and your countertop edges classic. I am not trying to make your space boring - I am trying to help your investment stand the test of time. Go crazy with the things that are easy to change - accessories, wall color, cabinet pulls. This is where you can add the personality that can change as your tastes evolve.

Does It Spark Joy

Above all, none of the other things matter if what you put in your home doesn’t make your heart sing! This category is generally reserved for your fine things that are most precious to you. YOU will love them forever and always. They are timeless in your book and that is really all that matters. Family portraits, fine art, heirlooms that you really love - not that your keeping because you feel like you have to, and treasures you have collected throughout your life that have meaning to you give your home a soul. They spark joy in you and that is the most important element in a “timeless” interior.

Nothing is timeless. But if you stick to a few simple guidelines, you can create a home that can easily evolve over time.