The past few years have seen a return to classic decor and a desire for all things cozy. If you’re looking for the perfect marriage of heritage and homey, you might be in the market for a traditional casual home makeover.
What Is a Traditional Casual Home?
As coined by Sophia Lee, “traditional casual” describes an aesthetic that embraces a wide range of design styles with the overarching idea that your home can be put together and welcoming without being stuffy.
- Sophia Lee blogs on design, decorating, and all things home.
- Melissa Urdang Bodie is the design director of Melissa + Miller Interiors.
A traditional casual home welcomes guests and puts them at ease with its relaxed aura. It’s the sort of home equally adept at hosting a fancy dinner, a family game night, or relaxing at the end of the day. It’s a style that’s supposed to be lived in—not just looked at.
Its classic vibe is never outdated, so there’s no need to chase trends. The timeless design choices are familiar and comforting while still leaving room to make a space your own.
This is the sort of home that becomes a hub for holidays and celebrations—a place where memories are made.
If this style seems like something you’d like to implement in your home, you’re in luck. We have expert advice that will help you make your home everyone’s favorite for gatherings large and small. Try these tips for creating your own traditionally casual home design aesthetic.
How the Traditional Casual Aesthetic Works
“Traditional casual style focuses on a timeless, classic style, but uses fabrics that can withstand a comfortable and lived-in lifestyle, such as the avoidance of silks and overly ornate detailing. It has a sense of refinement but an ease to it,” says Melissa Urdang Bodie of Melissa + Miller Interiors.
The traditional casual aesthetic moves away from perfection and toward creating a personalized and welcoming home. It works with more than one design style. Starting with a foundation of comfortable furniture with classic lines, this style can be adapted to various genres, such as farmhouse or French country, through the accessories you add.
“The meaning of home has changed drastically for many of us after the pandemic. From the quantity of time spent in the home to the way in which the home is used, we see a sense of comfort and ease as being essential .”
—Melissa Urdang Bodie
Urdang Bode believes this focus on the combination of livability and beauty is a natural response to how the world has changed over the last few years.
How to Create a Traditional Casual Style for Your Home
Traditional casual is a perfect mix of form and function. The style looks tailored and put together without being fussy and is inviting yet serviceable for everyday living.
Use Neutral Hues for Anchor Pieces
To create a timeless base for your room, stick with neutral hues for the larger furniture items and bring in color with accessories. Look for pieces with clean, tailored lines and avoid anything too dainty that might not be able to hold up under frequent use. The anchor pieces, like couches, are worth investing a little more in to get a high-quality item that will last.
Mixing in vintage pieces helps to give a space a timeless feel since not everything is from a specific era.
Choose Durable Natural Materials
When in doubt, choose materials that stand the test of time both in terms of wear and tear and style. “We always try to incorporate as many natural materials and finishes as possible for a variety of reasons. A sheer, linen curtain, a natural marble table, a wool rug … we have moved away from as many synthetics as possible,” says Urdang Bode.
Add the Essentials for Traditional Casual Homes
Although there are many ways to decorate in this style, a few essentials are perfect for every traditional casual house to ensure your family and guests feel like they can make themselves at home.
You can never go wrong with a few comfortable pillows and a cozy textured throw to curl up in. Plus, layering in these accessories gives you the opportunity to add depth to the room by introducing patterns.
You also want to make sure that people always have a space to set their drink easily within reach, even if it’s just a tiny side table. No one wants to sit in the dark, so check that every seating group has ample lighting.
Of course, no space is complete without personal touches like treasured mementos and photos of meaningful family events. Many of which are sure to occur in your newly redone home.