Ten ‘timeless’ interior design styles

Top US interior designer Karen B. Wolf reveals the clever ways to embrace trends for your home that will last.

Large open floor plans remain popular.

It has to be the holy grail of interior design — how to create a timeless aesthetic for your home? Whether you’re a purist who likes to pick a theme and stick with it in every room, or more a free spirit happy to cherry pick from a number of styles for a more eclectic approach, we can all agree that no one wants a home that’s quick to date (not only can it be costly to redecorate, it’s also unsustainable to be constantly throwing away furniture and homewares all the time).

While it’s fun to jump on a new design trend — and who knows, it might turn out to be a classic — the trick is buying with longevity in mind. But how do you pick a winner? From investment lounges to iconic designer chairs that are practically guaranteed to stay in vogue, there are a number of clever ways to embrace design trends that will last. Enter, US-based interior designer Karen B. Wolf, who has devoted her recent e-book 2021 Timeless Trends, a series of principles behind creating a timeless aesthetic. With a degree in fine arts and a masters in consumer behaviour, Wolf’s trend analysis is worthwhile reading for anyone embarking on a home interiors project. Each of her projected trends is examined in detail in her e-book, but she has summarised them for us below.

1 Grounded

This is basically country style, but anywhere. As Wolf puts it, “designed for family gatherings, entertaining, isolating, socialising and sheltering in place”. It’s a trend borne out of of the pandemic, but will endure via the popularity of large open floor plans, double kitchens, double islands, large outdoor entertaining areas, kids (and adult) play spaces and “self-contained multi-generational co-living spaces.” She adds that “the palette is warm and earthy with depth of tone and darker woods.” Think: modern farmhouse styling with warm earth tones, outdoor stone brought inside, brick, and black steel windows.

Calming spaces will get a reboot in 2021. Picture: Great Dane

2 Cuddle

Sounds fluffy — and it is. “Cuddle is about comfort and touch,” explains Wolf. “While we crave human interaction and stay in place in our pyjamas, soft, tactile materials and forms have become a daily hug. Monochromatic, voluminous and layered … a welcoming tactile experience.” Think: layered textiles, bouclé fabric and voluminous forms.

3 Heirloom

Unsurprisingly, tradition is a good place to look for timeless quality or as Wolf frames it — family heirloom. But this isn’t about “donning our family’s hand-me-downs” rather — “embracing the nostalgic and storeyed importance of each item.

Think: classic marble and brass, floral wallpaper, the return of bed skirting, fringing and piping, formal table settings, antiques and classic fireplaces.

4 Joy

“This trend is mostly about colour, humour and positivity. Most of us add small moments of Joy to our homes in small doses that can be revolved or replaced over time,” says Wolf. Think: colour blocking brights, neon, playful rugs, colour in unexpected places, and whimsical wall art and murals.

5 Pastiche

“Pastiche is a playful twist on the ’80s and ’90s ugliness,” says Wolf. “Previously called the Memphis Art Movement, the current take on this trend is pastel colours, rather than primaries with simplified patterning.

Forms are still over-exaggerated and colours clashing while mass materials like plastic are used in brighter colours and fun shapes.” Think: terrazzo, archways, clashing colours, Deco pastels and playful sculptural forms.

6 Breathe

Aptly named, for the COVID-19 era, this principle enshrines the recent clean living fad, which extended to food. “A cleaner home means less cluttered environments,” Wolf explains. How does this translate to a design aesthetic? “Woods are lighter, ceilings higher and windows wider and larger. A Cali (ie: California) vibe … open and airy.” Think: woven homewares, greenery, blonde wood floors, textural materials like shell and rope.

Photographed by Seth Smoot, styled by Kendra Smoot and interior design by Lauren Nelson Design.

 7 Cabin

A principle that marries a campsite aesthetic with a bricks-and-mortar home and it’s something we’ve seen with the recent fire pit trend. But it goes deeper than that for the American designer. “The cabin concept is a new vacation model representing family values, the good ol’ days and togetherness,” says Wolf. “Campy and simple, the cabin is not a down country shack, but nod to nostalgic America.” Think: outdoor bonfires, wood panelling, wood plank walls and rustic, cosy vibe.

8 Renew

Work life balance might sound like a fad, but it’s critical to survival — timeless, if you will. “Home has become our sanctuary and finding spaces to recharge within our walls is essential.” Think: healing candles and crystals, self pampering, comforting hideaways, sanctuary spots in the home such as reading corners, indoor swings, meditation areas and luxury bath tubs.

A Sydney philanthropist's home filled with art, books and iconic furniture. Photographed by Ross Honeysett and interior architecture by Don Cameron.

9 Modern ruralist

“This intimate trend is rooted in the sustainability and sustenance,” explains Wolf. “Handmade, timeworn and collected; the modern ruralist shares family memories and traditions mostly unplugged.” Think: deep colour palettes; hunting, landscape and portrait art; flax linen; worn-in leather; open shelving; and hand-glazed ceramics.

10 Urban atelier

“Bespoke and boutique, this luxury, curated trend is

about the quality of materials” says Wolf. “The urban atelier is a trend for the well-travelled sophisticate.” Think: sinuous, line artwork, soft symmetrical architecture, warm metals.