We do a lot of talking about trends around here. Heck, it’s the nature of design writers to do so. Always looking forward, exploring exciting concepts to come. Plus, there’s a bit of an ego component of being able to “call” what’s next and then be right about it. But something I don’t think we focus on enough is the steadfast things in design and decorating. What product and material choices can you make for your home that will still look good five, 10, even 50 years from now?
That’s exactly what some of you asked me to think through earlier this month in the comment section of a post I wrote about on the opposite topic matter—2025 trends that have run their course. Honestly, I’m so glad this was requested, because it gave me pause enough to think about it. Thanks in large part to social media, we have an embarrassment of riches of visual resources to work from now, but what comes from that, at least for me, is a kind of style ennui.
We all move through looks, vibes, and trends so quickly, at least in our minds and conversations, that it’s so important to remember that our homes don’t have to flip-flop all that much in response. Pick up some fun little trendy lamp or add in some butter yellow or red? Sure! Why not, have fun. But if you want to lay the foundation for lasting design, there are 10 things I’m calling out as timeless (spoiler alert: one of my timeless picks also happened to be on my 2025 tired trends post, so…keep reading to read my thoughts on what and why).
But first, let’s talk about what timeless in design really means. Sure, time-less means time doesn’t affect the appeal of something, but what I found again and again is that the things that last visually speaking are also the things that last, physically speaking. Quality and craftsmanship are always going to reign supreme, and cheapy, synthetic things just simply won’t. Gorgeous real wood paneling and trimwork? Timeless. Vinyl or particle board “wood-look” floors or wall treatments? They likely will date as fast as that peach in your fruit bowl goes soft next to a bundle of bananas.
It’s easy to look at a timeless room (or at least a room with timeless elements), and know down in your veins that it’s something you could have happily lived in 100 years ago, or 75 years from now. Trend-forward rooms can be exciting, fun and funky, but I can feel a sense immediately that it’s of the moment and fleeting. Also of note is the fact that something that is classic may become trendy and then fall out of trend, but it’ll always look good because it works for a reason. White kitchens may have been all the rage over the last 10-15 years, but they have since been dwindling in popularity. Guess what, though? White kitchens are timeless, and as long as the elements in said kitchen are not overly modern *and* it’s made of quality materials, it’ll look good for decades.
To me, timeless design is simple, functional and familiar, the latter bringing up a thought I had that classic/traditional/timeless varies on your background. What is classic in this country and to our culture is likely quite different than in a different part of the world, especially if European colonists didn’t influence their architecture. In doing research for this post, I tried to find some information about why our tastes change over time, and found this interesting passage about our perception of art:
The Role of Cultural and Social Factors in Shaping Taste: Cultural and social factors significantly influence an individual’s visual taste. Cultural background provides a lens through which people view and interpret art, with different cultures valuing different aesthetic qualities. For instance, the appreciation of minimalism in Japanese art versus the grandeur of Baroque architecture in Europe illustrates how cultural context shapes visual taste. Social factors, including education, socioeconomic status, and exposure to different art forms, also play a crucial role. For example, individuals with a higher level of art education may appreciate more abstract or conceptual art, whereas those with less exposure might prefer more representational works.
Anyhow, I can nerd out on the whys behind this topic all day, but it’s time to go down our list of timeless picks (at least from my perspective), in no particular order:
#1: Natural Materials
Above and beyond, natural materials of quality such as wood, stone and marble are some of the most trend-proof things in our homes and buildings, specifically by not being too showy in terms of color or finish. They tend to age beautifully and are durable or, at the very least, flexible in ways that artificial materials can never aspire to be.
Natural wood in common mid-tone finishes have a way of always working aesthetically. They mix well with other trendier wood tones when they happen to pop up (remember the espresso wood stain craze of the early aughts, and of course, we still haven’t shaken the blonde wood and white oak everything from the Scandi movement), and don’t feel particularly glued to an era in particular. Cerused woods, grey-finished woods, and anything overly lacquered, for instance, do not fall into this category, in my opinion. Those are tied to a time and place.
While wood paneling is closely related to the ’70s for many people, there were a lot of awful, man-made wood-look treatments, whereas a solid wood paneling installation like the above is going to work with furniture of all types, trends, and styles for a very long time and not be triggering down the line.
The same goes for something like the wood treatment above. Sure, there are people who lean more contemporary or modernist and minimalist that would see a room covered in brown wood and shudder (or worse still, paint it all white), but the fact that this could have been installed this year, or a century ago, and it still works makes it timeless.
A natural stone such as soapstone will forever be timeless to me. It’s not showy the way some trendy heavily veined marbles are, it’s very grounding and wears so beautifully. The dark gray/black color is more lasting than the greenish soapstones out there, but honestly, as long as it’s paired with a classic cabinetry style, there will likely not come a time when this looks tired.
And yes, marble of varying colors will always be timeless. If the Greeks chiseled figures out of it, we can guestimate that the material will look good in our homes for all of time. Stick to something that’s not too over the top for the best bet at stylistic longevity.
#2: Authentic Trimwork & Classical Architecture
In the same way that natural materials are timeless, traditional trimwork, millwork, and other such classical architectural details are, as well. I think it ties into the nostalgic factor of what was present in old stately and historic buildings, and in our brains, there’s an immense value put on that that feeds our nostalgia. It’s simply something that I can’t imagine will ever feel dated for this reason, but also because craftsmanship is beautiful. Again, it may not be for everyone, as it can be too frilly or heavy for some, but not being amenable to a style doesn’t mean it’s something that is passé.
The vertical lines of this shiplap make this kind of wainscotting feel more “now,” but altogether, a bathroom like this is going to be as lovely in 30 years as it is now because you can’t really place it in a time or place.
The scroll appliqué might be a bit specific here, but a classic solid wood spindle staircase and the molding around the door frame are super timeless to me. Over the decades, I’m sure their colors will change, the rug running up the treads will be swapped out here and there, but there that trimwork and bannister will still be, looking great.
I mean, I’m DROOLING here. What a statement. What a look. Absolutely gorgeous, now and forever. Thank you, Jean Stoffer, for sharing this.
The plasterwork that was done as and around crown molding will forever be cherished for its beauty. Also of note, but not for the topic of this post: Peep the matching wall color and cabinetry hue. Feels so easy on the eyes to not have to deal with so many transitions, and lets the fireplace and crown really shine.
#3: Beautiful Windows & Doors
Next up on our tour of timeless architectural greats are beautiful windows and doors. Growing up in middle-class suburbia, all the doors we had were cheap hollow-core hardware store types, and the windows were vinyl. No one is going to see photos of my childhood home and add its details to a list of classic design elements, trust me. I understand that doors made by a carpenter or woodworker, especially with unique glasswork, metalwork, or with an arch, are far and above more costly than the more affordable Home Depot doors, but as is the case with these things, they will outlast them by decades if not centuries.
This is truly special and hard to nail when it was made. Could be new, could have been dug up under a pile of dirt and dust at an architectural salvage store. Only Scribe Studio could tell you.
Whatever I think about arches reaching a fever pitch of use, an arched door and trimwork will always captivate my heart. As I mentioned in an earlier photo, even if the tiles and cabinetry colors change over the years to meet the times, that door is going to be a star no matter what.
Dutch doors like the one above have been used in our homes since the 17th century (well…in farms as they allow fresh air in without letting out children or livestock), and they still look this good and apropos. Practically, and centuries-old design that works = don’t fix what’s not broken.
The metal frame windows of this stunning dining space by Mark Lewis are more on the modern side of the design spectrum, but they could also be from 100 years ago…and that’s the whole point of this.
Metal is beautiful, but nothing beats a traditional window like this with its gorgeous casing.
#4: Eclectic Salon Art Walls
Now, let’s move on to some more granule decorating choices, since we’ve spent a bit of time on architectural details.
I know there are going to be a handful of readers here who do not agree with me on this one, but I’m sorry, a very well-done “salon” wall of framed art is ALWAYS going to look good. Now, I’m not talking about a perfectly curated, perfectly spaced, perfectly styled collection of art. The galleries of home art that don’t have an expiration date on them are comprised of photos, art acquired over time, and maybe even generations. The frames weren’t all bought at the same time to match, and it looks like it grew piece by piece until it could go no further down or up.
This art wall is more tailored with a display of pencil or charcoal nude figures, but nothing is perfect or overthought. It feels like it’s showing things the person who resides here loves, it possibly evolves regularly, and not a single ruler or measuring tape was used in the hanging process. That, to me, is timeless, because it’s authentic taste versus something done for show.
I absolutely love the mismatched nature of the art here. Had the art all been selected or hung together to coordinate and check some boxes of a color palette or theme, it would age quickly (even if the individual artworks did not), but instead, it’s just beautiful art, framed in various ways, all hung together in timeless harmony.
#5: Books
I didn’t have books on my list during my first round at this, but it would have been a huge miss not to include them here. There’s not a ton I can say as to why, besides the fact that books have always belonged in our lives, and will always belong in our lives. On our nightstands, on our side tables, covering our walls on shelves, stacked in corners of rooms…just put up the books and please, for the love of god, don’t worry about “styling” them either.
Fabulous…
Homey and cozy…
Just SO DANG GOOD.
#6: Marbled Checker Floors
Alright, we’ve reached the point in this post where regular readers will stop and say, “Arlyn, did you not JUST say that checkered floors were so 2025 and we need to move on?” And to that I’d say: Yes, I did HOWEVER…
Instagram has made a checkered floor feel so commonplace, so requisite of good taste, that it makes me want to not use something I truly love the look of for fear of stylistic fatigue. Like, it looks so good in so many homes, but my god, surely there is something else, no?? Will I ever put a checkered floor in a home of mine? Yeah, probaby, because get this: IT’S TIMELESS! But I just need a little bit of a break from it, that’s all.
That said, let’s explore some beautiful, perennial marbled checkered floors because yes, they do belong on this list even if they’re trendy at the moment.
A checkered floor set at a diagonal or in a diamond shape is when it’s most classic, partly because this layout hides imperfections in square walls. Given that homes used to be built by hand without power tools, they were a little off. A squared checker pattern would highlight these flaws.
Diagonal and diamond lays are also much more dynamic and make a room look larger and more stately, a technique that works particularly well in landing zones like foyers and long stretches of hallways (below).
This is totally lovely, as well, and again, some of the detailing of the millwork might end up feeling a touch 2020s, but the floor—if marble and not vinyl—will be a solid complement to whatever comes its way.
#7: Solid Wood Farm Tables
I’m not a “Modern Farmhouse” gal, but that doesn’t mean one of its go-to components isn’t timeless. Say hello to the dining table that never said die.
It can be trestled, four-legged, or have a pedestal as long as it’s hearty, wood, and looks like it’s seen its share of dinners over the years. The more worn it becomes, the better.
You can pair a farmhouse table with equally homely chairs, something upholstered and tailored, or more pristine…it’ll still look good. It’s to the furniture world what the diamond stud is to the earring arena.
There’s something disarming about a worn and aged wood table. You’re not afraid to put your drink down on it; it’s not precious, and can handle a crayon or candle taper melt or two. That’s the kind of thing that will make us feel comfortable in our homes for eternity.
#8: Stately Armoires & Display Cabinets
I make no secrets about my love of an armoire or display cabinet, and perhaps I’m biased, but I think they belong in our homes no matter what the year is. From a practical standpoint, furnishings like these are functional clothes storage in parts of the world where giant walk-in closets aren’t a thing, not to mention where formal dinnerware and serving dishes were stashed when our kitchens weren’t these behemoth showpieces common to new builds and renovations of the moment.
My favorite type of display cabinet is interesting and ornate, either by way of material (hello, mahogany or burlwood) or carvings like this gorgeous creature above. As you can see, it’s in a fairly contemporary room and feels like it’s always been there, watching the world move and change around it over the years.
A sweet little cabinet like this is also always welcome, dontcha think?
A cabinet that has layers and layers of paint with slightly off-kilter doors can also find a home just about anywhere. (I’m also just noticing the tall cabinet at the end of the walkway on the right side of this image.
It doesn’t have to be this giant thing, either. A small dresser with a hutch can also do the trick, especially in a room like the bathroom.
#9: English Roll-Arm Sofa
Of all the sofas that are still relevant today, the English roll-arm sofa is by far my favorite. Research tells me this upholstered piece was first popular in the 19th century, mostly due to how comfortable it was, but also because it looked “sophisticated.”
I think any decor item or furniture that can work with a multitude of styles, like this sofa, can make it a strong contender for the timeless tag.
It also wears most fabrics like a champ. From velvet to canvas to linen and beyond, it looks good dressed up or down.
So if you want a sofa that will look good today and in 15 years, you may want to consider an English roll arm.
#10: Mid-Century Modern Lighting
Finally, a bit of an oddball that I stand behind. Mid-century modern lighting (Italian and Danish modern being two of my favorites from this period) is something that is timeless in a way that it just looks good everywhere, all the time. A touch of funk and space-agey lines and finishes leaves every single room cooler than before it graced it.
Mid-century modern lighting can cut through more serious rooms covered in wood…
And grounds a more eclectic tableau of furniture, architecture, and art. (The Arco Lamp by Castiglioni is chef’s kiss)
See…works here, too.
Modern lighting like the Danish flowerpot lamp design is playful, comes in some fantastic colors, and always feels unexpected.
Another go-to is the Louis Poulsen PH 5 Pendant (above), which has futuristic vibes that plays nicely even with traditional spindle-back dining chairs.
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We made it. In all honesty, my list could have been 20 items deep, but for the sake of brevity and a punchy number like 10, I’ll keep it here for now. But don’t let that stop you from adding your own timeless elements to the conversation in the comments below. I loved the chats that have sprung up in my recent posts, so let’s keep that energy going here.
Until next time, friends…
Opening Image Credits: Design by Rosa Beltran | Styled by Velinda Hellen | Photo Sara Ligorria-Tramp