The 4 Most Important Elements of Traditional Design

Have you ever looked at a photo on Houzz and thought, “How did they get that to look so perfect?” Then you’ve come to the right place. The secret to creating a space that’s stunning and magazine worthy is making the many individual choices that create a cohesive overall design. Many times when trying to design a new space our clients want to create it in a traditional style, but get off track when they see something they like that isn’t in alignment with their goals. Without realizing it, the design is muddied up and doesn’t quite achieve the look they were after. We’ve created this short guide to keep you on track and give you the information you need to create your own HGTV home. 

Wondering if the most recent trends are right for you? Read our blog: 3 Ways to Tell if These Kitchen Remodel Trends Are a Fit For Your Family’s Lifestyle

Heavily influenced by 18th and 19th-century European design, Traditional style is Cincinnati’s most popular architectural style. We restore many homes from their 70’s days to bring them back to the glory of their originally intended traditional style. If you’re trying to accomplish this beautiful design here are the things you’ll want to be aware of when selecting items and finishes for the space. 

The Details

Overall you’ll want to look for dark and rich colors with gold and silver accents. When it comes to traditional design even the smallest details are elegant and extravagant. More specifically, with furniture, be sure to find pieces with high-end fabrics with maybe an intricate design. The more luxurious it looks, the better. Throw pillows and lamps and mirrors, sconces, elegant chandeliers are all great ways to add to that feeling of elegance. Don’t forget about heavy curtains and drapes on the windows, and area rugs. Of course, not all these things need to be added to a space for it to be considered traditional, but they are all options to consider, and depending on what you like or what your family needs you can mix and match. 

Flooring & Cabinets 

When it comes to more permanent choices like flooring and cabinets here’s what to look for. First and foremost, hardwood floors are a must with this style and the richer the wood, the better. It’s important to keep your flooring color in mind when selecting the shade of stain for your cabinetry. Painted white cabinets are stunning, but if you’re going for true traditional, stain finishes are the way to go. When it comes to the door style of a cabinet the more ornate and decorative the better. 

There are endless choices when it comes to cabinetry, and if you’re interested in learning more, we have a great blog about cabinet door styles here where you can really dive into it. 

Countertops

Countertops are an important design element of a kitchen or bathroom remodel. The best options for a traditional style home would be granite; or quartz that looks a lot like granite. The all natural and complex looks that come with granite flow perfectly with the rest of the intricate items you’ll be selecting. When it comes to your edge profile (we have a blog on that as well if you’d like to see more), there are many style options to choose from, but again a more detailed edge is going to look stunning. 

The Finishes

Wondering if those bathroom trends will work for you? Read our blog: 3 Simple Tests Your Favorite Bathroom Remodel Trends Need to Pass

Lighting and plumbing fixtures are the jewelry of any room. Therefore it’s critical to select the perfect finish and style to fit your design. Lighting should be ornate and delicate. This could be a chandelier over the bathtub or sconce lighting over the vanity sink. Consider decorative pendant lighting over your granite island for a show-stopping look in the kitchen. 

For your kitchen sinks and shower-heads, you’ll be asked to choose a finish. This is an important decision and can bring a space together. Avoid modern looking finishes like matte black or chrome and stick with oil rubbed bronze or even gold if you want to really make a statement.

Though this feels like a lot to remember and you might be feeling overwhelmed with all the choices and decisions; you’re not alone in this. Bauscher Construction’s professional interior designer will work with you every step of the way to help you create the perfect traditional style home.

Smart People Make Smart Choices

Our goal with these pieces is to help you get the information you need to make educated choices for your home and family. If you’ve found this helpful, share it with others. If you have questions or would like to request other topics to be covered, please use the comment section below and we’ll make sure you get you the answers you need.