Traditional Home Design

Modern, country, Zen, Victorian, contemporary-there's practically no end to the options when it comes to decorating your home. But this variety can get confusing, especially for first-time homeowners. Often, they follow the theme to the letter and end up with a home that's picture-perfect, but sorely lacks personality. Homes should be more than eye candy; they should reflect your personal taste and style. If you're not sure which theme to go for, one thing you can do is go traditional.

"Traditional" doesn't always mean old or unfashionable. In fact, they're called that precisely because they're timeless and never go out of fashion. With a traditional décor theme, you can add any elements you like and not worry about it clashing with the rest of the home, or becoming outdated in a couple of years. You can't say that with other specialized themes because they have strict rules on the use of colors, lines and textures.

Start with simple, neutral colors. This doesn't just mean white and black; there are lots of other shades that offer a unique character. Most traditional homes have a modest scheme that nonetheless looks quaint and stylish. Some of the most commonly used colors are beige, peach, brown, pink and yellow. Add some soft contrast with "cool" colors like green and blue, and you've got a nice, relaxing backdrop for your other design choices.

Next, choose a floor or flooring finish that matches your chosen color palette. Wood is naturally the top choice for traditional homes, since it has that warm, classic look and goes with pretty much any shade. If you can't afford real hardwood, there are several alternatives such as bamboo, laminate, cork and reclaimed wood-they all offer the same look at half the price or less. Other popular choices include vinyl, ceramic tile, and stone.

Of course, you shouldn't forget to accessorize. Traditional homes get much of their appeal from personal touches, from little figurines and antiques to handmade décor and wall art. They don't have to be impressive, but they do have to appeal to you personally-it's what sets your home apart from the rest and keeps it from becoming just another pretty space.