The Classical interior design is experiencing a significant resurgence as many homeowners begin to appreciate its benefits. For one, classical decor stands up well to the test of time. Trends and fads tend to lose their style in a few years which leads to a home looking dated. Living room furniture is an integral part of a classical interior design and is arguably the most important part of creating the desired decor.
In this article, we will explore some of the characteristics of traditional furniture design, the essential furniture pieces you should buy, as well as ideas on how to arrange the furniture for the best possible aesthetic outcome.
4 Key Living Room Furniture Pieces for Classical Decor
Although there are many furniture pieces that you can buy to create your ideal traditional theme, there are four fundamentals that are useful to keep in mind. These are:
- Sofa.
- Armchairs.
- Coffee table.
- TV stand.
It may be helpful to begin by understanding what makes classical furniture different from other options. These features help to make it easier to identify the best living room furniture choices and offers insights into what the interior design project will entail.
What Makes Furniture Classical?
There are a few physiognomies that are unique to classical furniture. Firstly, this type of living room furniture is practical over anything else. If it is in the living-room, you can probably use it. Many of the other styles, including modern furniture, focus on aesthetics before everything else. Classical designs are more practical and better suited for everyday use.
The functional aspects of classic living room furniture do not necessarily mean that the furniture isn’t visually appealing. In fact, this type of furniture is a delicate balancing act between practicality and aesthetics. This perfect balance is achieved beautifully as most pieces of the furniture feature intricate details including ornaments and curves. In practical terms, an authentic classical piece would look good in a home or a museum.
Fabric, specifically upholstery is also an important distinguishing factor in classical furniture. Some of the more common examples include velvet, linen, and cotton. Lastly, it is easy to identify classic furniture simply by color. Understated and natural color palettes primarily make up the foundation of this style. Some of the standard colors include soft hues of pink, gray, blue, and yellow.
How to Choose and Use Classical Living Room Furniture
Choosing the right pieces is only one part of the task; how you use and arrange the furniture determines the eventual outcome of the decor. There are a few ideas you should keep in mind in both instances.
#1. Sofas
The number of sofas to purchase depends on your budget and the size of your living room. Think of the sofa as the focal point of the room and draw inspiration for the rest of the interior decor from it. Two sofas placed facing each other with a coffee table in between is an ideal setup for a warm and welcoming effect.
Ensure that there is enough room between the sofa and the coffee table to allow free and easy movement. One sofa could look just as good if you do not have enough living room space for two. The choice of colors and fabric is entirely up to you as long as you stick to the natural hues and tones.
#2. Armchairs
Upholstered armchairs can bring the best out of a large living room if you have an alfresco area such as a patio or garden. The best placement, in this case, is to have the armchairs overlooking the outdoor area. You can still enjoy the classic appeal of armchairs in a small room with strategic placement. Two armchairs can complement your sofa and coffee table as long as they are not too close together. This arrangement can make the room look crowded.
Feel free to experiment with colors, fabrics, and patterns but ensure that the armchairs complement the sofa. Take special care so that the living room furniture does not clash with the wall colors or wallpaper patterns. It is advisable to pick the wall color after finishing with the furniture arrangement. Opt for low height armchairs for the best effect.
#3. Coffee Table
As previously suggested, a classic coffee table would look right at home in between sofas. Regardless of the kind of space you have, a low coffee table is a good option. Stick to hardwoods such as oak, mahogany, walnut and rosewood. Keep in mind that the different woods have varying grain patterns and colors. Look into a few different options before choosing one.
Consider adding a console table to your collection of living room furniture if you have space and budget for it. A strategically placed console table such as behind a sofa can add a nice classical touch. These tables are also practical and can be used to put books or ornaments you might want to display. Consider that the height of the table should be slightly lower than the back of the sofa behind which it will be sitting.
#4. TV Stand
Finally, the TV stand is optional. Larger houses have separate living room and entertainment spaces. A classic TV stand can be a beautiful showpiece if your living room doubles as an entertainment room. Less is more for a traditional TV stand.
Consider solid hardwoods with accents such as brass, aluminum or glass for variety. As with all classical furniture, opt for functionality over aesthetics. A TV stand with drawers and provisions for your books, magazines, gaming consoles, music system and other accessories is a better choice over a simple stand that just holds the TV.
Bottom Line
Classical style is simple to implement in any living room as long as you know the basics. Keep in mind that your living room furniture will inform other stylistic decisions such as paint or wallpaper colors, mirrors, lighting fixtures and other details.
Remember that comfort and practicality take precedence over aesthetics in classical furniture and you won’t veer too far from the course. Finally, keep the colors and patterns simple and natural while not being afraid to experiment with different tones. Contrast is also a primary element of the classical design so don’t limit your creativity to solid colors only.