Non-Trendy Paint Colors & Living Spaces to Inspire Your New Year!

After exploring romantic tranquil bedrooms here, we will now look to tranquil living spaces which can feel sanctuary-like when the right color story is working for it. Non-trendy paint colors are a great place to start if you’re feeling overwhelmed. When I don’t know an exact paint color, I’ll offer a suggestion as a longtime paint color consultant.

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Non-Trendy Paint Colors & Living Spaces

Distinguishing Features of Timeless

What makes these spaces and colors non-trendy anyway? While “timeless” is subjective and disputable, for our purposes, I’m referring to tastefully sophisticated, storied, thoughtfully layered interiors.

A timeless living room is not likely to feel dated a decade from now. But timeless is hard to pin down sometimes. Would you consider this minimal earthy design timeless?

When the design is independent of trends, it may not fit neatly into a single stylistic category (i.e. modern farmhouse, midcentury modern, organic boho). Here’s a rustic cottage living room that feels as though it will age well:

Is timeless purely traditional? No. Does it incorporate antiques? Probably. Here’s a room with plenty of whimsy (the faux painted paneling!) and touches of modern.

It is the mix and good bones that contribute timelessness for me. Capturing a timeless look is obviously not about choosing the proper paint color or buying a particular style of furniture.

Yet traditional pieces and a mix of classics is the right direction to head.

Non-Trendy Paint Color Idea: CORNFORTH WHITE

I love Cornforth White and have had great luck using it.

There are just certain colors to which designers are drawn because they seem to be chameleon-like.

While I don’t know the exact color in this English cottage, it would be well suited for Cornforth White.

How is Timeless Design Different Than Classic?

Classic interiors can certainly feel timeless and timeless rooms may be classic, but for me, timeless implies more history and eclecticism. This living space has timeless details along with modern trending furniture and accessories:

Will it feel dated in a few years? It often comes down to the eye of the beholder.

Classic lines, proportions, architecture, and sophisticated sensibilities play important parts in a timeless scheme.

A Winning Combination of Elegance, Romance, and Luxury

Traditional elements and historical context inform a space with the enduring appeal we’re describing here.

For all of its sophisticated timeless simplicity, a living room like the one above and below include rare and expensive antique furnishings from Europe.

There are no paint colors to divulge for those spaces above where a plaster-like Kal-cote finish was applied to walls, requiring no paint at all.

Timeless living spaces have an elegance all their own, and certain designers are just associated with it.

Cathy Kincaid’s Elegant Style

What’s so interesting about timeless style is how it can swing into current fashion. Right now, interiors like this one are having a huge moment!

While this flavor of traditional timeless design varies from Grand Millennial style that began surging a couple of years back, it feels more consistent with the trending “old money” aesthetic.

I love a Cathy Kincaid interior in any era, in any universe! But it just happens to be striking a chord with current trends. Need this interesting paint color in your life? It reminds me of Farrow & Ball Lichen.

Non-Trendy & Timeless Paint Color Idea: LICHEN

Young people are very interested in antiques and vintage at the moment as they are discovering quality pieces that have been under-valued until now.

Online local marketplaces make it easier than ever to discover pieces that add unique charm to a living space. Saving pieces from landfills is another bonus to furnishing spaces this way. And make no mistake, sustainability issues are very important to younger generations designing their interiors. But the trend may give way to something completely different a year from now thanks to marketers!

Contemporary Lighting & Art

Does modern lighting and art feel at home in a timelessly non-trendy interior?

It depends. If your heart is set on a particular light fixture, then it may work. The good news is the timeless design police will not show up with an arrest warrant!

Here are some ideas for lighting:

And just in case you need a few more ideas for paint colors…

The Wonders of White

While cool whites can be suggestive of a more modern vibe…

Creamy whites and warm whites seem to impart more of a traditional feel. Plenty of suggestions for warm white paint colors, in this.

That said, make sure to sample several whites since your unique exposure will influence the perception of the color.

Will Wallpaper Feel Trendy?

Wallpaper is always a controversial topic since plenty of folks steer clear of it while interior designers love it (at least for client projects).

It is best to consult a professional designer. If you’re a DIYer, I would suggest perusing plenty of inspiration photos of wallpaper and creating a Pinterest board for the ones you admire most. You’ll then have data to study…is it floral patterns or a particular color combination you appear to favor? If at all possible, paper a smaller, less-used space in your home to see how you enjoy living with it.

Wallpaper can make so much sense for a room which lacks architectural interest or feels very builder-grade generic. Sometimes you want to awaken the senses and create a particular atmosphere if a flat paint color is just not working.

When Texture is Your Color/Pattern

If you’re the type who tires quickly of pattern or color, adding texture to a timeless design is wise.

Tone on tone can feel sophisticated and non-trendy and is often so budget friendly! You could find all of the elements below on Etsy!

And no need to rule out dark and moody for your wall color since the look can be so elegant. Moody darker rooms are definitely trending on social media, but don’t let that deter you.

Also check out timeless inspiration here.

Easiest way to know whether a paint color will work? Order peel and stick samples with Samplize to get them delivered to your door.

With all of the inspiration I share on this site, I feel as though there is always a shortage of living room inspiration! Do you sense that too when you’re seeking photos?

Here’s where my own current living room (it’s more accurately a sitting room) started when we began renovating it last year:

Can you even imagine not having this wall we added (above) for furniture placement in the small room? The paint color (find it below) imparts a very calm mood, and even though my egg chair is modern style along with the abstract I painted, the traditional bones and trim keep it more timeless.

If you have a moment, I love how this creator keeps her Brooklyn apartment feeling timelessly Parisian:

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

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