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What is Old World Home Decor? A Beginner’s Guide to Cozy, Timeless Style

By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly how to bring Old World warmth into your home- even on a budget!

Back are the days where cozy, warm and nostalgic homes are craved once again. A home that feels like a cozy European home that has been passed down from generations.

What is Old Home Decor?

To sum it up, old home decor is a style that stems from European traditions, inspired by Mediterranean Villas, French farmhouses, English cottages, and Tuscan countryside homes.

It is a layered warm nostalgic home decor style that is earthy and imperfect. A mix of vintage and new, natural textures and classic European elements.

We will discover all the essential elements in this post together.

Key Characteristics of Old World Decor

1. Warm and Earthy Colour Palette

This decor style consists of warm and earthy colours. the palette avoids cold or harsh tones and embraces pigments that feel warm, sun kissed and comforting. Here are examples of colours found particularly found in this design style:

  • Warm whites like Alabaster, Cream, Ivory, Warm Linen White.
  • Earthy tones like Taupe, Stone, Putty Greige with warm undertones and Mushroom Beige.
  • Rich historic hues like Olive Green, Deep Moss, Charcoal. Terracotta, Walnut Brown, Muted Plum or Wine tones and Burnt Umber
  • Mediterranean Tones like Ocher, Terracotta, soft Gold, warm Clay and muted Rust.
  • And lastly old world style often takes its palette from materials themselves like aged wood, worn leather, brass patina, natural linen, soft stone grey, dusty sage and iron black.
Old World Color Palette

2. Natural, Timeworn Textures

The old world home design style sets a big focus on using natural material that age well and sometimes even look better as time goes on. Natural texture like :

  • Stone
  • Linen
  • Wood
  • Iron
  • Plaster
  • Aged brass

The patina and imperfections add timeless charm, give a cozy lived in feel and are even environmentally friendly! Using these natural textures are also so much better for your health, avoiding harmful materials and making your home a grounded haven.

3. Classic European Elements

Classic European elements are very popular within this style adding to the whole feel and vibe, helping to keep it authentic as possible even if you aren’t in an old European farmhouse. Here are common elements found within the old world design style:

  • Arches
  • Sloped Ceilings
  • Carved Wood
  • Marble or Soapstone
  • Old Pottery
  • Heirloom Furniture Pieces

4. A Mix of Vintage and New

Since this home design style has a very lived in and timeless feel it is essential to mix in vintage and “old items”. The right way to do this is to thrift and collect things at thrift stores, Facebook marketplace, antique markets and maybe even see what grandma no longer wants in her home.

Items you want to look out for are things like wooden furniture, copper pots, brass candlesticks, books, framed antique art and rattan items. Mix these times with modern clean lined shelves and lighting to create a space that is modern yet cozy, nostalgic and lived in.

5. Layered Styling

It is important to approach a styling in layers when it comes to old world home decor. Textures make a big difference for example using wool, cotton and other natural material throws and pillows in beautiful vintage botanical patterns on couches and chairs.

Adding textiles where you can like curtains, rugs, bedding ect. Decorating with book, candles, art leaned against the wall to create a layered look. Wreaths on doors, botanicals and dried stems in beautiful vintage vases,

old world hallway
Source

Example of Old World Decor Room by Room

1. Living Room

Here are a few examples of elements to include in a living room to achieve a earthy lived in old world feel:

  • Stone or wooden coffee table
  • Oversized art
  • Neutral Linen Sofas
  • Warm lighting

2. Kitchen

  • Wooden cabinets or cabinets in an earthy colour
  • Brass or copper hardware
  • Open shelving, displaying pottery or vintage dishware
  • Stone counters for example soap stone or marble vibes

3. Bedroom

  • Linen Bedding
  • Soft drapery
  • Layered quilts
  • Wooden nightstands

4. Entryway

  • Console with lamp and mirror
  • Baskets
  • Greenery and dried stems
old world kitchen

How to decorate on a budget

Sometimes those gorgeous pieces that would go perfectly with this style are just too expensive and I get it. It is easy to give up and not even try but I am here to tell you that it is still possible to have a gorgeous home on a budget. Here are some ideas how to decorate on a budget:

  • Thrifting will be your best friend. With a little patience it is amazing the deals one can score in thrift stores, antique stores, online marketplace or second hand shops.
  • Thrifting brass candlesticks! These look great on shelves and mantles and are easy to find when thrifting.
  • Look for hardcover classics old encyclopedias! Stack them under a vase or lamp or style on mantle or empty spot on shelf.
  • Use vintage thrifted frames and free printable art work! Do a quick Pinterest search for free vintage art work and you will be surprised what you find. Here is an example.
  • Thrift and collect baskets and woven trays and use these for blankets, planters or coffee tables. They will provide texture and a warm look!
  • Thrift wooden pedestals, stools and small side tables. These will add so much old world charm!
  • Go for linen look textiles. It doesn’t have to be real linen to look it. Use this for duvet covers, throw pillows and curtains.
  • Thrift and use vintage mirrors. These will add depth and European charm.
  • Use rugs with wear, Persian or Turkish style rugs with a little wear will look amazing!
  • DIY plaster and stone wall art will also add to the European charm!

What NOT to do in Old World Decor

Here are a few things to avoid when you are going for the old world European feel!

  • Avoid overly modern shiny furniture
  • Avoid blue/cool tones
  • Don’t buy everything new- the point is to have a collected feel
  • Avoid minimal, empty rooms. (Old world is layered.)

This can be overwhelming all at once so I encourage you to start small. Corner by corner, section by section. This style is all about warmth, coziness and story. Make it your own and be creative with it.

Since this is one of my absolute favourite home decor styles I will one adding more on this topic so be sure to look out for more posts in the near future!

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