The hallmark of timeless home decor is that it lasts well over time and showcases personality.
Benjamin C Tankersley/For The Washington Post via Getty Images
Business Insider asked interior designers which home decor choices will stand the test of time.
Items that will age with your home, like wool rugs and blankets, are worth the initial investment.
Meanwhile, pieces that carry a personal meaning will always be relevant to your space.
Home-decor trends come and go at the blink of an eye, which means constantly following them can be an exhausting and expensive endeavor.
Not to mention, they can start to make your home look just like everyone else's.
So, Business Insider spoke with two interior designers to learn which timeless decor choices you can feel confident making, no matter what's trending in the years to come. Here they are.
Statement lighting is always a good idea.
Ursula Page/Shutterstock
Linda Hayslett, principal designer for LH Designs, told Business Insider that statement lighting is a functional yet unique way to express your personality.
"It's one of the few elements in a home that can feel sculptural without overwhelming a space," she said, adding that light fixtures can also serve as a piece of art.
Handmade ceramics can help add character to a home.Handmade ceramics are a timeless home-decor choice.
Natasha Breen/REDA/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Unlike the mass-produced decorations you tend to see over and over again, handmade ceramics are imperfect and often one of a kind, Hayslett said. They're also incredibly versatile and can be styled anywhere.
"The slight variations give those pieces character and soul, and that is something that trends can't replace," she said, adding, "having that imperfection makes it more human and more curated and aesthetically pleasing over time."
Whether you buy pieces from an artist, make them yourself at a pottery class, or even have your kids make them, it's those unique items that people remember in homes because they tell a story, Hayslett said.
Natural fiber textiles age with your home.Investing in products made from natural materials, like cotton or wool, will pay off in the long run.
Toronto Star/Toronto Star via Getty Images
With the right care, materials like wool, silk, linen, or cotton —although sometimes more expensive upfront — typically last a lot longer than synthetic fabrics with the right care.
"Natural fibers are always going to have a longer, lasting impact. They're more of an investment piece," Stacy Garcia, founder and Chief Inspiration Officer of the Stacy Garcia Design Studio, told BI.
Hayslett also highlighted natural fibers, noting, "They have a lot of depth and some softness, and also they create texture in a home."
She added that these fabrics age really well and blend in with the home over time, too.
Intentionally placed color brings personality and life to a space.Interior designers told BI not to be afraid of color.
Benjamin C Tankersley/For The Washington Post via Getty Images
Color trends change frequently, so there's no need to go all-in on the most popular hue of the year. However, shying too far away from color could also lead to an overwhelming amount of beige.
Instead, Hayslett recommends picking a color that fits your personality and incorporating it into your space through small pieces, like a throw pillow or blanket.
"If you start small, then you can't go wrong," she said.
This applies to those who may be concerned about their home's resale value, too, Garcia said. Although some homeowners may feel the need to lean into neutrals, this can cause the space to lose its personality and soul.
Instead, Garcia recommended experimenting with jewel tones, earth tones, and other desaturated palettes as a way to embrace color in a way that's not too overwhelming.
Stone floors are another design choice that get better with age.Stone floors will wear with time, adding to their charm and the story of the home.
TroyBoy21/Shutterstock
To Hayslett, stone floors are definitely timeless, and one of the best things about them is that they'll change form over time.
"They will obviously wear and patina over time, and you'll start seeing subtle imperfections, and they also add character that you just can't reproduce," she said, adding that elements in a home don't always have to look new — in fact, that adds to its charm.
Personal decor items help tell your story.Decorate with items that have meaning to you so your home feels personal.
The Washington Post/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Both designers said as long as you're decorating with items that hold meaning to you, you can't go wrong.
"If you're looking to really do something that's going to be timeless, you lean into the things that feel personal to you," Garcia said. "You buy things that you love and you surround yourself with colors that speak to you, and you sort of curate your home over time."