9 Home Designs That Will Never Go Out of Style, According to Designers

Natural Stone Countertops

Stone countertops like marble, quartzite, and soapstone have a timeless appeal because they offer both beauty and durability, explains Amanda Reynal, interior designer in West Des Moines, Iowa and Palm Beach, Florida (and the designer of the Lilly Pulitzer-inspired room in the 2025 Kips Bay Decorator Show House Palm Beach). They’re also versatile. Since natural stones come in neutral tones, they integrate beautifully into a variety of design styles, from traditional to contemporary, making it a quality investment for any home.

“Each slab has unique veining and texture; bringing depth and organic elegance to a space,” she says. “Natural stone ages gracefully, too, and develops more character over time.”

The one exception: Granite, which Leah Harmatz, founder of Field Theory Design in San Francisco and the designer of Hotel Lilien in Tannersville, New York, tells us lacks the “interesting veining and movement” that other natural stones offer.

Layers of Color and Texture

Without a nice mix of color and texture, a room can feel one-dimensional, and, well, boring. To combat this, Kellie Sirna, owner and principal of Studio 11 Design in Dallas, Texas, recommends adding “a mix of natural materials like wood, stone, and metal to create a balanced, organic feel.” She adds, “Then layer in soft textures and pops of color to add warmth and personality while keeping the space open, cohesive, and, most importantly, welcoming.”

Layering adds depth, character, and complexity to a space by developing a nuanced stylistic narrative. Plus, this allows you to evolve the room’s aesthetic over time by switching out or adding new elements you gather from travels, acquire, or fall in love with throughout the course of your life. Pillows, art, accessories, and books are all prime candidates to help add a personal punch.

“Keeping it classic with a slight twist feels curated and personal,” Bugg says.

Daina Dining Chair by Nigel Coates

A Fireplace (Feel Free to Fake It!)

If you ask David Kaihoi, interior designer and owner of Redd Kaihoi in New York City, “A home always feels more complete if it has a fireplace. The fire has been the center of our existence and captured our imagination since the beginning of time. Having a fireplace gives immediate comfort and focus. It’s the ideal center of a home.”

In an existing home, townhome, condo, or apartment without a wood fireplace, Kaihoi says, “Go ahead and fake it! Nothing beats a real wood-burning fireplace, but the ease and upkeep of a gas unit is amazing.”

If you don’t have a chimney flue, go faux and install a fireplace look-alike. Even the mere suggestion of fire lends a layer of comfort, Kaihoi believes. The key is to “make it look architecturally convincing. Aim for a realistic firebox depth and the appearance of a chimney breast.”

Nick Olsen, an interior designer in New York City notes that a simple bolection fireplace mantel—“basically a simple, curvy molding profile that can be rendered in wood, stone, plaster or even mirror”—is also classic. This is a much wiser choice than a style that’s “overwrought, historically incorrect, or just plain tacky,” as many modern-day mantels can be, Olsen admits.

SimpliFire 36-in Inception Firebox

Well-Made, Well-Maintained Furniture

Your chairs, tables, bed frames, and couches need not all be brand new to feel current. Well-made furniture from any era will stand up to the test of time, Harmatz says. She edits her own space, and the homes of clients, based on the quality of the pieces. Often, all it takes to make antique and vintage items feel refreshed and ready to integrate into the space:

• New upholstery
• Oiling wood
• Sealing stones or ceramics
• Polishing metal

Bonus: “Many of these upgrades help preserve their beauty of antiques,” Sirna explains.

Henredon Mid-Century Modern Burl Wood Parsons Extension Dining Table

Unlacquered Brass Hardware

Speaking of metals, Olsen is forever swooning over unlacquered brass hardware—be it on bathroom fixtures, kitchen cabinet pulls, or door knobs and hinges.

“The finish ages beautifully and feels appropriate in the city, country, and at the beach. Changing out existing door hardware or bath elements is a lot more difficult than swapping in new cabinet knobs, but no matter where you integrate unlacquered brass, you’ll appreciate it every day,” he says.

Olsen actually just took his own advice to upgrade his upstate New York bathroom with brass fixtures, and he tells us, “my dream is installing a matching brass shower enclosure!”

Stylentdecor Unlacquered Solid Brass and Knob

A Mindful Furniture Map

A thoughtfully arranged furniture plan ensures a space is visually balanced, functional, cohesive, and comfortable, explains Reynal.

“Considerate layout design prioritizes flow, comfort, and conversation, making a room feel inviting and effortless to navigate. Whether in a formal living room or a casual family space, the right furniture placement enhances usability and allows design elements—such as color, texture, and pattern—to shine,” she adds.

If you feel like your space could potentially use a refresher, press pause before you start rearranging. Try plotting things out virtually via a platform like RoomStyler 3D Room Planner or Floorplanner to play around with the format to see which feels most natural to you.

Classic Furniture Silhouettes

If you discover that you have a gap in your layout, Olsen says you can’t go wrong with leather or suede seating with elegant lines.

“Just look at rooms by David Hicks and Billy Baldwin—case closed,” Olsen says. “But to elaborate, the elegant lines of Louis XV and Louis XVI furniture look so fresh and handsome in leather or suede, especially compared to mumsy silks. French furniture makers knew what they were doing in the 18th century, these chairs can actually be super comfortable.”

Whether you add them to a contemporary or a traditional room, they’ll fit right in “as long as the scale and quality are solid,” Olsen believes. He adds that a quality reproduction is A-OK if you can’t find a solid antique version. He quips, “Who really lives with museum quality antiques, anyway?”

Pair of Mid-Century Modern “X” Base Billy Baldwin-Style Benches

Unexpected Sculptural Touches

Whether it’s via curvy furniture, an architectural light fixture, or a piece of art with dimension, “One of my favorite ways to elevate a room’s design story is through sculptural elements,” Sirna says. “Innovative shapes and textures showcase a certain level of design prowess and confidence.”

Atypical shapes and textures create depth and dimension and imply more conceptual thinking, all of which are inherently tied to elevated design, she adds.

Kaufman Sofa

Curtain Panels on a Rod with Rings

Slatted blinds feel ultra-industrial and blackout shades can feel aggressive outside of a bedroom or nursery. But curtain panels hung on a rod via rings feels refined and versatile, enhancing the overall design without overpowering it, according to Reynal.

She says that curtain panels hung on a rod with rings add “softness, height, and sophistication to a room.” She adds, “It works with nearly any aesthetic, from tailored and traditional to breezy and casual, depending on the fabric choice. The rings allow the curtains to glide smoothly, making them both functional and elegant.”

TWOPAGES Liz Linen Curtain Custom Linen Drapery Panel

Karla Walsh is a Des Moines, Iowa-based freelance writer, editor, freelance writing coach and level one sommelier who balances her love of food and drink with her passion for fitness (or tries to, at least!). She has over 15 years of professional experience covering food, wine, travel, nutrition, health, fitness, psychology, beauty, relationships and beyond.