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Get inspired by the charm of traditional southern style and learn how to copy this look in your home.
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Classic Southern interior design is more than just a trending aesthetic, it is a style that has evolved from cultural traditions and it reflects a way of living. In this post, we’ll cover some history on Southern traditional interior design and architectural influences, key elements of the style today, how it differs from classic New England design, and where you can shop to bring this look into your own home.
As a New Englander who loves interior design and has been living in South Carolina for nearly six years, it has been so much fun learning more about Southern architecture and culture and incorporating pieces of this style into our home.
A History of Southern Design & Architectural Influence
The roots of Southern home décor trace back to early European influences, including British Colonial, French, and Classical Revival styles. As cities like New Orleans, Charleston, and Savannah flourished in the 18th and 19th centuries, the South developed its own design identity.
Southern homes were built to impress, but also to host. Tall ceilings, wide porches, ornate crown molding, large windows, heart pine floors, and symmetrical layouts became hallmarks of Southern architecture. These homes were designed to withstand warm climates, while creating an elegant atmosphere for hosting.
Features such as high ceilings and sleeping porches were essential to make homes tolerable during the hot summers in the days before central air conditioning.
Inside, the focus was on gracious living: parlors for guests, libraries for reading, and dining rooms set with heirloom china.
These architectural influences and design principles continue to inspire traditional Southern interiors today.
If you visit Charleston, I highly recommend touring the Nathaniel Russell House to learn more about historical Southern architecture and design.
Key Elements of Traditional Southern Interior Design
Traditional Southern interiors are layered and charming. Here are the core elements that define this style:
1. Patterned Fabrics and Layered Textiles
Toile, gingham, and floral chintz, fabrics and wallpapers are often layered together to create cozy, collected rooms. These patterns help create the feeling of bringing a home’s beautiful gardens inside.
2. Antiques and Heirloom Pieces
Furniture is not just decorative, but often tells a story. From carved mahogany dressers to paintings of family dogs and horses, antique furniture is prized for it’s craftsmanship and connection to the past.
3. Symmetry and Balance
Southern rooms are often arranged with symmetry in mind. This includes matching lamps, pairs of chairs, or a centered gallery wall.
4. Warm, Inviting Colors
Pale blues, sage greens, buttery creams, and soft blush tones create a palette that feels both fresh and traditional, grounded with natural wood tones, brass accents, and the occasional pop of painted black lacquer for added contrast.
5. Porcelain and Blue-and-White Accents
From ginger jars to china plates, blue and white décor is a Southern staple. These pieces often appear on mantels, shelves, and sideboards.
6. Personal Details and Monograms
Whether on a towel, bedspread, or pillow, monograms and personal touches are often found throughout traditional Southern homes.
7. Emphasis on Entertaining Spaces
Dining rooms, parlors, and outdoor living spaces are designed for gatherings and filled with comfortable seating and fine tableware.
Northern vs. Southern Traditional Interior Design
While both Southern and Northern (by Northern I generally mean New England) traditional design are timeless styles, their approaches differ in feel and focus. Southern interiors tend to be colorful and layered with floral prints, chinoiserie accents, and personal touches like monograms.
In contrast, Northern traditional design leans more utilitarian and restrained, often featuring darker and cooler tones. New England winters are cold, dark, and long. Just as old Southern homes were built to withstand the heat, Northern homes were built to withstand the cold, which means low ceilings, smaller windows, and less emphasis on outdoor living spaces.
However, both of these traditional styles feature antiques, curated artwork, and layered textiles.
Designers Who Embrace Southern Traditional Style
If you’re inspired by this decorating style, here are a few incredible Southern designers who bring it to life beautifully:
Sarah Bartholomew – Nashville, TN
Her fresh take on classic interiors mixes blue and white porcelain, English antiques, and garden-inspired palettes.
Heather Dewberry – Atlanta, GA
Heather’s rooms look enchanting with their beautifully paired colors and patterns.
James Farmer – Perry, GA
James blends florals and warm wood tones, for a traditional meets English cottage style.
Brittany Bromley – West Palm Beach, FL
Her style is full of bold colors and tailored symmetry. Brittany really nails the Palm Beach aesthetic in her designs.
Where to Shop for the Traditional Southern Look
Want to bring traditional Southern interior design into your own home? While I believe shopping secondhand is the best option to really nail this curated look, here are some places to try if you can’t wait.
Antiques & Furniture
- Ballard Designs – they often do sales around big holidays so I recommend waiting to purchase until items are marked down.
- Chairish – they have some amazing vintage treasures, but you’ll pay a premium.
- One Kings Lane – they have a great curated selection, but you should always do a reverse image search before buying a product because I’ve found identical furniture other places for much less.
Fabrics & Wallpaper
- Schumacher – iconic floral and toile fabrics and wallpapers
- Lee Jofa – timeless chintz fabrics and wallpapers
- Calico Corners – custom drapery and upholstery
Accessories & Soft Goods
- Amazon – while you may have to sort through pages of junk to find what you’re looking for, there are many less expensive options,
- Etsy – this is one of my favorite places to find decorative items for my home.
I’ve linked some southern home decor for you to shop below. If you’ve enjoyed this post, I’ve shared similar home decor posts below the shopping section for you to read next.
If you’re interested in following along with my Victorian home renovation or garden projects, please visit my Instagram and TikTok pages.
Shop Southern Home Decor
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