I feel like I’m outing myself here, but I’m a Yankee. I was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. But I’ve lived in the South for more than 20 years now, and I like to think it’ll have me.
Living in two very different regions has given me a valuable perspective on Southern style and how it’s distinct from others, particularly that of the North — and we’ll lump the Midwest in there too. (They also call Coke “pop” and refer to groups of 2 or more people, regardless of gender, as “you guys.”)
Southern interior design, which has many expressions, is at its core a fusion of the region’s unique tradition and lifestyle. As an interior designer working throughout Atlanta, I see this interplay every day. Many of my clients are building or renovating homes here and prioritize the balancing of heritage, timeless classic style, collected spaces, and both our collective and individual families’ unique lifestyle.
The Traditional Roots of Southern Interior Design
The traditional foundation of Southern interior design is rooted in heritage and an appreciation for what is classic. It reflects an adherence to structure: tailored lines, proper proportion, high-quality materials, and well-considered details such as traditional molding — whether simple or ornate. That underlying structure makes classic Southern homes feel timeless and contributes to their longevity.
Collected Homes in Southern Interior Design
Also rooted in respect for heritage and showing reverence for what is timeless, another hallmark of Southern interior design is the collected home.
Some might have the misconception that Southern style interiors are maximalist. And while certain expressions of the style surely are, most are not. More often, Southern homes are layered thoughtfully over time — filled with cherished heirlooms, meaningful art, well-love serveware, and mementos from travel and experience.
These collections are deeply personal. They reflect history and relationship. And they are not hidden away, they are integrated into daily life.
Hospitality and Lifestyle in Southern Homes
Another misconception of Southern interior design is that it’s stuffy or overly formal. But having lived here as long as I have — and having designed homes across Atlanta for families building lives here — I can say confidently that it is neither. Southerners value beauty but they also value a home that functions. A home that allows them to live fully inside and outside its walls. A home that makes space for loving others well.
Speaking of loving others well, lifestyle, or maybe more accurately, culture, here in the South plays a defining role in shaping Southern interior design. Specifically, our culture of hospitality and indoor-outdoor living.
Hospitality as a Design Influence
Our culture of hospitality makes comfort and practicality essential. Spaces must function beautifully for gathering. But our hospitality culture also breeds a deep appreciation for beauty in the every day.
As I noted earlier, serveware, vases, linens, and entertaining pieces aren’t stored away for rare occassions. They’re kept close at hand — often displayed and enjoyed even when not being used. Those gorgeous oyster plates treasured in homes in and beyond the Lowcountry are a perfect example. Yes, they’re functional. But they are also art.
Southern homes don’t separate beauty from use. They intertwine them. On a larger scale than decor, in many Atlanta homes, that may look like a dining room that hosts both weeknight pasta and Thanksgiving dinner, or a kitchen island that is effortlessly home to fresh flowers, homework, and dinner prep. Beauty lives comfortably in real life.
Indoor-Outdoor Living in the South
Indoor-outdoor living is another defining characteristic of Southern style. Porches, patios, and generous egresses to the outdoors feel necessary in Southern homes. Our porches aren’t just architectural details of our homes, they’re where neighbors pause to talk, where children spill out to play after school, and where, in the warm months, conversations with friends and family stretch long past sunset.
How Atlanta’s Landscape Influences Southern Interior Design Materials
Traditionally reserved for exteriors, wicker, rattan, and woven goods, often find their way inside Southern style homes. But at least as defining is how deeply our surroundings influence our color choices.
As an Atlanta interior designer, I’m blessed to live and work in homes enveloped by the trees of the forest our city has gown in and through. Atlanta’s canopy shapes how we experience our homes. Southern interior design takes color cues from its landscape, whether that’s our forested city, the seascapes of Charleston and Savannah, or the Carolina mountains. Greens and blues, even pinks, are quintessential Southern interior colors. They are used confidently and often function as neutrals in Southern homes.
Our climate and landscape also influence materials: those woven goods, wicker and rattan, linen and breezy cottons. And our unabashed embrace of florals on walls, drapery, and furniture feel inspired by the extraordinary gardens that surround us. Beyond florals, pattern play in general is native to Southern style interiors. Ginghams, stripes, and plaids are expertly layered in a way that evokes ease.
Designing Classic Southern Homes in Atlanta
For families building, renovating, or furnishing homes in Atlanta, understanding Southern interior design offers a way to create spaces that feel both timeless and deeply personal. Rooted in structure and enriched by lifestyle, classic Southern interiors reflect not just where we live but how we live.
FAQ
What defines Southern interior design?
Southern interior design blends classic architectural structure and trim details with hospitality-driven lifestyle. In Atlanta homes, it often includes traditional millwork, layered patterns, collected furnishings, and indoor-outdoor flow that reflects our climate and culture.
Is Southern interior design the same as traditional design?
Not exactly. While Southern style interiors are rooted in traditional design principles like proportion and detail, they are typically more relaxed. Southern homes prioritize hospitality, comfort, and collected character alongside traditional structure.
How do you incorporate Southern style into a current Atlanta home?
Souther design can be integrated into new construction or renovated Atlanta homes through architectural details, classic materials, thoughtful color palettes, layered textiles, and ensuring the home supports the family’s desired lifestyle including related to hospitality and facilitating indoor-outdoor living. The goal is to create a timeless home that reflects both tradition and the way a family lives today.
