Though traditional styles hail from different regions and eras — 18th-century France and England, 19th-century America — they all share some common characteristics, namely a timeless, enduring quality.

"Traditional used to mean certain periods of furniture, but not anymore. Now it refers to furnishings that are non-trendy, something classic enough to endure through time," says Sue Adams, an interior designer based in Andover, Mass.

Read on to learn more about the characteristics of this timeless style, and get tips on how to decorate a traditional home.