7 Timeless Decorating Ideas for Old Florida Style Interior Design

Are you working on designing your home or vacation property in Florida and want to capture the relaxed, laid-back attitude of modern Florida living and the sophisticated, old-world charm from decades past? If so — you’re probably thinking about Old Florida style interior design!

This iconic Florida interior style blends classic and modern design elements to capture the nostalgia of Florida’s beautiful coastline during a simpler time. From vintage pieces and natural materials to pastel colors and tropical plants, keep reading to learn how to incorporate the best elements of the Old Florida style into your Tampa, Sarasota, or Miami home from our professional interior decorators at THE STAGING COMPANY!

What Is Old Florida Style?

Old Florida-style interior design attempts to take people back to the Florida from decades past. To a time before world-class theme parks, cruise lines, and massive resorts drew visitors to the state, and the allure of nineteenth-century architecture, sparkling beaches, and laid-back tropical vibes drew them in instead.

To achieve the charm of Old Florida in interior design, it is crucial for the design to feel timeless, light, effortless, and sophisticated. We recommend incorporating the following elements to perfectly execute this sought-after design in your Florida home!

Classic Design Elements of an Old Florida-Style Home

1. Natural Materials & Textures

The Old Florida style is all about creating a light, bright, laid-back look that is simplistic and effortless. One of the best ways to accomplish this is by incorporating natural materials and textures into the design. Furniture pieces that could be used interchangeably indoors and outdoors are a great choice, especially if you have lanai-inspired living spaces, like screened-in porches or patios for entertaining.

Consider using rattan, wicker, bamboo furniture pieces, and lightweight fabrics, like linen or cotton, to create a warm, inviting atmosphere that connects the indoors with the natural environment.

2. Vintage Furniture, Antiques & Art

In addition to natural materials and textures, consider incorporating some vintage pieces and décor into your home’s design to achieve the timeless look of Old Florida.

Vintage furniture, like wooden tables or chairs with a distressed, “lived-in” look or lamps with historic character, is perfect for this traditional style. Additionally, one-of-a-kind antiques tastefully incorporated into the design, like framed postcards and maps, give off a cozy beach vibe that will remind guests of Old Florida. To further embody the Old Florida interior design style, you can also display vintage artwork that showcases Florida’s beaches, landscapes, landmarks, and culture. 

3. Breezy, Light, Pastel Colors

We recommend choosing light, subdued colors for paint and furniture for the Old Florida style.

Pastel colors, like light blue, mint, seafoam green, and pale pink, paired with off-white walls, help create a calming, laid-back atmosphere that mimics the soothing nature of Florida’s natural landscapes. Consider incorporating pastels on wallpapers, accent walls, throw pillows, bedspreads, and lampshades. Light colors also reflect natural light, making your Old Florida home feel more airy and spacious. Florida isn’t called “The Sunshine State” for nothing — take advantage of that sunlight!

4. Nautical & Coastal Accessories

Although you don’t want to overdo it on the “nautical” theming (you don’t want your home to look like your grandma’s house, right?), having a few tasteful coastal accessories can tie the overall look and feel of Old Florida-style interior design together.

As mentioned above, classy antique pieces, like vintage sailboats and old ship wheels, are always a great choice. However, sophisticated coastal accessories, like seagrass mirrors or pillows with anchor motifs, can also help to create a consistent theme and evoke feelings of being at the beach.

5. House Plants & Flowers

Florida interior design is all about bringing the outdoors inside, which is why potted plants and flowers are always a welcome addition! Old Florida homes typically have many windows and, therefore, lots of natural light, creating the ideal environment for indoor plants to thrive.

Palm trees are an excellent choice and are generally easy-to-care-for plants that create a tropical look well-suited for a Florida home. Orchids, fiddle leaf figs, ficus plants, and ferns — though more “finicky” — are also great tropical plants for homeowners with more of a green thumb to grow indoors. If you have a Florida room in your home, this is often a great place to put indoor plants and flowers!

6. Retro Kitchen Appliances

Retro kitchen appliances are often a great addition to Old Florida-style homes because they check many of the “boxes” of this interior design style we’ve already listed.

Though they’re not technically vintage, retro appliances give off a nostalgic feel, which adds to the allure of the Old Florida style. Additionally, many appliances come in pastel blues and greens, making it easy to incorporate those pastel hues into the kitchen design. Furthermore, if you need a refrigerator, oven, and toaster anyway — why not make it fun and “themed” as well as functional?

7. Tropical Design Elements

Don’t be afraid of bold patterns and tropical motifs in the Old Florida design aesthetic!

When incorporated tastefully, a statement wallpaper with a pink flamingo pattern, a citrus-inspired kitchen, or a living room with palm-inspired decor and tropical ceiling fans can add a refreshing, vibrant touch to an Old Florida home while subtly nodding to the state’s unique plants, animals, and landscapes.

Embrace Coastal Charm & Vintage Nostalgia with Old Florida-Style Interior Design from THE STAGING COMPANY

Whether you own a beachfront home in Clearwater, a coastal condo in St. Petersburg, or a suburban property in Orlando, our local interior decorating team would love to help you design your home to embody the tropical charm and classic nostalgia of Old Florida!

Whether you’re looking to decorate your primary residence or furnish your short-term rental property, our team at THE STAGING COMPANY offers a wide range of services with your unique needs in mind. Explore our interior decorating packages to find which is best for you, and contact us with any questions.

We can’t wait to bring vintage flair to your property with Old Florida-style interior design!