Interior design says a lot about a home and just as much about the people who live there. Whether updating a timeless family residence or customizing a newly built space, choosing between modern and traditional design styles is about more than aesthetics. It’s about creating a space that fits your lifestyle, taste, and the character of Maryland living.
Choosing Between Design Styles
At Owings Brothers Contracting, we’ve worked in homes across the state for decades and seen firsthand how each design style brings something unique. Let’s take a closer look at how modern and traditional interior design styles compare and how Maryland homeowners use both to create spaces that feel like home.
What Defines Traditional Design?
Traditional interior design draws its roots from classic European architecture. It’s marked by warmth, balance, and character. You’ll often find richly stained wood cabinetry, detailed millwork, crown molding, and elegant furnishings that lend a sense of history and permanence to a space.
Traditional design fits right in in Maryland, especially in historic neighborhoods or colonial-style homes. Many homeowners opt for classic layouts with formal dining rooms, fireplaces with ornate mantels, and timeless finishes like brick, stone, or hardwood floors. These homes feel inviting, layered, and lived-in, and that’s the appeal.
Traditional design with rustic wood beam coffered ceiling in family room. See the Project Details.
The Simplicity and Function of Modern Design
On the other end of the spectrum, modern design favors open concepts, minimal ornamentation, and clean lines. Picture large windows that flood the room with natural light, neutral color palettes, and spaces that blend function with form.
Modern homes in Maryland often feature wide-open kitchens, floating shelves, mixed materials like steel and wood, and subtle touches of luxury like quartz countertops or linear gas fireplaces. Rather than showcasing detail, modern design emphasizes space and simplicity.
This style works exceptionally well in newer builds, renovations with structural changes, or for homeowners who appreciate an uncluttered, sleek aesthetic.
What’s Popular in Maryland?
We’re seeing more and more homeowners blend elements of both styles to create a “transitional” look. A traditional brick colonial might have a modern open-concept kitchen or a clean-lined bathroom with a freestanding tub and traditional wainscoting. Maryland homes are especially suited to this approach because of the state’s architectural diversity, historic properties in Annapolis or Ellicott City, and new builds in the suburbs of Baltimore or Howard County.
Design preferences also shift depending on lifestyle. Homeowners who host large family gatherings might lean toward traditional, while empty nesters or young professionals often gravitate toward modern features and open spaces.
Choosing the Right Style for You
The best design style is the one that reflects how you live. If you love warm, layered spaces with a timeless charm, traditional might be the way to go. If you prefer clean lines, flexible layouts, and natural light, modern design will likely suit your taste.
Our team at Owings Brothers can help you tailor your interior to your home’s bones and your vision. Whether you’re leaning traditional, going modern, or somewhere in between, we’ll help you design a space that feels like you, built with craftsmanship and care.
Ready to start your interior transformation? Contact Owings Brothers today to schedule a consultation. We’re here to help you explore interior design styles in Maryland homes and make your dream space a reality.
