15 Designer-Approved Touches To Add Southern Charm To Any Home

Make a Southern welcome and impression.

In the South, we're known for our considerate manners, easy-going personalities, friendly way of living, and of course, sweet tea. There's something attractive about Southern charm that's even more luxurious when brought into our homes, but what is this style all about? Well, for interior designer Leah Bailey, the aesthetic is the perfect combination of elegance and simplicity.

"Southern charm offers a sense of high style that is opulent but leaves you feeling at ease in the space. Nothing is too refined that the home doesn’t feel lived in."

Meet The Expert

Leah Bailey is the owner and principal designer of Leah Bailey Interiors located in Savannah, Georgia.

Wondering how you can increase this style in your own home? Here are 15 ways to get started, according to a professional designer.

Make A Welcoming Entry

Let your guests feel the Southern hospitality before they step foot in your house. "Southern charm is all about friends, family, and welcoming people into your home," advises Bailey. "Your space should be inviting and make everyone feel relaxed." By styling your front porch with a few planters and a nice set of outdoor furniture, you'll make your guests feel warm and welcome upon arrival.

Something Old, Something New

Part of the Southern charm aesthetic is showcasing history in a fresh way, especially when it comes to decor. Complementing antiques with modern pieces is a great way to up the charm and character inside your home without leaning heavily in one direction.

"There should always be a balance of old and new in your space," says Bailey. "You should always include a piece from the past that you can incorporate with more modern styles. This allows your home to feel timeless and comfortable without harkening to the days of plastic covers on furniture and rooms no one was allowed into."

Stick To Lighter Colors

One of our favorite things about the Southern charm style is the bright and airy feel of every room. This makes the space feel fresh and clean, which is why Bailey says she tends to stick to lighter tones. One of her most used paint shades is Sherwin Williams' "Alabaster."

A lighter color palette "creates a soft background that allows antiques to shine, texture to work, and accessories to pop," Bailey says. "I love incorporating light grays, blue tones, and antique brass against such a neutral color."

Start From The Ground Up

If you're like us when it comes to decorating, the first place you want to start is with furniture and accents. But when redesigning your space to lean more into Southern charm, Bailey says it's better to start with the ground. "Changing your flooring can create a cohesive base for a fabulous design. Whether you're installing new or refinishing existing floors, having a strong base can create an unexpected, big impact overall."

Add In A Back Kitchen

"Back kitchens are a true hit these days," says Bailey about the top remodels homeowners can make for this aesthetic. "They allow for more preparation and storage without compromising the design in the main kitchen space." According to Bailey, a back kitchen is the perfect place to stow extra appliances or items that might be absorbing your counter space, or to display a China collection.

Elevate The Whimsy With Prints

Placing prints and patterns along your walls is an excellent way to boost the Southern charm in your home. Whimsical wallpaper or tiles add personality and character to a large surface area instead of keeping walls a solid color. Plus, the prints and patterns serve as another decor element that ties your room together.

Don't Forget Nature

Every home needs a vase of fresh flowers, especially homes in the South where's there tons of gorgeous blooms. Flowers not only make a room feel fresh and lively, but they also impact the decor. "I love flower arranging," Bailey says. "Some of my favorites to include in an arrangement are gladiolus, hydrangeas, and Italian ruscus. I love curly willow as well for a different texture and height."

If you want to feature more greenery, Bailey says you can never go wrong with a vase of water and Italian ruscus, especially since this plant is long-lasting. She also recommends adding a few stalks to your arrangement for a bigger impact.

Hang Charming Light Fixtures

Sometimes Southern charm for your home can be found in the details. We love dainty light fixtures that amplify the drama in living rooms or dining spaces for another decor element. This chandelier styled by Leah Bailey adds a sense of opulence to the room and transforms the dining table into a focal point.

Personalize Your Decor

Just because this aesthetic keeps things bright doesn't mean you can't personalize your knick-knacks. Southern charm is all about keeping things graceful while staying true to who you are. When it comes to selecting accents to complement your furniture, Bailey encourages looking for antiques that speak to your personal style. "Another thing I love is pulling in a collection that means something to you, whether it be books, trays, or art. Collecting is part of the fun and can come together slowly but create a huge impact as you gather the pieces that speak to you."

Keep The Texture Light

While searching for the right home accents to accentuate the Southern charm of your home, it's easy to lose sight of texture that's crucial for keeping a space balanced. Luckily, Bailey has the perfect way to invite texture in without disturbing the lighter color palette. "Bleached woods are some of my favorites to work with because they have a bit more texture but are soft and neutral so as not to overpower a space."

Focus On Trim Work

Remember how we said Southern charm can be found in the details? Your trim work is another area to consider when conveying this aesthetic. "Adding or changing out your trim details in a room or your entire house can make any space feel more elevated and truly custom. From finishing off your doors, floors, and ceilings, trim can completely change the feel of your space depending on the style you choose."

Swap Your Hardware

Replacing the hardware on your cabinetry for an antique-looking fixture is a perfect way to highlight the sense of history in this design style. "I tend to lean towards antiqued brass or nickel in simple lines that don’t overpower the cabinetry. A small pull or knob can add something special without taking away from the lines of the cabinetry."

Keep Your Space Casual & Inviting

A key part of the Southern charm design isn't how your space looks, but how it feels. If you have a porch swing or daybed on your patio, up the cozy vibes with the help of throw pillows and blankets. Creating your outdoor space to look more functional and friendly makes a bigger impact on the feel of your home and ties into the Southern hospitality we mentioned earlier.

Invite In Natural Lighting

The South is full of gorgeous landscapes. To show off the garden you've worked hard on or the natural trees and foliage, consider inviting in more natural light. Not only will this increase the lighting in the room, but it'll give your space natural decor and elevate the airy feel in the room. While the Southern charm style contains opulence and grandeur, it's also meant to make your space feel more homey and natural, which is what natural lighting will evoke.

Think Realistically

Opulent lighting, spacious rooms, new fixtures... redesigning your home can feel overwhelming. If you're looking to include the Southern charm style in your home and aren't sure of where to start, Bailey gives this tidbit of advice: "Make your space work around how you live. Southern charm style is all about being welcoming and casual without losing the impact of design and elegance."

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Read the original article on Southern Living.