What it is: If Goldilocks were decorating a house, transitional design would check all of her "just right" boxes: not too cold, not too formal, not too fussy. It blends the comfort and warmth of traditional design with the clean profiles and understated colors of the contemporary look. The result? Gracious, streamlined spaces that radiate harmony. It's about meeting in the middle, but it's not at all middle of the road.
Why it works: Browse home design photos, and we'd bet that at least half of the rooms you see fall into the transitional camp. Its appeal lies in having the best of both worlds: You aren't straying too far from the familiar, but you have the freedom to freshen it as you see fit. And because you can update it indefinitely to reflect current trends, it ages well.
Although transitional usually denotes a balance between contemporary and traditional, that's not always the case. You can mix in a few (we repeat, a few) pieces from other styles as long as they don't detract from the casual, tailored setting.
You'll love it if ... You're a natural diplomat. You prefer a few statement accessories to layers of necklaces and wristfuls of bracelets. You serve mac and cheese on your wedding china. Your dream vacation involves chilling out at an elegant spa. You can't understand why people think beige is boring.
Making it Work
By incorporating design details such as straight lines with occasional sweeping curves, and subtle textures with tone-on-tone palettes, the Transitional look is both Modern and Traditional. The result is a unified and stylish space in any room of the home.
Tone-on-Tone Palettes
The transitional look won't necessarily suit color junkies. Warm neutrals rule: cream, taupe, tan, khaki, gray, with the occasional hint of chocolate or espresso brown thrown in to ground the palette. Patterns, if used at all, should be understated; skip the punchy florals and Pucci-esque prints.
If you just can't live without a jolt of color, keep it to a few strategic accents — for instance, you might repeat bright turquoise or saturated coral in a piece of artwork, a pair of lamps and a throw pillow or two.
Simple Silhouettes
Transitional furnishings have crisp profiles and straightforward style — not a baroque flourish in sight. Gentle curves and rigid lines feed off each other to create energy.
You don't have to leave older furniture styles by the wayside, but use updated versions, such as a modern wing chair or a pared-down bergère. Keep the scale large enough to feel inviting and the seating cushioned and comfy; you want guests to flop down and settle in without a second thought.
Neutral Flooring
Flooring tends to be a background player in transitionally designed rooms. It's less about the material than about the color — you can go with natural woods, stone, tile, carpeting and more, as long as they're kept to a subtle, restrained palette. And this style also gives you a lot of leeway to combine multiple floor surfaces throughout a home (though not, preferably, in the same room).
Textural Touches
You can't rely on color to punch up a transitional space, but texture rises to the challenge admirably. Coarsely woven fabrics, natural fibers and a blend of matte and shiny finishes lend a sense of layering and help the room pop.
Think leather, sisal, burlap, chenille, rattan and more — any material with tactile appeal will fit right in. Don't go overboard, though, or you'll lose the sleek elegance that's so essential to this style.
Minimal Accents
Cull your accessories wisely and you won't need a ton of them to make an impact. That's especially important in a style that avoids frills and flotsam — as with furnishings, transitional accents share a lack of ornamentation and have a certain purity of form. Artwork should be simply framed; lighting should have strong, clean lines.
Be prepared: The less-is-more approach requires firm and judicious editing. If you just can't bear to stow your prized majolica or dismantle your gallery wall, ask a style-savvy friend to handle it while you hide in another room.
Clean-Lined Kitchens
Like all such spaces, transitional kitchens have a foot in multiple camps. They might blend traditional surfaces such as wood and stone with sleek stainless steel, or pair paneled cabinetry with minimalist hardware. They might even borrow the idea of open shelving or apron-front sinks from cottage-style interiors.
What you won't see: ornate mill work, fancifully painted tiles or other components that look jarring against contemporary touches.
Crisp Window Treatments
Bring in balloon valances, billowing draperies or elaborate finials, and a transitional room instantly feels overdressed. Yet if you leave windows bare, you risk casting a chill over the space. Treat windows elegantly but simply: basic panels, bamboo blinds, neutral Roman shades.
Serenity
Above all, a transitional space should feel restful. You're going for an air of peace and ease — sure of itself without being brash, calm without being too quiet. If you sense a discordant note, take a critical look to see what needs pruning or smoothing. Each piece should fit into a unified whole.
Source: Lisa Frederick, houzz.com
What's your interpretation of transitional design? Share your thoughts in the Comments!
