The Transitional Design Style

The term transition signifies a change from one thing to another. Change is a process that sees the new thing slowly displacing the old. That's where it gets interesting. What if you were to freeze the transition process and look at what you have? In terms of design, what would you see? That's the exact kind of mindset you should have when designing your room using this transitional design style. It is a coming together of traditional and modern design styles. If you are the kind of person that likes tossing rule books out the window-- then this Transitional Design Style is meant for you.

Transitional Style Architecture

The aesthetic of this design the elements of two styles coming together, mixing the straight lines and edges of modern designs with the soft curves of traditional design. If you are renovating a room, it means taking stock of what you have and adding to it.

Rooms with columns or gabled roofs can be balanced out with modern windows.
You can match traditional chevron pattern tiles with glass or metal.
Adding steel countertops to a traditional kitchen can create an interesting contrast.
Modern floor-to-ceiling windows or sliding doors can add a touch of rule-breaking to Spanish Colonial and Neo-Classical designs.

Transitional Materials

The materials you use towards achieving the transitional design style should be a mix of both design styles. Luckily, there are a lot of design options to choose from but be careful not to go slapping together materials that have nothing to do with each other.

Upholster dining chairs in traditional fabric, but then add a touch of modern lighting to create contrast.
Reupholstering a tufted bed with steel gray fabric makes for quite the contrast.
Try modern floor tiles under a claw-foot tub or arrange the modern tiles in a traditional chevron pattern.
Choose sofas with warm fabrics and clean lines.

Transitional Colors and Finishes

Modern aesthetics call for more grays, whites, and blacks, which is in great contrast to the browns, reds, and beiges of a traditional design appearance. As always, how you blend the two design languages matters. It should look tasteful. The result is usually a décor that feels familiar but also has an eye out for what the future has to offer.

Neutral colors are key, of which you can play around with four or five different tones.
Add texture in the form of wood, fabric, and metals.
Tone down on accessorizing the room.
A single large piece of art will do.
Clean lines are important to highlight the modern half of the transitional design.

Transitional Furniture and Decor

Traditional furniture features elements that are more rounded, have some nuance and abstraction to them. Modern features tend to be edgier which makes for striking visuals. It is surprisingly easy to strike a balance between the two.

The two-tone color palette adds some pizzazz to the room.
Furniture that encompasses both rounded and rigid edges make decorating work easier.
Gray checked fabric on a few pillows adds some tasteful modernism.
Go easy on the accessories like lamps and flower vases.
Wood and fabric sofas perfectly juxtapose with glass and metal tables.

Transitional Lighting

Light accentuates the curves of your sofas, and sharply strikes the edges of your décor. It can easily make the angular dining table stand out from the cushy curves of the dining seats.

Floor-to-ceiling, arched, or corner windows are excellent at letting in natural light.
Exposed light bulbs on steel pendants and other modern light fixtures can work well in a dining room or kitchen island.
An old-school chandelier can add a lot of style, especially in a study or hallway.

Shop Transitional Lighting

Are you facing challenges with choosing a style for your home? At Urban Ambiance, we offer preferred customer service and solutions for home lighting design styles. Ensure you contact us for professional advice on Transitional lighting design.