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The transitional decor is a balanced approach towards the modern and traditional styles of interior designing to blend it together and create a fusion which gives a comfortable and relaxing style of décor. It’s where the conventional and contemporary styles meet each other.
If you are an admirer of the modern day fashion style and but the vintage classics still fascinate you, then transitional decor is the end station for your quest. The modern style interior is mostly focussed on comfort and practicality of living.
The transitional decor is a combination of two different or opposite styles of décor. It is neither too stark and crisp like the modern style nor too old fashioned to fit in the present era. It brings a great mix of warmth and comfort of the traditional design with a modern twist to it.
This unique blend is why it’s a hot trend among the designers today as the demand for it is increasing among the clients.
What is the transitional style?
Image source: Keith Wing Custom Builders
Transitional decor portrays the best of two different interior design styles. It picks the mellowness of the traditional design and swiftly blends it with empirical features of the modern decor.
The neutral colour palates complemented with accessories of woodwork and upholsteries of colourful fabrics yields a style which is sophisticated yet soothing, simple yet comfortable.
How to create a transitional decor?
Neutral colour palette
Image source: Becker Hill Interiors by Marilyn Kimberly
Pick a neutral colour palette which evokes a sense of serenity and cleanliness and maintains the essence of transitional design style. The colour patterns generally include grey, sand, taupe, vanilla, tan and white.
However, there are few bold colours which also can blend in this style such as charcoal or midnight blue, which gives a more masculine decorating style. It would have to be balanced with complementing colours while choosing accessories.
Accessories
Image source: OSMOND DESIGNS
While creating a transitional interior design it is important to establish a visual interest in the technique of the decor. Whether you are using rugs and carpets for the floor, or pillows and cushions for the sofas or in the bedroom, everything needs to complement the colour tone of the room.
The right curtains also enhance the beauty of the entire decor. Every small accessory in the room, even the wall decors has to be picked carefully. Usual colour shades as we discussed earlier are neutral, hence try selecting bold accessories for which would create a nice contrast in the room with a soothing effect at the same time.
Comfortable Furniture
Image source: Passione
In transitional interior design, furniture is the center of attraction and everything in the room is built around them, keeping their placement and style in mind. Straight and clean lines combined with curves, simple silhouettes with the balanced two-tone colour palette are few attributes of transitional decor.
Though clean and sophisticated lines are the features in transitional style home albeit it does not have very stark lines or sharp edges as usually found in a contemporary style. It also does not reflect a formal style of furniture rather has a very comfortable and casual appeal to it.
Metal, glass, wood in combination with leather and other textured fabric is used in upholsteries and other furniture.
Keeping all these factors, it’s also has a very lush and cosy appearance which brings a richness in the design and works brilliantly with all other designs in the room.
Textiles and Fabrics
Image source: Dmitry Serba Design
Transitional design has very significant space for the use of textiles and fabrics. A wide variety of textiles with assorted fabrics can be used in transitional style home decoration. Most popular of these which are used are linen fabrics, cotton and linen blends and texture chenille which looks stunning on wood frames furniture.
Among other fabrics like rayon, silk, cotton, nylon, polyester and leather can be used for different purposes as each has its unique properties.
Fabric colours are often chosen according to the piece of furniture in the room since the blend of these two has an overall effect on the theme of the transitional design of the house.
While choosing a fabric, comfort is one of the key factors to keep in mind. Fabrics are mostly used in upholstery, to cover sofas, chairs, mattresses. They are also used in the window decor as drapes and curtains. Other few accessories which include the use of fabrics are cushion and pillow covers, sheets, table cloths and napkins etc.
Creating a transitional design home
Here are some ways based on the above-shared attributes of transitional design style.
Transitional living rooms
Image source: Julia Rudin Design Group
For an open floor plan, throw in some floor rugs to delineate the dining area from the living space. Neutral colour paints and ample lighting with a table and some upholstered metal chairs can give you a bright transitional design living room.
You can add neutral coloured cozy sofas with some bold and bright shade pillows and add some metal accessories like flower vases, candles or chandeliers to add an edge to the room.
A shade of blue in the grey backdrop of the walls can create a really sophisticated and stylish look. Add some wooden cabinets for storage requirements. Overall some mix and match of different materials and colours will give you a great transitional living room.
Transitional style bedroom
Image source: Lindsey Black Interiors
An elegant transitional style bedroom can be done right with some beautiful hand woven underfoot rug also covering a part of the floor area. Some floral linens and quilts on the bed with velvet accent pillows and upholstered headboard will create great transitional home decor.
Add some skylights in the room’s high ceiling providing natural lights. Use some neutral colour printed wallpapers with a metallic nightstand beside the bed to give a glamorous finish to the bedroom. Choose colours which make you feel happy and warm.
Transitional style kitchen
Image source: Saint Clair Kitchen & Home
Use wooden cabinets with polished frames to the kitchen design. Colour palettes can be white countertops on the wooden cabinets with some touch of green for small storage accessories. It can add a bright and fresh look to space.
Using pretty glassware and kitchen wares, taupe cabinets, house plants in open shelving and quartz counters with glossy finish gives a clean and stylish look.
Add stainless steel appliances with black marble countertops and white tiles and cabinets with a dash of red or green on the top accessories and hanging lights to make it bright.
For a more rustic look, you can also go with wooden kitchen tops with white or grey tile and cabinets. Adding some metal accessories would also make it more countryside with a transitional edge.
Transitional style bathroom
Image source: De Mattei Construction
Add mirrors for a more spacious look with neutral black and white tiles and wall cabinets. Throw in some towels with colours in the shade of green or blue both of which would add a fresh feel to it.
Taupe shade tiles and granite countertops with some golden framework in the mirror and lots of natural lights with shades of yellow accessories for small storages makes the room brighter and glamorous.
The separate glass shower door is another way of making the bathroom look more spacious. You can use mosaic pattern floors or brass and jewellery inspired accents which adds an edge to the design.
Summary
Hope the above transitional interior design ideas would help you build your dream home. Just follow the patterns, shapes, colours, fabric & textiles with the right furniture and you can have a great transitional style home in no time.
Just remember that transitional home decor is a subtle mix of two design styles, traditional and contemporary. This is a decor where the old meets the new to create a soothing and comfortable space of living.
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