The dictionary meaning of transition is the process of changing from one state to another as we are all aware. You may ask the question, “how does this correlate with interior design?”. Transitional Interior Design has its roots going as far back as the 1950s and it is the combination of traditional and modern elements to form a harmonious style. It is simply a balanced mix of classic and contemporary designs in one room with the use of both old and new styles to achieve a pleasing look.
Transitional interior designs have been around for many years and are still being sought after now. It blends the mid-century minimalist styles with the modern and bohemian looks of today to form a uniform piece through the structures and textures used. Transitional interior design simply brings balance to a space. It brings together different design patterns and produces a singular output by balancing new and old, minimal and maximal, as well as luxury and comfort.
Basic Elements of the Transitional Interior Design Style
Transitional design is a link between modern and traditional styles by combining them in a uniform manner. The popularity of this style keeps increasing as time goes on due to how seamlessly different elements work together. There are people who derive pleasure in having minimalist designs in their homes, while there are others who are total maximalists. They want everything they need and more to be present in their space. Both design styles are conflicting, and transitional designs help to bridge the gap between these two worlds by picking elements from both sides and fusing them together in one fine space. To achieve a transitional interior design style, there are some basic elements to look at.
- Minimal Decorative Pieces and Accessories
- Natural Surfaces and Textures
- A mix of traditional and modern materials
- Neutral colors such as grey and cream
- Simple and functional furniture
Transitional interior designs move with time as the contemporary styles are constantly being updated and are made to complement the classic elements available.
How to Combine Transitional Elements
You can make a seamless blend of your favorite retro looks with the contemporary designs currently in vogue. Combining elements from both sides can be done successfully by following the list below.
Transitional Furniture
Transitional furniture by brands like Essentials For Living involves the use of modern tables and chairs but combining them with traditional upholstery and fabrics. Classic wood on streamlined surfaces helps in enhancing the finishes on furniture as they are the focal point of transitional designs.
You can even mix the table and chair designs together by having a retro table made of a natural element like wood and steel chairs designed with glass to get a perfect blend and have your unique transitional interior design look. Instead of using just simple structures in the living room, you can add big couches and sofas with a lot of fabrics as ornaments to complete a simple table with clean lines.
Transitional Lighting and Fixtures
You can use a modern bulb such as CFL lights of any shape or color and blend it with a vintage fixture for your lamps or walls. Fabric finishes and clean lines are key features of transitional lighting. A monochromatic color palette is usually used, and it can be in a cool or warm tone.
A transitional lighting fixture can come with a straight modern base that softly blends into a traditional shade and fabric. The fixtures can be styled differently according to personal preference. The aim is to combine the details of retro fixtures with the elegance of contemporary styles to give a sophisticated yet simple look.
Transitional Texture and Tone
The Transitional design style favors the use of texture and tone over colors to create contrast. Textures like rattan, wood, and glass are combined with fabrics such as leather and suede to give the desired style.
Different textures and elements are combined using monochrome, whereby you can have suede on wood, and as long as they blend with the same color, the design becomes very vibrant and brightens the spaces. You can have metallic frames combined with abstract patterns and style them the way you want. You’ll be focusing on using the texture and tone of different materials to accentuate them, while using colors on pillows to help decorate the whole room and make it pop.
Neutral Colors and Themes
A balanced blend is the desired outcome of transitional interior design. A neutral palette should be used in combination with a colorful theme to add warmth and depth to the room. Neutral hues are focused on serenity and relaxation while still remaining visually pleasing. You can use colors like gray and cream for walls and mix them with deep green or blue artwork and furniture to showcase the beauty of the design.
Every element in any room can be made into a perfect blend, from the bedspreads to curtains, sofas, nightstands, and more. The neutral theme is supposed to make the room feel soft and at ease. You can have blue drapes on a white background to give you a perfect blend.
The Bottom Line
Transitional interior designs work with balance and creativity. There’s no set of strict rules to be followed when trying to achieve this style. All you need to do is combine different elements from the past and present eras to get a gorgeous look. There are lots of transitional fixtures and furniture on sale in various stores, and you can even draw inspiration from social media because more people are using transitional designs now. A lot of people tend to give transitional interior designs a DIY approach because it’s all about them. The interiors of your home should evoke a sense of calm and be very personal to you. It should be a place where you feel very comfortable and relaxed. There are no limits to how far and creative you can get with transitional designs. If you’re inspired to make your interior design transitional, this article is for you!