Many who have participated in interior design themes in their home are familiar with both classic and contemporary design styles. These two relative poles on either end of the spectrum are not the only options for a given interior design, however, and one great example of a combining of these styles is known as transitional home design.
At Guild Hall Home Furnishings, we’re here to offer not only the finest home décor available, but also high-quality interior design expertise and assistance from our industry-leading professionals. We’ve helped numerous homeowners source ideal home furnishings and achieve their ideal interior design, including those looking to combine modern and classical elements for a transitional style. Let’s look at some basics on this style and the key variables to be thinking about if you’re looking to go this route.
Transitional Style Basics
As we noted above, transitional style is one that touches on elements of both modern and classical décor, but does so without hitting the extremes of either style. You won’t see many ornate traditional pieces, for instance, and certain extremely modern-only contemporary items will also be avoided.
Rather, you’ll be looking for products that ride the fence between these two and allow you to mix and match. Some of the common features of transitional styles include:
- Tonal color palettes featuring various tints and shades of a single hue featured in various parts of the space.
- Combined shapes that mix clean lines with soft curves, rounded edges and similar shapes.
- Vintage materials used in unique or accenting formats.
- Simple focal points, often with a single centerpiece or accent wall.
- Limited clutter or excessive décor.
- At least some shiny, smooth surfaces like metal frames, glass tops and others.
Unifying Colors
When it comes to a transitional design, color is often used as one of the primary unifying elements that ties an entire room or even an entire floor or home together. Some of the most common colors used will be neutrals like beige, black, white, taupe and similar hues, while many will also consider others like blue or green for calmness and serenity.
Generally, those looking for a transitional style should choose a handful of colors and stick to them for a given room or floor. Accents should maintain these same themes in ways that complement primary pieces.
Fabrics and Textiles
Another major part of tying these two themes together is balancing various upholstery and print types. Leather and velvet are common traditional textiles, while modern options include cotton blends, vinyl and various linens.
One great theme here: Repeating material use in various areas. This makes your design seem purposeful and specific and maintains a motif in several spots throughout the room or home.
Furniture Choices
We’ve gone over basic color themes and materials already – now it’s time to get to the real meat of this design theme. Your primary goal when selecting furniture for a transitional theme, beyond matching your determined aesthetic of course: Emphasizing lines and curves of the furniture while keeping the space open and comfortable.
Many use contrasts from their furniture here, such as a round pedestal table complete with mid-century modern stools that bring both classic and modern themes to the space. Another major theme is scale – similar pieces or areas should have the same proportions if possible, and should be “balanced” so the room does not feel lopsided.
Room-By-Room Themes
Let’s go through a few of the most important rooms in the home and discuss some common transitional design elements found in them:
- Living room: As we noted above, this is all about complementary design. If you have a traditional sofa, for instance, you should look for modern chairs to place as additional seating items around it. You can further complement this pairing with a variety of rugs and pillow choices.
- Dining room: One great way to achieve a transitional design in the dining room is through the dining set itself. If you use a minimalist table without much design, for example, use classic splat-back chairs to introduce a little more flair. You can also use mirrors, rugs and credenzas to highlight angles, as we discussed above.
- Bedroom: The bed frame is a great place to start when designing a transitional bedroom theme. A traditional finish works ideally for many bed types, but you can complement this with more modern items like nightstands, dressers and others.
Broad Design Planning
One note here: If you’re thinking of a transitional theme, it’s important to plan ahead. Because you’re combining multiple styles here, flying by the seat of your pants and trying to design things as you go could lead to several pitfalls, including the purchase of items that become useless almost immediately because they don’t fit the design or dimensions required.
As you can see, transitional home design is a great way to get the best of both worlds when it comes to classic and contemporary styles in your décor. With this guide, you can begin creating a blending of these two designs in your own home.
For more here, or to learn about our home furniture or interior design services, contact our team at Guild Hall Home Furnishings today.
