❝There are two things that make a room timeless: a sense of history and a piece of the future❞ - Charlotte Moss

There are many types of interior design and each style consists of distinctive furniture, decors, lighting, and accessories that give it its signature look. By getting to know some of the most popular styles, you’ll better understand what styles stand out to you and meet your preferences. A hint on today’s style we are discussing, Charlotte Moss once said “there are two things that make a room timeless : a sense of history and a piece of the future”! With a mixture of the traditional and modern styles, we will be discussing transitional interior design style in today’s “Know Your Interior Design Style Series”!

Like mentioned, transitional interior design style is a style that blends traditional and contemporary elements to create a cohesive and balanced space. It's a popular choice for those who appreciate both classic and modern aesthetics and want to achieve a timeless look in their home. Transitional became popular among people, why exactly? There are a few reasons, such as transitional becoming the ideal choice for those individuals who prefer not to confine their home interior design aesthetics to a single era or specific design style. With transitional style, house owners are given more freedom to decorate their home by mixing a lot of decors and it is easier to express yourself in the space. 

With all those advantages, there are also some challenges to make everything work together while evoking true transitional style. Some of these challenges include : 

1. Scale 

Getting the scale right is essential. The important aspect here is to maintain uniformity in the size of most furnishings and accessories within a room, with the exception of a few larger focal points. These larger items may include central pieces such as coffee tables or dining room tables, sofas, chairs, and wall art.

2. Color and fabrication 

Color and material selection can be another challenging aspect. When there are too many colors and patterns in a room, they can compete for attention, leaving the eye uncertain where to focus. Conversely, if everything is too similar, items may blend together excessively. The trick is to introduce variety while identifying common elements that will harmonize the overall look without appearing too similar. 

3. Staying timeless 

While transitional design aims for a timeless look, trends and personal tastes evolve over time. Striking a balance between current trends and enduring style can be challenging to ensure the design remains relevant and appealing for years to come.

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To achieve the transitional look in your home, there are some elements and characteristics interior designers and house owners need to consider to strike a balance between the mixture of styles. 

1. Easy furnishing 

The focal point of transitional interior design style lies in the integration of comfortable and functional modern furnishings. The objective is to achieve a modern and cozy ambiance.

2. Neutral palette

Neutral color palettes are versatile and widely used in various design contexts, including interior design. They provide a sense of balance, simplicity, and sophistication and they can complement a wide range of other colors and styles. Additionally, neutral color schemes are often chosen for their ability to create a calming and timeless aesthetic which suit transitional interior design style. 

3. Accent patterns and colors 

In order to maintain a contemporary atmosphere, it is essential to thoughtfully select accent colors and patterns. Designers often achieve this by utilizing upholstery within a neutrally painted room. 

4. Combine old and new 

As the transitional style refers to, it is a combination of old and new! Transitional-styled homes offer a harmonious blend of old and new decor elements and materials. 

5. Single focal point 

Transitional design shares similarities with modern design in its minimalist approach, emphasizing the space's focal points. Choosing a single focal point, such as a coffee table or a chandelier, to style the room helps preserve an elegant and intimate ambiance in the space.

6. Minimal artwork 

Transitional interior design style involves choosing a limited number of accessories and artworks that complement the overall aesthetic while avoiding clutter and visual overload. By focusing on minimal accessories and artworks, the design emphasizes clean lines, uncluttered surfaces, and a sense of openness. This allows the chosen pieces to stand out and make a statement without overwhelming the space.

7. Organic textures 

In transitional-style homes, organic or earthy textures are highly complementary. Consider incorporating natural elements or furniture and home decor reminiscent of the outdoors, while still maintaining modern functionality.

8. Natural light 

Natural light is a fundamental aspect of architectural and interior design, offering numerous benefits such as enhancing the visual appeal of spaces, reducing the need for artificial lighting, and creating a sense of openness and connection to the outdoors. Transitional spaces embrace that natural light, fostering open floor plans that facilitate the easy flow of daylight, creating a relaxed ambiance within the room. 

Transitional interior design stands out from other interior design styles due to its unique blend of traditional and contemporary or modern elements. Here are some key differences between transitional interior design and other popular interior design styles :

1. Transitional Style vs Traditional Style 

• While traditional design often incorporates formal elements from the 18th and 19th centuries like classic art, wainscoting and antique furniture, transitional design combines them with contemporary pieces to create a layered, timeless aesthetic.

• Traditional style typically showcases a blend of mahogany woods, deep blues, reds and opulent brocade fabrics. In contrast, transitional design introduces lighter wood tones, soft blues, whites, and incorporates larger scale, more contemporary patterns and fabrics.

• Traditional design often feels formal and elegant, while transitional design offers a more relaxed and versatile aesthetic.

Source : Pinterest
 

2. Transitional Style vs Contemporary Style 

• Contemporary interior design embraces sleek lines, minimalism, and innovative materials. Transitional design incorporates contemporary elements but softens them with traditional touches, creating a more timeless and comfortable atmosphere.

• While contemporary design can feel cutting-edge and trend-focused, transitional design maintains a sense of warmth and familiarity.

• In a decade, contemporary style may evolve into something entirely distinct, while transitional design is likely to retain its current form.

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3. Transitional Style vs Modern Style 

• Modern interior design is characterized by clean lines, geometric shapes and a focus on function and simplicity. Transitional design shares some similarities with modern design, such as clean lines and simplicity, but it also incorporates more traditional elements like textured fabrics and classic furniture pieces.

• Modern design often feels more minimalist and futuristic, while transitional design blends elements from different eras for a balanced and inviting look.

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Incorporating transitional style into your home involves blending traditional and contemporary elements to create a balanced and timeless look. Here are 10 ways to add transitional style to your home :

1. Pick neutral color

Transitional style homes often feature neutral color schemes, including shades like grays, whites, sand, taupe, and moss. To add depth and interest, designers incorporate secondary or tertiary layers of bolder colors such as blues, greens, and browns. This approach allows for a balanced blend of traditional and modern styles within the design.

2. Colorful accessories 

While the transitional style directs you towards using neutral color tones, to infuse a modern feel into the room entails incorporating colorful accessories. Artwork, home decor pieces, furnishings, and fabrics serve as excellent means to introduce pops of color, patterns, or abstract elements into the interior space. 

3. Use cushions

Cushions, undoubtedly, stand out as the element in a room capable of injecting flair and drama. They serve as excellent accessories for enhancing a plainly colored room, offering a touch of oomph. 

4. Pick the right furniture pieces

In the realm of transitional home decorating, selecting the appropriate furniture pieces holds paramount importance. Traditional design often favored larger furniture items, making bold statements, while modern homes tend to feature smaller, more functional pieces that prioritize utility over pure aesthetics. Achieving the desired balance involves leveraging traditional furniture while infusing it with a contemporary twist, such as upholstering it with youthful and rejuvenating fabrics. This approach allows for the preservation of timeless charm while seamlessly integrating modern sensibilities into the overall design scheme.

5. Lighting is important 

Lighting is always an important element in every interior design style, including the transitional aesthetic. In this style, designers often opt for contemporary lighting fixtures, exploring innovative and distinctive designs that illuminate a room with flair.

6. Use metal accents

Incorporating colors like bronze, gold, silver, and copper into lighting fixtures, accessories, furnishings, and other elements contributes to establishing a modern yet classic interior aesthetic. These metallic hues add sophistication, depth, and visual interest while complementing diverse design styles and color palettes.

7. Use carpets to add depth 

Carpets possess a unique ability to infuse a room with a traditional and vintage ambiance. Opting for carpets featuring modern prints or color schemes can enrich a room's interiors, adding layers of depth and visual interest. 

8. Use a statement piece

Another great way to add a transitional vibe to a room is by using an old-timey statement piece. By incorporating a traditional piece of art, furniture, or home decor, you can establish a captivating focal point within the room. 

9. Use contemporary art 

Contemporary art stands out as a perfect example of modernity, particularly when compared side-by-side against walls painted in neutral tones. To achieve a fully realized transitional look, prioritize contemporary artwork and home decor pieces to invigorate the remainder of the room. This approach not only infuses the space with a sense of modern sophistication but also preserves an elegant yet minimalist ambiance. 

10. Use wood

Wood is a remarkable element, imbued with timelessness and the capacity to infuse a space with elegance when applied thoughtfully. In transitional interiors, wooden furniture, materials, and fabrics that evoke woody textures play an important role in harmonizing traditional and modern aesthetics.

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Here, we will give a few tips and suggestions on how to implement the traditional look in your home that includes colors, furniture, textiles and accessories. 

1. Colors 

In transitional interior design, the choice of color schemes varies depending on the desired ambiance for each room. For a subtle approach to transitional decor, consider opting for tonal combinations, incorporating four to five shades of the same hue. Alternatively, for a more dramatic effect, experiment with dark, moody tones while maintaining a consistent range of hues throughout.

2. Furniture 

As transitional interior design thrives on unexpected yet harmonious combinations, opt for clean and simple shapes offset by subtle, abstract, and curved elements to encourage movement throughout the room. There's a subtle interplay between rounded and angular forms that creates a captivating dynamic, almost imperceptible at first glance.

3. Textiles 

Draw inspiration from some transitional interior design you can find and restrict the selection of textiles to a cohesive palette of four to five complementary shades, each featuring distinct patterns. This approach fosters an engaging visual interplay while maintaining a sense of harmony throughout the space.

4. Accessories 

Similar to many design styles, transitional interior design offers the opportunity to highlight different eras and moments through carefully selected accessories, adding depth and richness to the space. In essence, every transitional-style home should feature accessories that exude personality and visual allure, evoking joy and excitement through the excitement of discovery.

That is all our discussion about transitional interior design! What do you think of this interior design style? Is it your preference? Consult your dream house with Livvy Luxury Living! Contact us on Whatsapp : +62 878 6894 8000 or visit us at 18 Office Park 25th floor Suite A, Jalan Simatupang Kav 18, South Jakarta.

Content Writer : Arcelia Emmanuella Adiwinata