What is Transitional Design?

What is transitional style? Quite simply, it’s a design aesthetic that combines traditional and modern elements. It’s become more and more of a crowd-pleaser with its ability to add a touch of class to any room without feeling stuffy or dated. It focuses on the balance between sophistication and comfort—one of our core Saguaro West beliefs: that your home can be both beautiful and curated as well as practical and livable.

Another reason why we love it? It’s the perfect way to showcase various materials, finishes, textiles, and furniture in one room. For example, a transitional interior might feature an overstuffed, deep-seated couch, modern throw pillows, and a Victorian-inspired chandelier overhead. Off-white linen curtains lend a touch of polish to the overall look as well. A space that might feel dated and underwhelming can be transformed with a sense of sophistication with simple lines and crisp angles of modern furniture. On the flip side, a space that might seem cold or bare can benefit from rich textures, muted colors, and careful pattern placement.

However, there’s more to a well-designed transitional space than just picking out random pieces from the two styles. A well-thought-out approach to decorating is also important to ensure the room is well-designed.

The concept of transitional style is simple to follow. One of the easiest ways to achieve this look is by starting with a piece you already have. For instance, if you have a family heirloom, you can easily start with a piece that has been passed down to you. Striking that balance between the present (more contemporary pieces) and the past is very important to mastering this style.

Start traditional and pull in accents from different areas.

Still not sure where to start? Start with a neutral color palette. Neutrality allows you to create a calm and relaxing atmosphere, balancing a variety of dark and light colors.

Let your design start with a neutral canvas and then incorporate colors, layers, textures, and pieces that have been thoughtfully selected. Not sure what colors to add? Look towards traditional design with a mix of rich blues, heavy patterns, and mahogany woods. Lighter contemporary colors will help strike a balance. Think soft, muted, and neutral.

Those swoon-worthy sofas and sectionals you see all over the place? Large-scaled pieces like this, along with overstuffed chairs, feel right at home with the creamy and textured neutral fabrics. Also, by using glass and metal, you can achieve a clean and balanced look.

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When designing a bedroom, add creamy textures with an upholstered bed, cotton and linen bedding, or even the perfect white paint color. Add interest and depth by combining European and standard pillows, unique pieces of artwork, or even an antique lamp. The mixture gives the room a feeling of abundance and luxury.

Traditional furniture often has a lot of visual weight, making it look bulky. This is a key player in your overall aesthetic. Instead of filling your space completely with bulky pieces, try investing in sleek modern pieces that feature low-profile silhouettes and skinny legs. They’ll add balance to your space and can make your purchases more affordable.

How about a dining room? When choosing a piece of furniture, we usually pay attention to its materials and appearance. However, one important aspect that we should take a moment to consider is its legs. Bulky or “turned” legs feel more traditional, while sleek, straight furniture legs feel more modern. Mix a sleek dining chair with a more traditional silhouetted dining table or sideboard. If you're planning on pairing a piece with a different style, make sure both are balanced.

Although modern and traditional designs don't have much in common, there is one material that can complement both styles: leather. For example, a modern leather chair can read both traditional and contemporary styles, while a leather ottoman can do the same.

Edit down your accessories to achieve the right balance between sleek modernity and traditional sophistication. Don’t clutter the room with all the pieces you can find. Instead, choose your decorative accents carefully.

As you create a transitional interior, it’s important to avoid getting carried away by the idea of having a perfect 50/50 balance between traditional and contemporary styles. Instead, remember that the key to creating a balanced space is to keep the big picture in mind. Having the right balance between the two is also essential to ensure that your home looks its best.

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@heidicaillierdesign