Glossary of Terms

Transitional

Transitional interior design is a balanced blend of traditional elegance and modern simplicity, creating a harmonious style that feels both timeless and contemporary. It incorporates the warmth and familiarity of classic design elements, such as rich wood furniture and soft textures, while embracing the clean lines and neutral color palettes of modern aesthetics. The result is a style that offers the best of both worlds, allowing for a sophisticated and comfortable space that feels cohesive and polished without being overly formal or minimalist. Transitional design focuses on simplicity and refinement, avoiding the extremes of either traditional or modern styles.

The color palette in transitional interiors is typically neutral, with shades of white, gray, taupe, and beige setting the foundation for a calm and serene environment. These neutral tones allow for flexibility in decor, providing a backdrop that can easily be accented with bold or subtle colors as desired. Textures play an important role in adding depth to the space, with natural materials like wood, stone, and fabrics like linen and velvet offering a tactile richness. Furnishings in transitional design often have clean, simple silhouettes that nod to both traditional and contemporary styles, ensuring that the space feels inviting yet uncluttered.

Transitional design is ideal for those who appreciate the balance between classic and modern elements. Its emphasis on neutral tones, simple lines, and layered textures makes it a versatile choice for various types of homes, whether urban or suburban. By blending traditional charm with modern sensibility, transitional interiors offer a flexible and approachable style that can evolve with changing tastes. The result is a space that feels timeless, sophisticated, and comfortable, making it a popular choice for homeowners who want a stylish yet livable environment.


Transitional News

Latest News

On-Trend Home Designs for 2022
...e is inspiring an array of design elements this year. You may see this trend emerging through increased use of glass for light and views of nature, as well as continued focus on the versatile and transitional indoor-outdoor spaces that gained momentum during the height of the pandemic. Approaches may vary depending on the homeowner's style and climate, but examples include larger patios ...
6 Top Home Design Trends for 2019
... of interest and comfort. Live and Work If you're one of more than 3.4 million Americans working from home at least half of the time, you may require transitional spaces that accommodate both productivity and downtime. To adopt this design trend, consider the use of furniture and products that can serve multiple purposes. For example, modern ...
Living in Color
...on like Mink Gray from Wellborn Cabinet gives the feel of a much warmer space. Minimalists swoon over this classic yet clean gray because it isn't overpowering, and the timeless color adds to the transitional styling of cabinetry. It All Started with White It's true that white cabinetry set the pace for painted cabinetry, and it's likely to remain a popular option f...
New Arrivals: Capel Expands Kevin O'Brien Collection
... with a fresh twist that makes them relatable to today's lifestyles. The unifying theme is tradition with a modern spirit and relevance." Gilded Age A transitional rug design of 100% New Zealand wool constructed in Moldova on Wilton looms with a lush pile. Interpreted with a painterly hand that provides a fresh perspective on the brocade motif, ...
Living in Color
...on like Mink Gray from Wellborn Cabinet gives the feel of a much warmer space. Minimalists swoon over this classic yet clean gray because it isn't overpowering, and the timeless color adds to the transitional styling of cabinetry. It All Started with White It's true that white cabinetry set the pace for painted cabinetry, and it's likely to...
3 Kitchen and Bath Trends for 2018
...e invigorated by arranging the rectangular 3-by-6-inch shapes in patterns like herringbone or basket weave. This versatile tile can be used in both traditional kitchens and bathrooms as well as transitional or more contemporary spaces. Many manufacturers now include textured tile, featuring patterns that carry the look of wood grain; tiles are also available in three-dimens...
Material Matters
...a finish that adds dimensional character. When your kitchen requires both rich color and a rock solid design, a composite sink will deliver. An option like Kohler's Cairn sink offers a transitional style to suit contemporary and traditional kitchens alike, but it's also made of Neoroc, a matte-finish composite material designed for extreme durability and unmatched beauty. Richly col...
Simply sleek: How to create today's top shower design
..., functional space. The collection includes a variety of decorative walls, a joint system, in-wall storage, on-wall storage and seating in different styles, colors and finishes to create traditional, transitional and contemporary spaces that fit both the functionality and aesthetic needs of homeowners. Sleek shower designs may be hot, but experts predict this is one trend that is h...
4 important tips for planning a kitchen remodel
...food prep and clean-up. An LED light at the base of the faucet changes color from blue to red to alert users to the water’s temperature and avoid surprises. Beyond innovative technology, the faucet’s transitional design — inspired by the Italian countryside — works well with a variety of style preferences, creating a beautiful kitchen focal point. Quick and easy design upgr...
The evolution of kitchen design: Timeless tips through the decades
...that was once viewed as a utilitarian work-room in the back of the house, to become the centerpiece of the home. While trends come and go, history has made its mark on kitchen design. Transitional style kitchens are now the most popular, as evident in research such as the 2016 Design Trends Survey conducted by the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA). Today's designers an...
4 hot bathroom design trends that don't have to cost a bundle
...r, you don't have to spend that much to update your bathroom stylishly and easily. Here are four popular bathroom design preferences, plus tips to cost-effectively achieve these looks in your home: Transitional is trending According to a poll of remodeling professionals, the vast majority agreed that "transitional" was the most-requested style in bathroom settings. Transitional design allows yo...
Fans Get First Peek at HGTV Dream Home 2017 Located on St. Simons Island, Georgia
...e at HGTV.com/HGTVDreamHome. Interior designer Brian Patrick Flynn has restored a hidden gem into a one-of-a-kind seaside getaway with a design aesthetic that can be described as Southern Transitional. With Sea Island as the backdrop, the 1980s-built home maintains a traditional look that embodies true Southern charm with an emphasis on architecture reflective of its coastal location.<...
On-Trend Transformations/Get the hottest looks with a bathroom makeover
...ive to the pedestal sink as it lends an illusion of space while bringing expanded flooring into view. Paired with the proper cabinetry and color scheme, the floating vanity can work equally well in a transitional design. Storage solutionsFrom pull-outs, tilt-ups and roll-outs to hidden outlets, simplified storage is in big demand, according to the National Kitchen &...
5 DIY Kitchen Renovation Inspirations
...nd bring your Pinterest-worthy dream kitchen to life. Everything and the kitchen sink Farmhouse kitchens are growing in popularity, but whether you are going for a farmhouse look or something more transitional, a farmhouse sink can add character to any kitchen. Go for a classic white or find a farmhouse sink with a darker metal finish such as an antique copper single-basin for a unique touch th...
Bringing the Outside Indoors/Making Patio Space an Extension of the Home
...cts of nature into your personal space with a few simple touches. The best place for incorporating these organic elements is the space closest to your patio or outdoor space. Let this area serve as a transitional space where the outside world connects with the comforts of your interior. Here are a few tips to make your outside world an extension of your home: Choose Natural Materials For chairs...
Colorful Autumn Additions
...sive additions that brighten any tabletop or mantle. Or, place as many of these beloved squashes you can on a bale of hay outside the front door for a display the whole neighborhood can enjoy. Try transitional pieces Situated right before the busy holiday season, some fall styles can be eased into both decorating schemes. Rich, wine-colored berries and bittersweet arrangements look wonderful f...
Ten lucky home decor trends for 2013
... above cabinets. Chrome and polished nickel will appeal to the emerging "Y" generation and baby boomers modernizing their retirement homes. Tall, slender outdoor lanterns in contemporary, cottage and transitional styles will work well for those in smaller urban spaces. Heavy metal Susan Goldstick of Susan Goldstick, Inc. predicts home furnishings will also shine in 2013. New metals such as r...
A Beautiful Nursery on a Budget
... into a toddler's and then big kid's room: * Select furniture that complements the look of the rest of your home. Love traditional style? Seek out nursery collections that fit right in. Focused on a transitional look? Seek out cribs and furniture with clean lines and solid construction. * Do you love the look of rich brown furniture or are you eager to see white wood furniture against pops of p...
The Art of Fine Furniture Design
...ors. Mahogany, walnut, cherry, oak, alder and maple wood options provide unique appearances. Our in-house design schematics for traditional interiors include mahogany and walnut finishes. Though, for transitional looks, we suggest mixing it up a bit. Blending harmonized wood types in one piece creates design interest. One example is our mid-cherry wood dining table, customizable with lighter yew w...
Warm up your kitchen with cozy colors
...and rustic alder. Another warm look can be created with Montgomery, a venerable favorite shaker/cottage style door, in alder and rustic alder. These wood types not only provide a cozy look, but their transitional styles can complement a variety of design themes. Reflective accents Offset the warm tones of the wood with the gleam of reflective accents. One way to add both style and light to...
Getting the "Green Light" at Home
...ergy in their homes without sacrificing any of the benefits. One such product is the halogen light bulb. This product features many of the qualities consumers look for in light, making it the perfect transitional light source for the home. Halogen bulbs, such as SYLVANIA SUPERSAVER(r) light bulbs, are easy to find and are designed especially for those who want energy-efficient light in their h...
A New Breeze of Color for Karastan’s Classic Weaves and New Wovens with Casual Flair
... with Belize Vibrations and Agave Reflections. Libretto Libretto is a luscious woven wool loop pile that sings a tune of classic beauty with a contemporary flair. Its staggered stripe pattern is transitional and fresh; subtle layers of color add a sophisticated touch. Woven of premium, sustainable and renewable New Zealand wool, this soft carpet will provide outstanding beauty and maintain it...