Transitional design style combines the new and the old and results in an interior that’s equal part elegant, relaxing and practical.
There are several things to pay attention to in order to design yourself the best transitional living room.
I’ve collected 32 ideas to inspire your renovation, as well as a few tips to keep in mind.
1. Quality Materials
From textiles to hardware, for a good transitional look, make sure you’re working with quality materials.
This design style is all about merging two different concepts. If done cheaply it bears the risk of not working out.
2. Gentle Colors
Though an occasional bold streak won’t do any harm, it’s imperative that you stick to neutrals for transitional style.
They create a fine neutral ground for the traditional and the modern to seamlessly blend together.
3. Warm Lighting
Transitional interiors are known to be cozy.
Make sure to use anything at your disposal to create a warm ambiance. Various lighting solutions come in especially handy here.
4. Elegant Chandeliers
Large, elegant chandeliers are often used as the focal point of transitional living rooms.
They tend to stay on the traditional side, though an occasional modern chandelier is nothing to frown at.
Remember, it’s all about balancing out the old and the new with this design style.
5. Plenty of Sunlight
Large windows that allow in plenty of natural light are more or less a staple of this design style.
It’s imperative that you don’t stifle the room by robbing it of natural light.
6. Mixed Furniture Styles
Try to create a fun blend of traditional and modern furniture styles for the best outcome.
7. Timeless Accents
Brass finishes are absolutely timeless, and they’re welcome in almost any design style.
Enrich your transitional living room with brass accents to promote that traditional side of things.
8. Lean Towards One Side…
Who says you can’t lean just a little bit more toward the traditional design while readying your transitional living room?
9. …Or the Other
Of course, the same goes in case you prefer your interior to lean a little more towards the modern.
Use old-fashioned and timeless accents to keep it transitional, and otherwise, keep it modern for the most part.
10. Bordering On Rustic
Rustic elements work wonderfully with the transitional style.
Combine pastoral elements with new-age shapes and decor. Keep the color palette neutral for an effortless look!
11. Modern Art Accents
The easiest way to achieve a transitional look in your interior is to incorporate the right kind of artistic decor.
If you’d like to give your modern living room a bit more warmth, add a classic painting into the mix.
And if you’d rather provide your traditional space with a little edge, modern art has you covered.
12. Transitional Traces
Transitional doesn’t mean that you must go all out to blend traditional and modern elements.
You may as well leave your furniture alone, and use small but meaningful accents to achieve the transitional effect.
A cubist painting or a modern throw pillow may be all you need.
13. Importance of Drapes
Curtains and drapes make the room appear warmer and richer.
Make sure to get quality curtains that won’t entirely block natural light, and when you don’t need your drapes, keep them secured with tiebacks.
14. Grandeur In the Architecture
Wall paneling, styrofoam accents, and decorated ceilings are very important for these living rooms.
They’re a sure way to nail down the traditional side of it.
15. Woodwork
Quality woodwork is important not only because of the aesthetic but for practical reasons as well.
16. Harmony of the Space
Make sure to keep the space symmetrical.
And if you’re after real harmony, keep the traditional-to-modern ratio approximately equal.
17. Patterned Rugs
Patterned rugs offer a traditional vibe and they’re also currently trending.
The rug is a great way to provide your interior with the necessary homey warmth, and it’s also a great traditional touch to balance out your modern elements.
18. Accent Pillows
If you wish to add some boldness to the neutral transitional living room, get yourself colorful throw pillows.
They make a great accent and are also easy and cost-effective to change later on.
19. Tall Ceiling Effect
Use various elements such as the curtains and wall design to achieve the apparition of the tall ceiling – unless you can have the real thing.
These ceilings help unclutter the space and are also quite elegant.
20. Peaceful Vibes
Incorporate boho elements into the transitional design to achieve a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.
21. Windows With a Grid
This particular type of window is quite popular in transitional interiors.
They provide the space with a touch of the Colonial style.
22. Polished Style
For a polished look, find the golden middle between traditional matte finishes and the high shine that’s currently popular.
Shiny floors and metallic accents are a quick way to achieve this.
23. Bold Architecture
The colors are supposed to be soft, and the furniture would also ideally promote softness in the transitional living room.
If any part of the interior should be bold, let it be the architecture. Introduce strong details, columns, and plenty of texture for the best effect.
24. Delicate Fabrics
Not only the color but the materials your furniture is made of ought to be delicate and gentle.
25. Moody Ambiance
If you opt to introduce darker shades into the design of your living room, use them to create a moody ambiance.
26. A Touch of Contemporary
Make your transitional living room interesting with various contemporary elements.
27. Classic Fireplace
Though Napoleon fireplaces are nothing to frown at no matter the style you’re trying to promote, the majority of transitional spaces contain the trusty, traditional fireplace.
28. Organic Elements
You want to ennoble your transitional interior with some genuine organic pieces.
Stick to the furniture made of stone, wood, leather, and so on.
29. Strong Decor
While the overall interior and its predominant palette tend to be neutral, there’s no rule that says you can’t go bold with the decor.
Incorporate a striking piece of art or trinket that’s going to give your space a little flamboyance.
30. Luxury Lamps
Luxury lamps are a great and above all stylish way to promote whichever style you like.
If your transitional living room lacks traditionality to be just perfect, get a classic table lamp. If it lacks some modernity, there are various shapes and designs to choose from, too.
31. Metallic Finishes
All things metallic are a staple of modern design.
Add some of these elements to your transitional interior for balance.
32. Mixed Textiles
Mix your patterns and fabrics to highlight the eclecticism of the transitional design style.
In Conclusion
The beauty of the transitional interior design style is that it grants you much more freedom when choosing furniture and decor.
If a trendy glass coffee table catches your eye, but you already have a vintage sofa at home – guess what? It doesn’t matter. You’re free to combine anything you like.
The main trick is to be moderate and watch out for the general harmony of the space.