When it comes to interior design, adventurous homeowners might want to marry two themes, forming one cohesive theme. The good news is, it is not impossible at all! If you want to blend two design themes, you are basically implementing a transitional design.
For starters, transitional design is a reflection of a space’s merging of modern and traditional elements. Though in some cases, interior designers can combine two disparate themes. Don’t confuse this with eclectic design, in which the boundaries between themes are obvious; transitional designs seamlessly blend the themes resulting in a clean room with inspired details and appeal.
Whether you are renovating your bedroom or remodeling your kitchen, you can incorporate transitional design through the following tips:
Start with the color palette
A common denominator among varieties of transitional design is the color. When it comes to this, it will always be your best choice to follow the traditional palette, which is neutral. If you want to integrate some touch of minimalism, white makes a great pick. But if you want to add character, it does not hurt to go for grey, beige, and sand. Almost-neutral shades, such as creamy yellows or pastel yellows in pale, suit homeowners with daring tastes.
Accentuate the space with colorful fixtures
Because the overall palette is in a neutral hue, you can make the space much more interesting by adding pops of colors. You can do that by bringing in furniture pieces and fixtures that have a contrasting color or shade. For instance, you can have a red sofa in the living room. You can pick curtains that are brown, grey, or black. The contrast creates a tension that makes the space much more interesting. Other than integrating pops of colors, you can use textures as a point for the push-pull dynamics. If the sofa is in velvet, you can pick drapes that are in silk or lace.
Liven up your traditional furniture
You might decide to bring in traditional furniture pieces – the ones that are plush and utilizing elaborate curves and patterns. But you can always modernize them by changing some details. For instance, your chairs might feature a patterned fabric that is colored brightly. The oak table in your dining area might also don a neutral color (black or grey) instead of the traditional brown.
Install art
Art pieces are also among the characteristic features of transitional design. In this department, you can either go for contemporary or post-modern pieces. For instance, you can have a triptych of abstract painting in your living room. A sculpture will also make a good choice. Another great idea is creating a collage or collection of pictures of your family and friends set in black and white.
Seek the help of an interior designer
For those implementing transitional design for the first time, it can be quite stressful; you fear that your efforts will end up being a mess. If this is your constant worry, it would be wise to work with an experienced interior designer. It will be worth it!