Renovating from Traditional to Transitional Design
If you have a home with traditional elements, you may be considering updating design elements of a room or the entire home to create a more transitional traditional style or living space. But when your updating traditional to transitional design, there are some tips to keep in mind. In this article, we explore these tips and ways to make the most of your new transitional design elements.
When a home has a traditional style, it can have fabrics, finishes, furniture and accessories from the 1950s to the 1970s. Many of these styles are making a comeback, but if you’re not ready to go with a Dick Van Dyke buffet table, you may want to opt for more transitional elements.
Traditional Elements of Design
While traditional elements can vary depending on the decade, there are some pretty consistent characteristics of traditional design elements, which often include:
1. Wood – Typically dark and utilizes a harmonious color or finish of wood throughout the room. Vintage and antiques are common.
2. Mill Work – Elegant, detailed, perhaps grandiose.
3. Colors – Typically dark and rich tones.
4. Accessories – more vs. less and may include patterns, metallic hits, and classic art pieces.
5. Overall design is clearly stated and prioritizes form over function.
6. Living spaces that are more segregated and provide individual rooms for specific activities or preferences.
Transitional Elements of Design
Here are some characteristics of transitional design:
1. Wood – Mixed wood tones, complimenting light and dark
2. Mill Work – Clean modern lines, some details,
3. Colors – Typically neutral colors which may be complimented by a pop of a color that is used consistently throughout the space.
4. Combining textures – hard and soft, geometric and flat.
5. Overall design is subtler and leans more contemporary and casual. Soft lines, comfortable furnishings, and elegant.
6. Living spaces are more open and allow rooms to be used for multiple purposes.
Whether you prefer traditional design or transitional design, it’s pretty easy to renovate and create an entirely new space just by re-thinking your existing space. How would you prefer to use the space? Would it be more desirable with more windows, less walls, higher ceilings?
Paint colors can also create dramatically different looks and feels in each space in your home.
Parker’s design team will work with you to evaluate your existing space to create the “best space” for your needs with a Design/Build consultation. Or, download your Free Guide to Remodeling. Get started today!
