Deciding on which design elements to use in your rooms can be overwhelming. A vintage chandelier is very nice, but how can it be combined with a large modern sofa? They are incompatible, so it may seem impossible. If so, you may want to learn about transitional living room styling.
The transitional style is a term used in interior design, and it refers to a style that combines traditional and modern elements in a smooth way. As the name suggests, the main idea of transitional style is to create a feeling of flow among the different design components in the room. The aim is to make a room where freshness stands out more than overwhelming accessories and ornaments. The focus is always on comfort and how everything matches with ease.
In this style, nothing should be too much. The critical point is to keep everything in a perfect balance. The contemporary and the traditional, the classic and the modern. The curves and the straight lines should always complement each other, like; keep matching a round coffee table with a sofa with clear-cut edges. While deciding on your design, think of yourself as a curator of an exhibition.
Coloring the Living Room
What we need to achieve is a simple and bright ambiance. So, the transitional style color palette fundamentally consists of natural and monochrome colors. Especially for the walls, it is better to stick with white and off-white or very light natural color shades. Flooring should also be natural, light browns. You can go for a tone-on-tone approach and create a palette with four or five tones of a particular color for the walls and furniture.
Another transitional living room color idea is to stick with natural walls but sharpen the look by using darker shades with your furniture and accessories. This is an effortless way to create depth in the space, and it is easier to apply than tone-on-tone styling.
Furniture in Transitional Style
Furniture is the most prominent part of a transitional living room. Since transitional style is a balanced mixture of opposite poles, try playing with different colors, styles, and textures in your furniture.
- Try using different materials like wood, glass, or metal. For example, combine a wooden armchair with glass and metal coffee tables.
- Mix and match different design styles. Your large and comfy sofa can go very well with a classic chandelier and a vintage mirror.
- Use darker colors to accentuate pieces. In your overall natural living room, a dark green rocker adds a lot of contrast that immediately catches the eye.
- Look for symmetry in the positioning of furniture. The symmetrical design of furniture would make your living room look fresh, simple, and minimalistic.
Fabrics for Transitional Living Room
When it comes to the fabric, there are a lot of options in a transitional design. However, it is better to keep in mind that in order to reach a simplistic and comprehensive look, one must be careful with combining. So stick with the primary patterns and do not overuse them.
You can use throw pillows, and sofa throws with basic lines on your light-colored sofas to add layering to the design. Or a traditional rug would complete the contemporary furniture with ease.
When all the textiles are the same kind, it can be tiring for the eye, even if the colors are different. So, it is good to use different textile types such as velvet, linen, wool, or leather. When mixed, they add depth to the room, and everything will look more sophisticated. You don’t want to overuse leather in your transitional living room, or it would look off-balanced.
Don’ts of a Transitional Living Room
- Do not go for dark or vibrant colors.
- Blacks, dark browns, reds, or blues easily dominate the room. Their dominance leads the design and interrupts the flowing feeling of the transitional style. If you want to add color, always prefer pastel and lighter tones.
- Do not overuse any kind of fabric, material, or pattern.
- The transitional style is all about balance and harmony. Nothing must distinguish, but everything must be an exception in the unity of the design.
- Do not overuse accessories.
- The transitional style is about minimalism, keep that in mind. You don’t want your living room to look messy. Instead, it should make one feel fresh and spacious.
