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Kitchen Workbook: 8 Elements of a Transitional Kitchen
With a mixture of traditional charm and contemporary chic, transitional kitchens strike just the right balance in your home
Houzz Contributor. Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating media and immediately discovered a new passion. An Atlanta native, I spent several years as an editor for Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine before making the leap to national publications and websites such as Houzz, Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Accents. I live in Birmingham, Alabama, with my husband and son, who’ve gotten used to coming home and finding the furniture rearranged. When I'm not dragging case goods across the floor, I enjoy good food and wine, college football, music of all kinds, and traveling.
Houzz Contributor. Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating... More »
Think of a transitional kitchen as the great moderator. With the warmth and welcome of traditional design and the clean, simple lines of contemporary style, transitional spaces project balance and harmony. Because they offer a great deal of flexibility, they're a great choice for homeowners who don't want to confine themselves to a single style or whose taste spans the two. Browse these photos of transitional kitchens for ideas on pulling off the look.
More kitchen styles:
Classic | Traditional | Modern | Contemporary | Eclectic | Cottage | Craftsman | Mediterranean
More kitchen styles:
Classic | Traditional | Modern | Contemporary | Eclectic | Cottage | Craftsman | Mediterranean
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by Fiorella Design
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| 1. Crisp cabinetry. Cabinets in a transitional kitchen have a streamlined profile that falls just short of modern. Generally made of wood rather than a contemporary material such as lacquer, they sport simple paneled doors and sleek hardware. |
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| 2. Natural surfaces. Granite, marble, limestone and other natural countertop and flooring materials are versatile enough to fit into either traditional or contemporary style. So it makes sense that they're a perfect fit for transitional kitchens. Just steer clear of elaborate edge treatments on countertops or other flourishes that would look too ornate. Learn more about choosing a countertop material |
| 3. Streamlined tile. Transitional kitchens often interpret traditional tile in a new way. For example, this backsplash features classic tumbled tiles stacked in a grid, rather than in a more conventional offset or basket-weave pattern. |
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4. Simple accents. Accessorizing in a transitional kitchen is minimal — note the pared-down pottery collection and deconstructed floral arrangement in this space. Avoid fussy displays and clutter, and keep patterns simple and graphic.
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| 5. Natural materials against manufactured ones. A stainless steel range hood gleams against the wood cabinets and marble backsplash in this space. Mixing the organic and the man-made is a cornerstone of transitional design. |
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by Kitchens.com
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| 6. Neutral colors. Transitional rooms rarely have strong, punchy palettes. Instead, they layer neutrals for a clean and monochromatic, yet still warm, effect. A dash of bold color here and there isn't verboten, but keep it to a minimum. |
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7. Lots of texture. Due to their neutral palette, transitional kitchens usually feature textural elements that add visual spark. The tile backsplash in this space extends up the wall for a sense of motion and a tactile feel.
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8. A touch of embellishment. Part of what separates transitional kitchens from contemporary ones is that they allow for just a hint of decorative ornamentation. Millwork, corbels, windows, furnishings and more bridge the gap between fancy and plain. Don't go overboard, though, or the look will read as more traditional than you intend.
In this series:
How to Remodel Your Kitchen
Find Your Kitchen Style
In this series:
How to Remodel Your Kitchen
Find Your Kitchen Style
Comments
embracegrace What a great idea book! Now where was it a year ago when we started building our house? We were midway through selections when we realized we were creating a transitional kitchen. This is such a helpful guide for others who like the look but can't quite pinpoint what makes the style unique. Thank you! (If you want to see how our kitchen turned out, visit our blog: http://dejongdreamhouse.blogspot.com/2012/04/introducingour-dream-kitchen.html)
14 months ago · Like
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Michael Robert Construction We have a transitional kitchen as well. When we posted the project here on houzz, we were forced to choose to list it as either traditional or contemporary. Houzz needs a transitional category, don't you think?
13 months ago · Like
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gvkc I find the best cross-over cabinet style is Shaker, natural or painted.
13 months ago · Like
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amyforsyth Embracegrace we have chosen the same paint color for our kitchen as you used. It was great to see how it looks in a real room. I love the transitional style.
2 days ago · Like
Ideabook updated on May 6, 2012.
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