17 transitional decor ideas for timeless and understated style

Transitional decor is like that one friend who can do it all but would never brag about it. In other words, it’s amazing, and we want to be around it all the time.

This interior design style incorporates elements of traditional design and modern design to create a look that’s timeless, understated, and elegant.

Transitional spaces feature comfy, oversized furniture, which makes them ideal for busy families and everyday living. But they also include sophisticated details — like curved lines, mixed metals, and delicate pendant lights — that look like they were stolen from a trendy boutique hotel.

Transitional style can flex to fit any lifestyle. And because it mixes pieces from different eras, it allows you to combine your family heirlooms (or thrift store finds) with more modern home decor. The result is a home design that can stand the test of time.

If you want to decorate your home in the one style that can do it all, use these decorating tips and transitional decor ideas to inspire your design.

5 tips to take on transitional decor

Because transitional interior design blends two different styles (traditional style and modern style), the risk of creating a clashing interior is higher than if you stick to one style. But with great risk comes great reward. If you get transitional design right, your home will be the picture of timeless sophistication — and you’ll have flexibility to incorporate more of the pieces you love.

Use these design tips to create a cohesive look in your transitional-style home.

1. Look for minimalist traditional elements

Traditional home decor can be very ornate with curves, scrollwork, and carved design elements fit for Marie Antoinette’s boudoir. These over-the-top details will clash with the clean lines and geometric silhouettes of modern decorating styles.

Instead, look for more understated traditional decor. Picture the furniture pieces that would have been in rural country homes in the 1700s and 1800s, not in palaces — less Baroque and rococo style, more neoclassical and French country style.

These styles of traditional interior design had more straight lines with subtler curves and ornamentation. Keep the word “understated” in mind as you shop for traditional home decor.

2. Stick to subtle colors

Neutral color palettes aren’t just for minimalist homes. Transitional interiors relied on neutrals before the word “minimalism” ever became part of the zeitgeist.

In transitional homes, neutral color palettes not only create a calming atmosphere, but they also make it easier to mix and match different pieces without them clashing. Transitional homes often embrace a greige (or grey-beige) color scheme.

These shades of grey, taupe, and tan make flexible backdrops for any home decor, which is likely why Sherwin Williams’ Top 50 Paint Colors are mostly shades of greige. You can add subtle pops of color with less expensive decor, like throw pillows, area rugs, window treatments, and wall art, and change those items out at any time to refresh the look of your room without painting or replacing your more expensive items.

Typically in transitional decor, the pops of color will still come from soft shades, like earthy greens, pinks, and blues. But more saturated jewel tones and black accents are also becoming a popular design trend for transitional interiors.

3. Keep clutter away

Because you’re mixing and matching pieces in your home, you’ll want to give each piece a chance to shine. If you pile too many pieces of decor into one room (or onto one bookshelf), you won’t be able to appreciate how they play off of one another.

Make sure to incorporate some open space into your room design, and avoid small or busy patterns. For example, you don’t typically see gallery walls in transitional spaces. You’re more likely to see one or two large pieces of wall art instead. The idea is that you want to draw the eye around the room rather than overwhelm it.

4. Consider scale

You want your transitional space to feel clutter-free but not empty. So instead of adding more furniture pieces to fill your space, choose larger pieces. Oversized sofas and chairs are common components of transitional living rooms, and they’ll make your space feel more welcoming and less stuffy than a traditional home.

But scale is relative. A sofa that looks large in one living room might look tiny in another. Make sure to measure your space and block off the area where you want each piece of furniture to go.

5. Use texture to create visual interest

All the understated elements of transitional design — from cleaner silhouettes on the furniture to neutral colors on the walls and upholstery — can make the space feel boring. But even a monochromatic room can be visually interesting if you incorporate a lot of texture.

Combine different textiles and materials to create visual depth in a simple room design. For example, you could pair a linen sofa with a velvet armchair and a chenille blanket, or style a marble countertop with leather stools, or place a wood lamp on a glass and metal side table. The combination of materials will make the space feel richly textured and inviting.

12 pieces of transitional decor to add to your home

Now that you understand the essentials of transitional decorating, get inspired to create the look in your home. These 12 pieces of transitional decor are the perfect fit. Use them to brainstorm your home design or find them at a Coaster Furniture store near you.

1. Blaine Upholstered Reversible Sectional Sofa in Sand

With a richly textured, wide corduroy upholstery in a neutral greige tone, this reversible sectional is the perfect centerpiece for your transitional living room design.

2. Eastbrook Tufted Back Sofa in Grey

For a more traditional style, the Eastbrook sofa pairs button-tufting with the straight lines of modern design, and it mixes textures with velvet upholstery and a gold metal arm base.

3. Artina Woven Rattan Round Coffee Table in Natural Brown

The earthy rattan texture and natural brown color of the Artina Coffee Table will add interest to your transitional space, while the round silhouette pairs nicely with more traditional pieces.

4. Janessa Round Glass Top Coffee Table With Acrylic Legs in Clear and Matte Brass

This round coffee table pairs matte brass metal with acrylic and glass to create an elegant yet understated look that fits perfectly in transitional decor.

5. Lucien Floor Lamp in Black

The wavy edge on the shade of this floor lamp gives a subtle nod to the curves of traditional style design, and yet the V-shaped arm has distinct mid-century modern flair. This light fixture is the perfect reading lamp for a transitional living room.

6. Kelly Rectangular Dining Table in Dark Grey

The clean lines on this rectangular dining room table are a signature element of modern design, and yet the dark wood means it will pair beautifully with the darker wood tones of traditional furniture.

7. Antoine Rectangular Dining Table in White and Chrome

With round features on the base, this transitional dining table gives a nod to traditional style without excessive ornamentation. The white and chrome will help lighten and brighten your space.

8. Ralland Upholstered Counter-Height Stools With Nailhead Trim in Beige

Add texture to your transitional kitchen by placing these counter-height stools around your kitchen island. The woven upholstery, natural wood grain, and nailhead trim all add subtle details to your design.

9. Mosby Upholstered Curved Headboard Platform Bed in White

The subtle curves of this upholstered bed give it an elegant and understated style that’s perfect for a transitional bedroom.

10. Maria Upholstered Stool in Warm Grey and Gold

This upholstered stool comes in a neutral color with elegant textures from velvet and gold metal. It’s an excellent transitional piece to add at the foot of your bed or in the entryway.

11. Alderwood 3-Drawer Nightstand in French Grey

With beautiful neoclassical details like tapered legs, an understated carved frame, and ring drawer pulls, this three-drawer nightstand is the perfect traditionally-inspired piece to add to your bedroom.

12. Lucius Drum Shade Bedside Table Lamp in White and Gold

Add a little elegance to your nightstand with this bedside table lamp. The marble and gold add rich contrasting textures, and the minimalist cylindrical shape pairs well with any decor.

Transition your home to transitional style

Furniture and home decor is an investment of both time and money. By choosing transitional decor, you can get the most out of your investment. This style ensures that your home will look as good 20 years from now as it does today.

The modern design elements will ensure your home never feels stuffy or dated the way that a fully traditional home can. But the addition of more understated traditional pieces means you can incorporate your favorite antique and vintage home decor, adding timeless elegance to your space.

Use the design ideas and tips above to start reimagining your space, or find more inspiration on Coaster Furniture.

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