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Transitional Design: 5 Tips to get Started

Looking to incorporate a timeless yet personal look into your home design? A transitional-style space is the perfect fit for you! Evoking a warm, comfy feeling by mixing the old with the new, transitional design maintains a clean aesthetic while still feeling like home. Keep reading to learn about my 5 favorite tips from Eratage Interiors lead designer Sarah Patch to help you pick out a color palette, lighting, furniture, and decor with transitional design in mind! Struggling to find pieces that match this style? Read to the very end to find a list of some of my favorite places to shop at when designing a transitional-style home. 



  1. Color palette: enjoy timeless earth tones

Elegant earth tones in a transitional design dining room

Transitional design is a crowd favorite for being a clean yet comfortable style. Earth tones, such as earthy greens, subtle blues, rusty oranges and warm browns work great in transitional spaces! These colors can easily warm up a room while still maintaining that timeless look. Starting with a soft, neutral white or beige on the walls creates a soothing backdrop that allows the earthy pops of color to bring life to your space without dating it.



  1. Lighting: incorporate modern fixtures


Modern lighting in a transitional design kitchen

Lighting is a great way to update a space while still maintaining a homey quality. Choose light fixtures with clean lines that aren’t too intricate in order to complement a transitional space. Simple and sleek modern lighting can create a harmonious balance when styled with more ornate vintage pieces. This will give you more room to experiment with the personal touches you want to include in your home design.



  1. Furniture: mix the old with the new


    Mixing old with new in a transitional design living room

    When it comes to furniture, this is the perfect chance to mix and match! Incorporate sleek, modern pieces with other pieces that have a more vintage charm. In the Eratage Interiors Heirloom Filled Remodel Project, lead designer Sarah Patch chose to go with a more simple, modern couch and armchair. However, she decided to keep and revamp the client’s vintage corner bookshelves instead of getting newer ones.


    Keeping those pieces as a part of this design was not only important to the client, but also elevated the space! By finding a balance between modern and traditional furniture (even some pieces you might already have!), you can easily upgrade your home with that transitional-style flare—and maybe save some money while you're at it!



  1. Decor: Let your personal items shine!


    Heirloom china featured in a transitional design home

    The best part about giving a home a transitional design makeover is that this style is so personal! The warm, neutral, airy color palette creates a serene atmosphere that will allow your keepsakes, heirlooms, and knick-knacks to shine. This is your chance to show off whatever makes you, you! Whether it’s an heirloom china set, your favorite books, a board game the family loves, or even a cheap knick-knack you bought while traveling—make it a statement piece in your home!


    Anything that is special to you has a place in a transitional home. And, since you have created such a serene environment with your color palette and lighting, all of these personal items can become something that enhances your home instead of cluttering it. The personal touches—whether sentimental or whimsical—are where the magic of transitional design comes to life.


  1. Where should you shop for transitional design?

    Ruggable rug used in transitional design home remodel

    • Local vintage or antique shops are a great place to get started if you are looking for some older pieces to bring a little extra vintage life to your transitional home! Check out our list of favorite local stores on our referral program page

    • CB2 and West Elm are great places to buy modern lighting to elevate your spaces!

    • Retailers like Ruggable, H&M Home and Anthropologie offer beautiful home decor collections featuring William Morris designs, making it easy to weave vintage-inspired patterns into modern interiors. The rug in this space is part of Ruggable’s collaboration and it pulled everything together perfectly.

    • Rejuvenation is a go-to brand for transitional style home decor, offering everything from cabinet hardware and furniture to authentic vintage finds.

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