Transitional Bedroom Design

Transitional interiors shift through time, harmoniously transporting you through contemporary and period eras by blending old and new.

A beautiful blend of traditional and modern styles, creating a timeless and sophisticated aesthetic. It strikes a balance between the clean lines and sleek silhouettes of modern design with the warmth and character of traditional elements.

While similar to eclecticism, transitional design has cleaner lines, sleeker profiles, and a more modern aesthetic.

The eclectic design blends elements from various styles and eras, while transitional design sticks to two periods – the modern-day and the 1930s. This complementary combination creates a balanced, homely space brimming with character.

The principles of transitional bedroom design

The transitional design uses 60-70% modern elements (e.g., minimalism, raw materials) and 30-40% period elements (e.g., striking colours, bold geometrics).

The ‘transition’ from modern to old is achieved with colours, textures, and shapes, usually by leading the eye vertically across the room.

• Neutral colour palette: A neutral colour palette, such as beige, grey, or white, forms the foundation of the design. This creates a serene and calming atmosphere, while also providing a versatile backdrop for pops of colour and pattern.
• Mix of textures: Transitional design embraces a variety of textures, such as wood, metal, fabric, and glass. This adds visual interest and depth to the space.
• Classic furniture with modern accents: The furniture pieces in a transitional bedroom are typically classic and timeless but with modern accents. For example, you might have a traditional wingback bed with a clean-lined nightstand.
• Layered lighting: Layering lighting is essential in transitional design. This creates a warm and inviting atmosphere and also helps to highlight different areas of the room.
• Artwork and accessories: Artwork and accessories are a great way to personalize your transitional bedroom. Choose pieces that reflect your taste and style, and that complement the overall design of the room.

The role of Art Deco and minimalism

Transitional interiors take period design inspiration from the 1930s, including the dominant style of the time – Art Deco.

Art Deco developed a significant style in Western Europe and the United States during the 1930s. We’ve covered how to get Art Deco style before, but transitional interiors tone it down with a massive dose of minimalism.

Minimalism uses open space and functional features to create simple, elegant rooms. Art Deco is the opposite – a bold, standout style that demands attention. Combining the two with a heavy weighting to minimalism creates a transition.

Transition is the way a space moves the eye between eras. Bold features should capture your vision and roll over to elegant, modern features.

How to nail transitional bedroom ideas

Now that you know transitional design principles and must-have style elements, you can start planning your bedroom like a professional.

Here’s what you need:

Modern bed frame

Transitional design leans more heavily on the modern style, so we recommend choosing a modern bed frame. The Time Living City is a beautiful black bed frame, or you might prefer a sleek wooden bed frame like the Edge Tour Low.

Another option is a fabric upholstered bed like the Birlea Berlin. However, our favourite bed for transitional design is the LPD Willow, which has a modern grey velvet finish and a scalloped headboard that harkens back to the 1930s.

80% monochrome colour palette

Next, you need a monochrome colour palette to make up 80% of your bedroom – this will cover all your walls except a feature wall.

Monochrome colour palettes combine multiple shades and tones from one colour group. In this case, the colour group is grey. You can go as dark or light as you like, although we recommend a light neutral colour scheme for airiness.

20% bold colours

You need two or three bold colours to make up 20% of your bedroom. Examples include bright orange, midnight blue, and lime green.

The purpose of bold colours is to give your bedroom a period/retro feel that combines beautifully with modern, monochrome colours. An 80-20% ratio ensures that your period features don’t stand out too much.

Combine patterns and textures, transitional bedroom decorating ideas

It would help if you combined modern and period patterns and textures to create a bedroom that feels open, airy, and homely.

Our favourite way is to pair every old pattern with a modern texture/pattern. For example, your curtains might have floral designs, while your blinds might be silver. Or, your bed frame might be ornate black metal, and your bedding might have geometric stripes.

Mix up lighting (fixtures and colours)

Transitional interiors turn ceiling lights and fixtures into features. Looking for fixtures that stand out, like glass chandeliers, Art Deco lamps, and multi-colour spotlights to highlight artwork and attractive furniture pieces would be best.

You can also mix up warm and cool temperature light bulbs, creating a balance between soft yellow light and crisp, clinical white light.

If you're looking for a bedroom design that is both stylish and timeless, transitional design is a great option. It's versatile and can be adapted to fit any taste or budget.

Related pages

• Bedroom Design Trends 2022, Be Inspired, and get the WOW.
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