Mastering transitional interior design in the bedroom

Good news, home decorators! The fight between traditional and modern style is over – transitional interior design is here to bring the two worlds together in one stylish package. 

With so many different design styles out there, as well as new interior styles popping up every year, it can be overwhelming to keep up with trends. So, for those who prefer a more traditional look with a modern edge, the transitional interior design trend could be for you.  

Transitional interior design is when two worlds become one; blending both classic and contemporary decor and furniture. The result? A super stylish space that reflects timeless aesthetics, whilst still feeling current. If you’ve ever felt that the era of your home and your taste in interiors don’t align, this trend will help you create cohesion without compromising your style. 

In this blog, we’ll delve deeper into the meaning of transitional design and share our top tips on how to embrace this blended design technique in your bedroom.   

Transitional interior design is most often described as a mix of traditional and modern designs. Typically, a room will be rooted in traditional aesthetics, with splashes of contemporary pieces to give it an updated look and feel. Think of it as classic, reinvented.  

This living room is an excellent example of transitional design – notice the ornate cornice and wall panelling details, contrasted with the chic plush sofa and cushions with contemporary curved edges. 

This everlasting technique is a great way to take signature pieces from different design styles, blending the old and new, to curate something deeply personal and uniquely yours. It’s also ideal for those looking to update a space without undergoing a huge renovation task; simply select the elements of your bedroom that you want to keep the same and freshen them up with a few small changes.  

The key characteristics of transitional interior design

If you’re looking for some key characteristics of transitional interior design, think clean lines, neutral colours, and a mix of classic and contemporary decor and furniture. You’re likely to see a mixture of contrasting textures and materials, from vintage wooden wardrobes to sleek, leather bed frames. It’s less about what you have, and more about how you curate it.  

Unlike most design trends, transitional designs can’t be pinpointed to one exact timestamp. For example, most people would associate mid-century modern designs with the 1960s, or when minimalism is mentioned, people instantly think of the ‘90s. Instead, transitional designs in the home can incorporate a whole century of different time periods, making it far more versatile and ever evolving.   

Whilst there isn’t a set rulebook, the key point of difference is that transitional bedroom design harmoniously blends influences from both modern interior designs and traditional styles. It’s a seamless mixture of the old and the new.  

Now let’s look at some examples of how to create a stylish, personalised transitional bedroom that reflects both contemporary and timeless aesthetics… 

Furniture

The best place to start is with the focal point of your room: your bed. Think about what kind of statement you want to make with your bed and try styling it with contrasting accents and accessories. For example, if you want to opt for a more traditional-looking, ornate bed, such as our Hatti metal bed frame, try dressing it in contemporary bed sheets with a funky pattern. Alternatively, you could take a more modern bed frame, such as the House Beautiful Chloe ottoman, and dress it in floral, frilly bed sheets for a cute, cottagecore look.  

You may also want to experiment with your other furniture, such as wardrobes, chests of drawers, bedside tables and dressers. We love a 1960s-inspired mid-century modern cabinet in a bedroom. Not only is it great for storage, or even as a TV stand, it’s a great signature retro piece that can add some character to a room with lots of contemporary elements.  

If you’ve already got a lot of traditional furniture in your bedroom, why not add a statement contemporary glass shelving unit or a sleek, armchair in the corner? This will instantly revive your space and create a transitional look.  

Textiles and texture

As we’ve established, the key to mastering transitional interior design is by mixing classic and modern styles together. With this in mind, you’re probably going to have a lot of different materials and textures in the mix. And that’s okay! Having multiple textiles in one room will actually help to calm the ambience, making it feel warm and cosy. 

If you want to add a dose of rustic charm to your bedroom, consider using organic materials such as bamboo, rattan, wicker and macramé. If you need help with what’s considered as a ‘modern’ material, look to the minimalist design trend; think sleek lines, crisp cotton bed sheets and lightweight throws.  

Colour palette

Since transitional design is all about mixing different styles, you’re likely going to be working with lots of varied materials and textures. To prevent your room from looking too mismatched, it’s a good idea to have one common theme that ties everything together. An easy way to do this is through your colour palette.  

We’d suggest keeping things cohesive and using neutral colours to ensure all your furniture, soft furnishings, walls and flooring harmoniously blend together. Neutral tones such as beige, cream, and grey are all very calming shades, making them ideal for a relaxing bedroom space.  

Psst! Not convinced on a neutral colour scheme? We’ve got plenty more inspiration over on our colour hub. 

Decor and accessories

Switching up your accessories is a great way to inject some personality into your sleeping space, and an even easier way to give your bedroom a makeover, without a huge design overhaul. To spark some inspiration, here are some of our favourite traditional and contemporary accessories… 

Having the best of both worlds has never been easier than with transitional interior design. Now, you can keep special, traditional pieces in your space, whilst introducing newer, modern decor to create a bedroom with a unique and timeless feel.