Combining both traditional and modern elements, transitional interior design is for those who love to mix the best of both styles. It means you can use contemporary pieces in an old property that has authentic detailing, or use beautiful old antiques in sleek minimalist homes.
The result is an easy to live with style that allows you to fully embrace what you love without fearing it won't work. So what about color schemes? Generally speaking, more muted tones work best as a backdrop for this mixing of styles and eras, but there's always an exception to the rule and bolder choices if you aren't a lover of neutrals
We asked experts and designers for their top advice on what colors work best with transitional interior design.
10 transitional color schemes you'll love
The beauty of transitional color schemes is that the muted base palette allows you to use other colors as accents to highlight areas you love. It can also involve print and pattern. Our transitional color scheme ideas below will give you some great ideas for your space.
1. Warm red
This rich space has a lovely muddy red paint scheme with a floral wallpaper to add a decorative touch. Nether Red by Little Greene is a traditional shade with nods to the past, ensuring that the result is a warming yet offset with black and white as an accent – a truly transitional scheme.
'Transitional interiors are those that blend traditional with contemporary, creating interiors that feel surprising yet familiar in style,' says Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene. 'That might be adding a bold or unexpected color to a period property, incorporating a modern geometric wallpaper within original paneling or creating the illusion or feel of traditional architectural features in a new build home.'
2. Green and nude
Green and nude is one of those color combinations that works throughout the year, it's light and airy and contrasts perfectly.
It's a scheme that sits across both contemporary and classic interiors which makes it such a great choice for transitional spaces. Damla Turgut, founder and creative director of Otto Tiles & Design agrees, 'Green and nude is a timeless yet modern transitional color pairing that suits a variety of interior styles and rooms. In particular, the green should be on the warm side of the spectrum such as a dark leafy green, a mid-olive or soft tarragon.'
Once you've picked a green that you love, consider the nude, Damla adds, 'Paired with a neutral which also has a warm undertone you will create a color scheme that in fall/winter feels cozy and inviting and in spring sucker feels very fresh.'
3. Sky blue and a hint of lemon
Use a base of sky blue teamed with white woodwork and a big splash of lemon yellow to recreate this cheerful transitional living room. A timeless combination that will lift a dark space perfectly.
Here, a subtly textured wallpaper has been used instead of paint, it's a good alternative to a plain wall and adds a further layer of interest. There are hints of blue on the couch too – the front arms and piping around the seat. These details are key when you're creating a transitional color scheme.
4. White
Okay, so white may seem like a dull choice, but it's about creating a blank canvas for your transitional design, and there's nothing better than crisp fresh white paint to achieve that.
White is synonymous with contemporary minimalist design so it works very well in transitional style spaces. It enhances textures and highlights any color you use with it.
'Transitional, as a combination of traditional and modern style, allowed us to play around with multiple styles without focusing too much on specific rules,' explains Antonio Matrēs, founder of Antonio Matrēs Architecture & Interior Design. 'Linear furniture paired with soft statement pieces and/or woods and metals serve as a sort of historical reminder of transitional design evolution. The client’s eclectic taste was all the texture that was needed. The clean lines balanced the furniture and accessories that mirrored her personality.'
5. Earthy ochre
Shades that have a grounding nature, are more than neutrals, like ochre and turmeric are all good options for a transitional kitchen color scheme.
This color will add a glow, especially to a north-facing room, and you don't have to just use paint, it could be tiles, rugs, flooring or the ochre shade of wood, that lovely rustic element that's welcoming.
'There is nothing more appealing than a room with character and soul and this comes from having old and new,' says Helen Parker, creative director of deVOL Kitchens when talking about the timeless appeal of transitional kitchens. 'It doesn’t have to be eclectic or bohemian (but it can be) it just needs to feel as if the room has evolved and been considered, rather than everything has been chosen at the same time.'
6. Shades of gray
Gray is a fabulous shade that works for both modern and classic interior styles, so it ticks the box for transitional color schemes. This bathroom shows you how to make this color work and how to choose the right furniture and accessories.
The painted tub exterior in its darker gray creates depth whilst the floorboards and leather chaise add warmth.
7. Soft creams
Transitional color scheme ideas can be elegant and characterful, take this rustic living room as an example, with the most subtle shades of off-white and pale gray.
'Muted greens, warm browns, gentle creams, and soft greys offer a contemporary feel whilst also instilling a sense of calm due to their association with the peaceful natural environment,' advises Helen Shaw, director of marketing (international) at Benjamin Moore. 'These lighter hues balance beautifully with dark woods that are often found in more traditional paneling and vintage furniture.'
'Lighter shades also allow for contrast', Helen adds. 'These neutrals can be used from ceiling to floor or combined with crisp white woodwork for a timeless look that feels both classic and current.'
8. Black and ivory
For those who love a more dramatic look then consider black and ivory. Beautifully bold and super luxe, it's ideal if moody is a word you use to describe your interior style. And it fits perfectly with transitional schemes.
'We are big fans of interiors that blend modern and traditional styles seamlessly,' says Jamie Watkins, co-founder of Divine Savages. 'In this bedroom, the lighting plays a key role in establishing the transitional feel, while the color palette, a classic ebony and ivory scheme, enhances the overall effect and helps to create a balanced and cohesive look. The luxurious wallpaper, our Gershwing design, features a decadent, feathered Art Deco-inspired print that brings unapologetic glamour and depth to the space and the ‘Dove’ color of the paper, with its pearlized sheen, adds a subtle touch of exuberance.'
All these elements, combined with the striking light centerpiece is what pulls this stunning transitional scheme together.
9. Pops of color
Add 'new' color to your transitional living room with blocks of shades that you love. 'Bold joyous colors are a fantastic way to bring a sense of modernity to a period home,' says print designer Molly Mahon, founder of Molly Mahon.
It's not just plain color schemes that work either, you can add pattern and print. Molly adds, 'This pairing of contemporary colors and characterful patterns with soft whites and muted neutral tones to create ‘transitional' design schemes is all about blending old and new, neutral and dynamic, plain and patterned together a to add character and depth to a space.'
Use a bright couch as your starting point and layer it with pattern and color. 'Add a riot of colorful cushions to an otherwise neutral living room, adding these moments of unexpected color and pattern will bring a modern touch to a traditional setting,' suggests Molly.
10. Blush
Blush pink is a perfect color for a transitional bathroom – light enough to harness any natural light you have pouring in but with a warmth to keep you cozy during the winter months that require a cocooning feel.
Team it with a botanical wallpaper for added color and paint your tub's exterior in a darker color, could be gray like here, or a deeper shade of pink. Wood will add warmth – look for contemporary pieces like a beautifully crafted stool. Add depth with a dark pink mirror and decorative wall lights.
When transitional style is your vibe, your color scheme can be inspired by the pieces you have. It could be they're antique and decorative, so a muted gray or taupe might be a good starting point. Or you might be inspired by a contemporary mirror in a brick red that looks great with black and white. Always with color schemes, it's about choosing shades that fill you up and enhance the space you're decorating.
