Your Guide to a Transitional-Style Kitchen
See the key elements, palettes, fixtures and finishing touches that pros use to get this popular look
Laura Gaskill
August 3, 2019
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance checklist. My favorite pieces to write center around the emotional aspects of home and savoring life's simple pleasures. Decluttering course + discount for Houzzers: https://www.lauragaskill.com/welcome-houzzers
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance... More
Whether you’re tackling a kitchen remodel with the help of a kitchen designer, architect or contractor, being able to pin down your favorite style will help get your project off to a smooth start. If your style falls in the happy medium between traditional and contemporary, then transitional style may be right in your decorating comfort zone. Read on for the need-to-know details about this popular kitchen style, including key elements, color palettes, fixtures and finishing touches.
Transitional-Style Kitchens at a Glance
Transitional kitchens gracefully walk the line between traditional and contemporary, with just enough detailing to please folks in both design camps.
See more of this transitional-style kitchen remodel
Transitional kitchens gracefully walk the line between traditional and contemporary, with just enough detailing to please folks in both design camps.
See more of this transitional-style kitchen remodel
Here are some common elements to look for:
- Shaker-style cabinet fronts with sleek hardware
- Natural countertop materials such as marble and quartz
- A neutral backsplash of subway tile, mosaic tile or continuation of countertop material
- Wood in elements such as flooring, butcher block and furnishings
- A hint of embellishment in the form of corbels and millwork
What You Won’t Find in Transitional Kitchens
While there are elements of both traditional and contemporary styles present, transitional kitchens don’t veer too far in either direction. Here’s what you won’t see:
While there are elements of both traditional and contemporary styles present, transitional kitchens don’t veer too far in either direction. Here’s what you won’t see:
- Highly embellished millwork
- A bright, bold color palette
- Envelope-pushing trends
- Elaborate edge treatments on countertops
- Heavy, traditional furnishings
Serene Color Palette
In transitional kitchens, neutrals are key in creating a serene space. Whether you opt for cool or warm hues, the colors tend to be soft and subtle. For a richer look, consider deep blue or gray cabinetry.
Colors for transitional kitchens:
In transitional kitchens, neutrals are key in creating a serene space. Whether you opt for cool or warm hues, the colors tend to be soft and subtle. For a richer look, consider deep blue or gray cabinetry.
Colors for transitional kitchens:
- Soft neutrals. Cream, beige, taupe, chocolate, dove gray, silver, snow white
- Serene hues. Misty blue, dusty rose, blue-gray, soft sage green
- Rich cabinetry colors. Navy, charcoal, slate, deep green
Shaker-Style Cabinetry
Not as minimalist as flat-panel cabinets or as embellished as raised-panel designs, Shaker-style cabinets have a graceful simplicity that’s well-suited to transitional style. Cabinets are often painted white, soft gray or two tones for a more striking contrast — like the white upper and blue lower cabinets seen in this space from SF Design Build. Cabinet hardware tends to be sleek and simple, and can be nickel, chrome, brass or a mix of metal finishes.
Find a kitchen cabinet maker
Not as minimalist as flat-panel cabinets or as embellished as raised-panel designs, Shaker-style cabinets have a graceful simplicity that’s well-suited to transitional style. Cabinets are often painted white, soft gray or two tones for a more striking contrast — like the white upper and blue lower cabinets seen in this space from SF Design Build. Cabinet hardware tends to be sleek and simple, and can be nickel, chrome, brass or a mix of metal finishes.
Find a kitchen cabinet maker
Farmhouse Sink
An apron-front farmhouse sink, whether paired with a classic bridge faucet or a more streamlined modern design, can be a good way to bring a dash of tradition and charm to a transitional kitchen. Don’t want to go the farmhouse route? A sleek undermount sink is a popular choice as well.
Browse kitchen sinks and faucets
An apron-front farmhouse sink, whether paired with a classic bridge faucet or a more streamlined modern design, can be a good way to bring a dash of tradition and charm to a transitional kitchen. Don’t want to go the farmhouse route? A sleek undermount sink is a popular choice as well.
Browse kitchen sinks and faucets
Elegant Stone Counters
Stone counters can make a beautiful focal point in a transitional-style kitchen, especially when they take the form of a dramatic waterfall countertop like the one seen here from Breeze Giannasio Interiors. Light-hued stone such as marble and quartz work well. Light-colored granite or engineered quartz are also good options, offering easier-care, nonporous surfaces.
Find countertop pros in your area on Houzz
Stone counters can make a beautiful focal point in a transitional-style kitchen, especially when they take the form of a dramatic waterfall countertop like the one seen here from Breeze Giannasio Interiors. Light-hued stone such as marble and quartz work well. Light-colored granite or engineered quartz are also good options, offering easier-care, nonporous surfaces.
Find countertop pros in your area on Houzz
Design Detail: Subway Tile
Crisp, clean and classic, it’s no wonder white subway tile is a popular choice for transitional kitchens — this tile bridges the gap between traditional and contemporary with ease. As an alternative to the traditional brick-like stacked pattern, consider applying subway tile vertically, in a herringbone pattern or in a less common size or shape for a twist.
Find subway tile in the Houzz Shop
Crisp, clean and classic, it’s no wonder white subway tile is a popular choice for transitional kitchens — this tile bridges the gap between traditional and contemporary with ease. As an alternative to the traditional brick-like stacked pattern, consider applying subway tile vertically, in a herringbone pattern or in a less common size or shape for a twist.
Find subway tile in the Houzz Shop
Design Detail: Stone Slab Backsplash
Subway tile is popular for good reason, but if you opt for stone counters, it might be worth considering continuing the stone up the wall instead. A light-hued stone backsplash (like the engineered quartz shown here) is elegant, long-lasting and sure to be a focal point of the space.
Why You Should Embrace a Solid Slab Backsplash
Subway tile is popular for good reason, but if you opt for stone counters, it might be worth considering continuing the stone up the wall instead. A light-hued stone backsplash (like the engineered quartz shown here) is elegant, long-lasting and sure to be a focal point of the space.
Why You Should Embrace a Solid Slab Backsplash
Design Detail: Pendant Lighting
Look for kitchen island lighting that makes a statement with bold shapes. Cone-shaped, stainless steel, glass, schoolhouse-inspired metal and sleek lanterns all work well in a transitional kitchen.
Browse transitional-style kitchen island lighting
Look for kitchen island lighting that makes a statement with bold shapes. Cone-shaped, stainless steel, glass, schoolhouse-inspired metal and sleek lanterns all work well in a transitional kitchen.
Browse transitional-style kitchen island lighting
Finishing Touches
Transitional-style kitchens aren’t as spare as contemporary kitchens, but they still have a streamlined look. Add just a few carefully considered finishing touches such as modern counter stools, open shelving, a warm traditional rug and natural wood accents to strike the right balance.
Transitional-style kitchens aren’t as spare as contemporary kitchens, but they still have a streamlined look. Add just a few carefully considered finishing touches such as modern counter stools, open shelving, a warm traditional rug and natural wood accents to strike the right balance.
Your turn: Are you a fan of transitional style? Describe or show us your favorite transitional-style kitchen in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Your Guide to Transitional Style
Browse photos of transitional-style kitchens for inspiration
Find a kitchen designer to get your project started
Shop for transitional kitchen products
More on Houzz
Your Guide to Transitional Style
Browse photos of transitional-style kitchens for inspiration
Find a kitchen designer to get your project started
Shop for transitional kitchen products
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I guess our renovation of our 1960's kitchen last year was transitional, though I hadn't labeled it. I just knew what I wanted:
-solid wood shaker style doors (ordered from cabinetdoorworld.com) to replace the existing 1960's flat plywood doors.
- white quartz countertop (the priciest part of the renovation)
- a backsplash of porcelain wood-look tiles (basically made for flooring but we loved the beachy look it gave us)
Backsplash close up below
I painted the cabinet doors and boxes the palest blue I could find as I love blue, but you can only tell the color against the white ceiling or appliances.
We'll probably be putting the house on the market in the next few years as we move into our retirement and will be looking for a main floor master suite as we age.
This renovation cost us about $6,000, as we did a lot via DIY: painting cabinets & doors, installing ourselves, we tore out the old backsplash ourselves and installed the new one. The only thing we didn't DIY was the measuring and installation of the white quartz countertop, plumbing and electrical.
In our 1960s neighborhood 95% of the homes for sale still have the old 1960's kitchens. When it comes time to sell, this minor renovation will help our home as it's already done.
We’re (finally) almost done with—now I know—a transitional style kitchen in a 1790 duplex, East Greenwich, RI. Waiting on electrical, trim work and cabinet hardware to be installed (unlacquered brass t-bars and knobs lined up on windowsill). So glad hub talked me out of things I had previously been interested in: exposed hinges, cup pulls and latches, maybe a bridge faucet. He had already put in a firm request that I purchase the same faucet we had because it’s so easy to use. I gave in to giving up the idea of a more “vintage” look because I thought it would be weird to have those other elements with this type of faucet anyway. And, I believe, knobs and t-bars will be easier to use as we age. (Don’t mind the bags of pasta in the foreground, first home cooked meal in a while!).
We have used most of the ideas provided in this article.