Your Guide to a Transitional-Style Bathroom
Find out how pros achieve this style that balances traditional and contemporary elements
Laura Gaskill
August 11, 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 bathroom remodel with the help of a bathroom designer, architect or contractor, being able to pin down your favorite style will help get your project off to a smooth start. If you love classics-with-a-twist and spaces that strike a happy medium between traditional and contemporary, transitional style might be right for you. Read on for the need-to-know details about this popular bathroom style, including key elements, color palettes, fixtures and finishing touches.
Transitional-Style Bathrooms at a Glance
Transitional style pairs the classic, time-tested appeal of a traditional look with the clean silhouettes and understated color palette of contemporary style. Here are some common elements to look for in a transitional bath:
Transitional style pairs the classic, time-tested appeal of a traditional look with the clean silhouettes and understated color palette of contemporary style. Here are some common elements to look for in a transitional bath:
- Shaker-style vanities paired with sleek hardware
- Countertops made from marble, quartz or light-hued granite
- Streamlined lighting and mirrors
- A hint of embellishment in the form of molding and trim
- Tile in white and neutral hues
What You Won’t Find in Transitional Bathrooms
While elements of traditional and contemporary styles are both present, transitional bathrooms don’t veer far in either direction. Here’s what you won’t see:
While elements of traditional and contemporary styles are both present, transitional bathrooms don’t veer far in either direction. Here’s what you won’t see:
- Bright color palettes
- Cutting-edge trends
- Elaborate edge treatments on countertops
- Heavy, traditional furnishings
- Highly embellished millwork
Calm Color Palette
Whether you opt for cool or warm hues, the colors in transitional style tend to be soft and subtle. For a richer look, consider blue, brown, gray or wood tones.
Colors for transitional bathrooms:
Whether you opt for cool or warm hues, the colors in transitional style tend to be soft and subtle. For a richer look, consider blue, brown, gray or wood tones.
Colors for transitional bathrooms:
- Soft neutrals. Cream, beige, taupe, chocolate, dove gray, silver, snow white
- Serene hues. Misty blue, dusty rose, blue-gray, soft sage green
- Rich colors. Navy, charcoal, slate, deep green, chocolate
Shaker-Style Vanity
With its simple frame and panel construction, Shaker-style cabinetry strikes a crisp, clean note that works well in transitional-style bathrooms. Pair a Shaker-style vanity with classic hardware and faucets to match. A wide range of finish options will work in a transitional bathroom, including polished or brushed nickel, chrome, matte black, brushed gold, brass and Lucite.
Shop for transitional-style vanities on Houzz
With its simple frame and panel construction, Shaker-style cabinetry strikes a crisp, clean note that works well in transitional-style bathrooms. Pair a Shaker-style vanity with classic hardware and faucets to match. A wide range of finish options will work in a transitional bathroom, including polished or brushed nickel, chrome, matte black, brushed gold, brass and Lucite.
Shop for transitional-style vanities on Houzz
Elegant Stone
Stone counters, floors or wall treatments can make a beautiful focal point in a transitional-style bathroom. 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.
Stone counters, floors or wall treatments can make a beautiful focal point in a transitional-style bathroom. 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.
Sleek Undermount Sink
Choosing an undermount sink draws the eye to a beautiful stone (or engineered stone) countertop, provides more counter space and makes for an easier-clean bathroom. The smooth, uninterrupted surface also makes a good backdrop for a beautiful faucet.
Find white porcelain undermount sinks on Houzz
Choosing an undermount sink draws the eye to a beautiful stone (or engineered stone) countertop, provides more counter space and makes for an easier-clean bathroom. The smooth, uninterrupted surface also makes a good backdrop for a beautiful faucet.
Find white porcelain undermount sinks on Houzz
Design Detail: Subway Tile
Bridging the gap between traditional and contemporary elements with ease, subway tile is crisp, clean, affordable and goes with just about anything. This classic tile can be applied in the traditional brick-like stacked pattern or in a herringbone or other layout for a twist.
Bridging the gap between traditional and contemporary elements with ease, subway tile is crisp, clean, affordable and goes with just about anything. This classic tile can be applied in the traditional brick-like stacked pattern or in a herringbone or other layout for a twist.
Pedestal Bathtub
A pedestal-style tub has just the right amount of detail to fit beautifully in a transitional bathroom. If you like the look of a freestanding bathtub but want to increase accessibility or make cleaning easier, another option is to choose a partially freestanding tub. Modern freestanding bathtubs, drop-in tubs and even claw-foot tubs can also work.
Browse pedestal bathtubs
A pedestal-style tub has just the right amount of detail to fit beautifully in a transitional bathroom. If you like the look of a freestanding bathtub but want to increase accessibility or make cleaning easier, another option is to choose a partially freestanding tub. Modern freestanding bathtubs, drop-in tubs and even claw-foot tubs can also work.
Browse pedestal bathtubs
Glass Shower Enclosure
Simple, elegant glass shower enclosures are a good choice for transitional bathrooms. When paired with beautiful tilework on the shower wall, a glass enclosure becomes a natural focal point. For more privacy, consider customizing the enclosure with textured or frosted glass or a partial wall.
Simple, elegant glass shower enclosures are a good choice for transitional bathrooms. When paired with beautiful tilework on the shower wall, a glass enclosure becomes a natural focal point. For more privacy, consider customizing the enclosure with textured or frosted glass or a partial wall.
Design Detail: Classic Lighting
Lighting in transitional bathrooms is classic — not elaborately embellished or fully minimalist, but light and graceful. Look for sleek wall sconces, drum pendants, recessed lighting and updated chandeliers.
Find transitional bathroom vanity lighting
Lighting in transitional bathrooms is classic — not elaborately embellished or fully minimalist, but light and graceful. Look for sleek wall sconces, drum pendants, recessed lighting and updated chandeliers.
Find transitional bathroom vanity lighting
Finishing Touches
While not as spare as contemporary bathrooms, transitional bathrooms still maintain a streamlined look. Add just a few carefully considered finishing touches like a soft neutral rug, a vase of fresh flowers and stacks of fluffy white towels.
While not as spare as contemporary bathrooms, transitional bathrooms still maintain a streamlined look. Add just a few carefully considered finishing touches like a soft neutral rug, a vase of fresh flowers and stacks of fluffy white towels.
Your turn: Are you a fan of transitional style? Describe or show us your favorite transitional-style bathroom in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Your Guide to Transitional Style
Browse photos of transitional-style bathrooms for inspiration
Find a bathroom designer to get your project started
Shop for transitional bathroom products
More on Houzz
Your Guide to Transitional Style
Browse photos of transitional-style bathrooms for inspiration
Find a bathroom designer to get your project started
Shop for transitional bathroom products
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Where do you buy those type of cabinets that sit on the countertop ? (Like shown by user 9922 in the pics above). I've seen them in some pictures, but never see them listed anywhere. Is there a certain name/description for them or are they all custom?
When i put them in my renovated bathroom they were referred to as a tier cabinet and were found in the kitchen department. I used them in a center drawer stack that went up to 3/4 height. The drawers have tons of storage space with easy access and the top of the unit gave some extra counter space for decorative but useful items like our perfumes and aftershaves. with the center tier, the counter space around the sinks made the His and Hers areas more defined. I loved that bathroom and hated to leave it when we moved.
This is our latest transitional style remodel