Understanding The Traditional vs. Transitional Kitchen Design Style

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July 6, 2017

It’s interesting to discover how many homeowners look at various pictures of kitchens without any knowledge of the kitchen design the picture is delineating.

You see, when you’re a homeowner and ready to make a decision on your kitchen remodel – knowing what design style and trends you like will help narrow and focus your design options.

When you have hundreds of options before you and a tight budget to work with, knowing your personal design style will help make the remodeling process easier for you and your kitchen designer.

One of the most popular design styles is the traditional design style. But we are seeing a huge swing to the transitional design style.

Our goal today is to define traditional and transitional designs, as they’re the most often confused of the popular design styles.

Let’s explore the differences between traditional the transitional kitchen design, as well as where your personal design style most likely fits.

TRADITIONAL

When many people think of a traditional kitchen design style, they get images of their grandmother’s kitchen and its floral wallpaper and laminate floor.  Today, traditional kitchen style remodels include elements of contemporary kitchen design.

This includes a large stainless steel hood over the range. That’s contemporary.

Today, you can choose a hood that can be covered with an ornamental overlay that perfectly matches the cabinetry surrounding it. That’s an example of a traditional design.

Traditional Kitchen Designs Typically Feature:

• Cabinet Doors with Raised Paneling
• Natural Materials
• Detailed Craftsmanship
• Traditional Lighting
• Elaborate Profiles or Large Applied Moldings
• Ornamental Crown Molding
• Classic Stains and Colors

Now let’s briefly discuss the transitional kitchen design style.

TRANSITIONAL

The transitional kitchen design is a blend of traditional and modern styles, focusing on practicality and creativity.

We understand that blending elements of two very distinct styles is confusing. Nobody wants to waste their money on a remodel that ends up looking like a bad aftertaste.

(This is why we recommend a FREE Edge Showroom Kitchen and Bath Designer.  With the help of an Edge designer, you can design the perfect kitchen. Get a FREE CONSULTATION by clicking here.)

Transitional Kitchen Designs Typically Feature:

• Kitchen Cabinet Doors with a Simple Profile (often Shaker style)
• Cabinet Doors Pairing Stained and Painted Finishes
• Crown Molding with Little-to-Zero Ornamentation, or Zero Molding
• Neutral Color Palettes
• Mix of Natural and Manufactured Materials
• Clean Lines in Craftsmanship
• Traditional, Industrial, or Modern Lighting

Those are the six main transitional kitchen design elements to utilize.

FINAL THOUGHTS

These definitions and descriptions are admittedly very basic.Some basic research online or formal schooling would be even more helpful.

Perhaps at least with the images here, you can pretty easily recognize a traditional or transitional design fairly well.

Hopefully you learned quite a bit about the traditional vs. transitional kitchen style.

And of course, Builder Supply Outlet and the Edge Showroom carry the top kitchen cabinet brands including Waypoint, Shiloh, Aspect, Eclipse, Prior Creek, MidContinent, and Bertch. Stop in anytime to learn more about kitchen cabinets or make an appointment and meet with an Edge Kitchen and Bath Designer absolutely FREE by clicking here.

Feel free to stop into Builder Supply Outlet or the Edge Showroom with any home improvement questions you may have regarding cabinet hardware, bathroom vanity sinks, tops, remodeling, tile, backsplash, cleaning, sealing, grout, windows, kitchen cabinets, construction, contractors, designing/installing a new kitchen or bathroom — or anything else.  We can help you through the entire design and installation process from A-Z.  Or call us anytime in Broadview, IL at 1-708-343-3900. You can also make an appointment to meet with one of our Edge Kitchen and Bathroom designers at no charge by clicking here.