I have designed several kitchens since I started offering my online interior design services and most of the kitchens I have designed fall into the transitional style category. If you’re thinking of renovating or designing a kitchen chances are that you have encountered many transitional kitchens already, but do you know how to identify them?

Before I start telling you how to design a transitional kitchen, you should know what transitional interiors really are. Transitional designs are somewhere in between traditional and modern styles; they bridge the gap between the two, borrowing from each aesthetic. What it yields is an environment that is warm and welcoming, unfussy but incorporating classic components.

When it comes to transitional kitchens, in particular white ones, the style may reference from the past, but there must be something new that makes it fresh and updated yet the overall result is never stark, contemporary or futuristic. There is always warmth and softness about this particular style.

This beautiful transitional kitchen was designed by Ashley Winn Design and it blends a functional space with a sit-down dining area and an open concept family room.

Overall speaking, this transitional kitchen combines the elegance of traditional design with contemporary style trends for a look that is fresh and refined.

20 Ideas on How to Design a Transitional White Kitchen

Transitional style is coming into its own as a favorite kitchen design. In a recent survey by the National Kitchen and Bath Association, transitional design moved into the No. 1 spot for the first time, edging out the long-time champ, traditional. The reason? Transitional style has universal appeal — it takes a trend-defying approach to design that’s cozy, elegant, and ensures a great return on your investment.

As you can see, the transitional kitchen above blends the old with the new and adds a touch of creativity to create a flexible gathering place.

1: Transitional Interiors are Never Cold

A larger table and dining chairs will add much-needed seating to the dining room area. The lighting fixture used in this space will bring style and personality while a decorative rug and accessories will marry the space to the rest of the house.

These elements add a welcoming, lived-in feel to the open main floor.

2: Take Risks

Unusual materials are fine, especially if they’re in keeping with the principles of no-regrets kitchen design, including simple detailing and subtle colors. For example, don’t be afraid to invest on a stunning fabric for your draperies. Take some risk and use your creativity. Neutral linen is beautiful and safe, but adding some color and texture will make your transitional space feel customized.

3: Find a New Classic

If you want something to look different, then you have to do something different. Think innovatively.

Designing with black and white is definitely a classic decision, but it becomes exciting if you bring new elements such as the zinc table mixed with the photo wall and the capiz chandelier.

4: Look for Transitional Lighting

Add one-of-a-kind pendant lighting, something that you grab everyone’s attention and curiosity.

The lighting seen above is the Restoration Hardware Capiz Shell Pendant.

5: Add Your Personal Touch

It’s easy to warm up transitional style and keep it homey. Here, the designer decided to create a black and white wall photo gallery instead of using art.

6: Mix Natural and Manufactured Elements

Transitional kitchens will always include elements of both traditional and contemporary design. They will certainly mix natural and man-made elements as well as finishes and textures. In fact, a transitional kitchen will often feature wood, steel, glass and stone or marble all in the same space.

7: Mix Old & New

Unique details give your kitchen personality and keep it from being formulaic. For example, you can bring in a favorite antique like the gorgeous rug we above.

Remember, combining old and new brings together classic details and updated sensibilities.

8: Choose the Right Sink for Your Transitional Kitchen

For sinks, consider a fireclay farmhouse to add a timeless appeal to your kitchen or choose a farmhouse sink that has been redesigned with a contemporary finish, such as stainless steel to bring a more modern feel to the space.

The farmhouse sink above was beautifully based on a piece of wood, which maintains a sense of warmth in this kitchen.

9: Look for Transitional Materials

It takes a bit more creativity and adventure to create your own transitional style than to comfortably conform to a traditional style kitchen. If you’re tired of hearing about the cons of having marble countertop in a kitchen, look for more affordable and durable options out there. This kitchen features white quartz countertop – it’s sleek and stunning!

10: Natural Color Palette

You will often find a pop of color here or there, but in general, transitional kitchens feature neutral colors in varying shades. The result is typically a sophisticated, and timeless look.

11: Add Texture

While transitional kitchens are often subdued when it comes to color, that doesn’t mean they’re boring at all! Transitional kitchens are often delightful explorations of texture, using everything from interesting tile surfaces to polished or rough stone to provide visual interest.

12: Invest on Sleek Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchen cabinets in transitional kitchens tends to be simple. You won’t find ornate cabinetry design, or elaborate hardware on transitional kitchens. What keeps it from looking too modern, is the material: typically use wood as opposed to glass or lacquer to keep it transitional instead of contemporary.

13: The Past is Always Present

A transitional kitchen borrows elements or references styles of the past and combines them with contemporary features to produce something new and fresh. The beauty of it is that you can decide how you want to mix and match the past and the present so that it’s a kitchen truly expressing who you are and how you live!

14: Mix Components

Mix components from different eras, such as hardware, moldings and cabinet doors.

15: Transitional Kitchens Allow You to Express Your Personality

Transitional kitchen-style adapts easily to its surroundings. It’s modern, classic, and comfortable all at once.

16: Being Transitional Means that You Recycle

Recycle or find a way to reuse objects that you already have. Make sure to incorporate them into the design.

17: Transitional Kitchens are Smart

The most simple transitional kitchen layout includes a kitchen island in its design. Sure, kitchen islands are ideal for food preparation or storing kitchen appliances, but they can also provide pub-style seating where backless stools or tall chairs can provide a dining space for guests or a simple spot for an after-school snack.

18: Transitional Kitchens are a Way to Break Away from Traditional Design Style Rules

Don’t be afraid to break the traditional rules. One way to do that is to combine finishes. You can have an all-white kitchen, for example, but make sure to mix the finishes and details. Try to mix elements such as brass light fixtures with polished nickel faucets and cabinet hardware.

The pendant lighting above is the Goodman Hanging Lamp Pendant from Circa Lighting.

19: Bring a Reference to the Past

Use new elements that are inspired by old designs. This kitchen faucet, a Rohl Polished Nickel Country Kitchen Three Leg Bridge Faucet, brings a sense of old-world with a sleek feel to the kitchen island.

20: Be Open-Minded

The basics of designing a transitional kitchen is being open-minded. What you’re doing is blending the old with the new, and adding a playfulness to the design.

8 Comments to '20 Ideas on How to Design a Transitional White Kitchen'

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1. Jennifer Kennedy said,
   August 9th, 2015 at 10:51 am

   beatuiful!!!!

2. Kelly said,
   September 17th, 2015 at 9:08 am

   Fantastic – would you be able to tell me where the bar stools are from please?

3. Evelise said,
   October 30th, 2015 at 6:25 pm

   Beautiful design!!! Might you share the manufacture on the cabinet hardware? Thank you!

4. Luciane from HomeBunch.com said,
   November 21st, 2015 at 9:50 pm

   Hi Evelise.

   Thank you for your comment. Unfortunately I don’t have further information on this. Please try to contact the designer. He/she might be able to answer to your questions.

   Have a great day!

   Luciane

5. Sonya Tartt said,
   November 24th, 2015 at 6:56 pm

   Can you please tell me where the large matted frames are from? Or help me get in contact with someone who does! Thank you!

6. kelly sitrin said,
   December 2nd, 2015 at 8:07 pm

   Love the cabinet hardware. Where can I find it?

7. Casey said,
   February 15th, 2016 at 12:18 pm

   Where are the bar stools from?

8. Anna said,
   May 25th, 2017 at 8:03 pm

   Do you happen to know the paint colors for the walls and cabinets? Thank you.

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