Understanding the various design trends will help you narrow down your options, but first, you have to understand the differences between the styles. Let’s talk about the design differences between a traditional and transitional style kitchen.

Traditional vs. Transitional

Traditional kitchen
Traditional wood cabinetry with ornamental moldings and detailed design.

It’s important to design a kitchen that speaks to your style. When we try to put certain design ideas into a particular style box, it’s usually to help designers guide their clients towards the products they might like. At the beginning of a remodel, it makes it easier to communicate with your designer if you are both speaking the same language. Two styles that are often confused are Traditional and Transitional. So, let’s look at the design elements that set the two styles apart.

Traditional kitchen design

Traditional is exactly what you think it is; a throwback to your grandmother’s kitchen but updated to meet modern standards. A traditional kitchen isn’t old, outdated, or stuffy. The design elements are traditional, tried and true, and will make anyone feel right at home. There is a comfort to a traditional kitchen because we all recognize and have a history with the design.

Traditional Design Elements

A traditional kitchen design element is using natural materials. Wood cabinets and detailed craftsmanship and design. The cabinet doors have raised paneling, and there is a lot of ornamental design, like fancy and bold crown molding. A traditional kitchen will also have the classic hood range over the stove, with a quaint backsplash.

Transitional kitchen design

Transitional kitchen
Cleaner lines and more minimalist design are design elements in a transitional kitchen.

The transitional kitchen will lean more towards incorporating practical elements, with cleaner lines and less design or a sleeker kitchen.  Transitional kitchens are aptly named because the design is a smooth transition from the traditional to the modern. You will still see a lot of natural elements, but you will keep the design elements to a minimum. If there is crown molding, it’s simple and clean in design.

Transitional Design Elements

The cabinets doors are going to be more subtle in their design, but not so sleek that you end up in modern/Euro territory. A transitional style kitchen will tend to go a little bit more towards an industrial feel, with lighting and manufactured materials.

Kitchen showroom in Denver

Check out the subtle design differences between a traditional and a transitional style kitchen at The Kitchen Showcase in Denver. We’ve got over 40+ rooms to inspire you for your kitchen remodel.