The Transitional Kitchen: Blending Modern and Classic Elements

If your style doesn’t fall neatly into "modern" or "traditional," you’re not alone. More and more homeowners are asking for something in between, something with soul, but also sleekness. That’s where a transitional kitchen design shines. But what is a transitional kitchen? Simply put, transitional kitchen design allows you to blend the warmth of classic-traditional design with the clean lines of contemporary aesthetics. Let’s explore this a little more.

What Is Transitional Design, Really?

As Jodi describes it, transitional style is a reflection of real people: "It’s someone describing their own taste when they say, 'I’m not one thing.'" This design style borrows from both ends of the spectrum. Think: shaker-style cabinetry with modern hardware. Wood tones with sculptural lighting. A farmhouse sink set beneath minimalist windows.

We see transitional kitchen design especially in New England, where historic home exteriors don’t always match the way people live today. Clients want their kitchens to feel timeless but not old-fashioned. Functional but not clinical. That tension, and the balance it creates, makes transitional design so appealing.

Builder: Asher Nichols & Craftsmen ANCO - Photographer: Sabrina Cole Quinn

Designing for Real Life

Transitional kitchens fit today’s lifestyle shifts. For the most part, fewer homes have formal living rooms and hidden kitchens. Most families prefer open-concept kitchen layouts that allow spaces to flow together. In fact, 75% of our projects involve removing a wall. That doesn’t mean every kitchen becomes ultra-modern. Instead, we blend classic features with modern convenience.

Maybe you’re keeping original moldings but painting them a crisp white. Or perhaps your new cabinetry features glass inserts and vintage pulls, while the kitchen island lighting is sleek and sculptural. One element brings familiarity, the other freshness.

transitional kitchen design - Balance Is the Secret Ingredient

With transitional kitchens, balance matters. It’s all about how each piece plays with the others. Too much ornamentation and it starts feeling dated. Too much minimalism and it loses warmth. Jodi is always tuned into these nuances. Window treatments, wood tones, and fixture choices are all important elements and must be selected carefully.

Builder: Andrew Stone Preferred Builders - Photographer: Michael P. Lefebvre

One client wanted to save the home’s dark moldings. Instead of replacing them, we updated the rest of the space to harmonize, keeping the richness but eliminating the heaviness. How did it end up? A warm, layered space that felt both current and connected to the home’s past.

Not sure if you lean modern or traditional? You don’t have to pick a side. As premier Boston kitchen designers, we will help guide your tastes and design instincts toward a style that complements your home in the best way possible.