What is the Difference Between Traditional, Transitional and Modern Design?

Traditional Design: Setting the Stage for a Grand Look

Getting traditional design just right can prove to be tricky, especially in the kitchen or bathroom where minor aesthetic mistakes can become glaring. Selecting the wrong fixtures or color palette can quickly send an otherwise tasteful, traditional design spiraling into the territory of ‘outdated’ or ‘old fashioned.’ Exceptionally executed traditional design is indeed classic, but it must also retain a sense of timelessness. It should never give the impression of being unrenovated, seem out of style, or create visual clutter in the space. Success in traditional design will transform a simple room into a delightful setting. 

Here’s a quick sampling of the most significant key words to help you identify elements of traditional design:

• Elegant
• Sophisticated
• Ornate
• Curved lines
• Flowing continuity
• Sturdy
• Pronounced 
• Classical
• Charming
• Comforting

Finding kitchen and bathroom faucets that complement a traditional design style can be challenging, so we’ve gathered a few examples to help inspire. 

Traditional design choices from our Americana Collection:

One of our favorite selections for a traditional style kitchen is the Americana Collection Two-Handle Kitchen Bridge Faucet in an oil rubbed bronze finish. The curved gooseneck spout lends a nostalgic, ornate complement to any kitchen with swooping accents and sophisticated charm. The oil rubbed bronze finish easily elevates any traditional color palette into elegance. For added convenience and luxury, add an Americana Wall Mount Pot Filler in a matching finish.

Our Americana Single-Handle Tub and Shower Trim Set has the ability to evoke a sense of familiarity and comfort in an otherwise bare and visually sterile space. Injecting classical charm and setting a scene is exactly what traditional design is all about. 

From our Brentwood Collection:

The Brentwood Collection Two-Handle Bathroom Faucet adds character to a bathroom that has been crafted in the style of traditional design. We especially love the brushed nickel finish on this fixture, as it revives the classic faucet style to a renewed degree of elegance.

Modern Design: Sleek, Understated, and Always Energizing

“Modern” interior design can be represented in a number of ways, almost all of them valid in their own right. And it’s true that much of ‘modern design’ is currently en vogue, but modern design doesn’t always just concern itself with what is contemporary. The brand of modern design we’re referring to is actually a conglomeration of specific elements that combine to create a clean and ‘edited’ aesthetic. Some of the foundations of this design style are leftovers from mid-century design, and most are also closely related to the minimalist school of design.

Here are some decisive key words to help you identify the defining elements of modern design:

• Sleek
• Slender
• Minimal
• Clean/straight lines
• Efficient
• Monochromatic
• Streamlined
• Sharp angles
• Natural colors/materials

Some Motegi Collection inspiration: 

There’s few better products we could use to illustrate the virtues of the modern design style than the Motegi Single-Handle Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet in a matte black finish. The design conveys an architectural minimalism that is sleek and purposeful. The matte black finish is enhanced best when beset by natural wood countertops and cabinets; earth tones and sharp angles. If you’re designing a kitchen that will feature darker tones in the cabinets or floors, try the brushed gold finish.

TIP: Add matching robe hooks and towel rings to tie together the Motegi Collection fixtures in your bathroom space.

Our Mod Collection recommendations for modern design:

Our Mod Collection Handheld Shower Set completely reimagines what your shower space can look like. With no curved lines in sight, the fixture exudes streamlined efficiency. The Single-Handle Bathroom Faucet effortlessly elicits the same effect. 

TIP: Selecting the perfect finish for your fixtures is a crucial part of tying together your design. In an otherwise subdued space, opt for a finish that stands boldly on its own – transforming the fixture into a sculptural piece of art.

Transitional Design: Marrying Subdued Comfort to Eclectic Character

When transitional design is done right, it results in the inspired fusion of the traditional and modern design styles. If you prefer not to choose between either ornate or minimal, involved or simplified, then transitional design is a perfect choice. Opting for this design can endow a space with both versatility and personality, transmuting a simple living area into an inviting home.

One must be cautious not to disrupt the careful balance of the design styles when creating a space with transitional design. If done wrong, the measured equilibrium of the space will teeter into a jumbled mishmash.

To help illustrate what good transitional design should feel like, here are some words that interior designers often associate with it:

• Cohesive
• Comforting
• Balanced
• Refined
• Serene
• Inviting
• Organic 
• Flowing 

Transitional design is also meant to be enduring. Embracing it should never mean negatively impacting resale value, or even negatively impacting your enjoyment of the space over time. Each brand in The Pioneer family of brands all create collections with endurance in mind. 

Here are some of our favorite choices to incorporate into a transitional design:

The i2 Shower Column in matte black, or even a classic polished chrome, radiates a refined energy. Its long, slender profile couples well with its rounded edges to produce a fixture that is not bound to either traditional or modern design. 

Another winning choice for a transitional design in the bathroom is the i1 Single-Handle Bathroom Faucet (particularly in the brushed nickel finish). Sleek enough to pass as modern design, yet classically timeless enough to lend itself well to a traditionally designed bathroom space. This fixture effortlessly encapsulates the vision of transitional interior design.

Concocted for the refined kitchen, and created with the principles of transitional design in mind, the i2 Single-Handle Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet is a safe selection for those experimenting in the style. Similar to more minimalistic faucets, it could be initially overlooked if not for the elegant flair that delicately shapes out all the edges on the fixture. 

TIP: If you’re attempting to channel a sense of transitional style, opt for ‘understated’ rather than ‘bold’ in your choices. It’s not intended to be a mix between ‘simple’ and ‘busy.’ It’s a blend of traditional and modern – both of which are still intended to be tasteful and elegant. Too bold a move in transitional design can end up as a vibe-shattering mistake. 

How Do I Know Which Design Style to Choose?

This is where you’re on your own! You get to choose the style that best reflects what you’re searching for. If near-future resale value is highest on your priority list, it would probably be best to stick to more contemporary and trending choices. If you’re designing a long-term home for yourself, it’s a great opportunity to try to create the perfect, personalized transitional design. 

Ultimately, thoughtfully selecting the right fixtures is how you truly put the finishing touch on a kitchen or bath design. And picking out the right faucet for a space is not just a matter of researching flow rates or spray functionality. You’ll be confronted with the fixtures you selected every single time you scrub a dish, get a glass of water, wash your hands, take a shower, or even walk into the room. So it doesn’t matter whether your room design is traditional, modern, or transitional – the visual appeal of the fixture will matter.