The transitional home style is becoming more popular as homeowners embrace bold hybrid designs that tastefully merge the best of traditional and contemporary aesthetics   When caught between distinctly different design styles homeowners find comfort in the uniqueness of an approach thats hybrid in nature Welcome to the transitional home style Growing in popularity transitional design pays homage to both contemporary and traditional home styles For a home builder it means creating built environments that have an element of surprise For a home buyer it means transforming a homes interior with tasteful restrained elements of whatever suits them traditional or contemporary The effect A pleasing look thats fresh familiar and tailored to the homeowner What is Transitional Style Simply put transitional style means striking a balance between contemporary and traditional elements in a homes design Theres freedom to be experimental in this approach and homeowners who opt for a transitional look can be sure theyll create one-of-a-kind spaces that reflect uniqueness tell a story and have personality By bringing together a combination of design styles homeowners can express themselves in a playful yet sophisticated way Transitional Style Design Goldilocks Principle If Goldilocks were decorating a house says long-time Houzz contributor Lisa Frederick transitional style would check all of her just right boxes not too cold not too formal not too fussy Finding that harmonious middle way is all about resonating with what feels authentic to homeowners After all as people continue to spend more time indoors its important that their homes are comfortable spaces that make them feel healthier and happier Home builder Robert Elliott owner of Robert Elliott Custom Homes of Dallas Texas says transitional allows people that have historically been traditional to have a little bit of fun and experiment with some modern contemporary finishes Its all about finding that just right balance to fit your aesthetic and personal preferences Beyond Interior Furnishings for the Transitional Home The transitional concept goes beyond furniture and décor It also marries traditional and contemporary architecture finishes and materials Think juxtaposed textures and mixed metals used throughout the home from the fixtures in a kitchen to the hardware for a window unit Carried through to window design a contemporary home might be expected to showcase enormous glass expanses that fill an entire wall and create museum-of-modern-art appeal Meanwhile a transitional home can be just as likely to include big glass but it could welcome views of nature in a variety of ways through large double hung windows casement windows or picture windows Broad Appeal of the Transitional Style One person who has observed the transitional movement up-close is Christine Marvin Vice President of Design at Marvin She says the trend defies a generational bias It spans all age groups Christine Marvin says A lot of homes Im seeing might be someones second or their forever home One older couple I know loves Scandinavian design But they also like wood and big glass with homey rounded-corner furniture and traditional rugs Its what they like Its very simplistic uncluttered warm and livable The Beauty of Choice in Transitional Design Opting for large-scale contemporary windows can be the perfect counterpoint to traditional interior look and feel When asked about the latest contemporary window collection Christine Marvin says These windows are specified for transitional design because traditional furniture and décor softens the look You pick what resonates Thats the beauty of transitional design The good news for home builders is transitional styling checks all the boxes The builder is free to recommend the best elements of contemporary and traditional home styling without sacrificing project aesthetics value and quality As Christine Marvin says Home buyers find inspiration everywhere Its a different conversation today A version of this article originally appeared on Buildercom Making a Holiday-Ready Home