What Does a Transitional Chicago Bathroom Remodel Look Like?

Oh, how you love the look of an antique clawfoot bathtub, or a beveled mirror with an embellished reproduction antique frame. On the other hand, you also dig the look of recycled glass countertops and big tile work with fun pops of color. How on earth can you reconcile your appreciation for both contemporary and traditional bathroom design motifs?

Design a Transitional Chicago Bathroom Remodel: Enjoy the Best of Both Worlds

The beauty of a transitional design is that you don't have to choose sides. You can let your love of traditional and antique elements sit peacefully side by side with contemporary features and fixtures. It simply requires a little bit of balance.

The following features exemplify what a transitional Chicago bathroom remodel looks like:

Colorful but not bold. One of the things that defines a traditional bathroom remodel is the color palette, which is typically on the softer, more neutral side. Contemporary bathrooms, on the other hand, are more bold and often have pops of energetic color, even if the foundation of the bathroom is neutral. A transitional bathroom design will blend color into the scheme but in a softer and more subdued way.

It tends towards the warmer side. Contemporary bathrooms capitalize on the ides of clean lines, streamlined finishes and a less-is-more attitude. While they don't necessarily look stark, they will have a slightly colder overall effect. A transitional bathroom will keep some of those warmer notes, often in rich wood cabinetry or fixtures with more curved or ornate embellishments, to yield a warm and elegant effect.

Contemporary with a big dose of elegant. Continuing with the idea of elegance, one thing that sets a transitional bathroom apart from its contemporary counterpart will be the hint of comfortable elegance. For example, a transitional master bathroom will look like an extension of the master bedroom, with vanities, bathtub surrounds or other trim work that has a bit of a furniture feel to it. 

Be careful with the fixtures. Sometimes, it's the faucets and light fixtures that are the giveaway to whether or not a bathroom is transitional, traditional or contemporary. You can have a fairly traditional bathroom in terms of cabinet styles and tile choices, but sleek, modern plumbing and lighting fixtures will make it unarguably transitional.

This North Shore bathroom remodel is an excellent example of a transitional bathroom design. At first glance, it may even appear traditional because of the white cabinetry and marble. However, the cabinet doors are a Lexington style. They are similar to Shaker-style doors, with just enough dimension to hint at traditional roots, but still retaining a sleek aesthetic for a more contemporary look. A traditional bathroom would have added a wood-framed mirror, where these owners went with a chrome frame that matches the chrome faucets. Finally, vanity sconces are a shout-out to a traditional look, but their modern design tells us we are in the 21st century.

Contact Kitchens & Baths Unlimited to begin designing your transitional Chicago bathroom remodel.