If the roots of this way of furnishing are to be found in the large industrial premises of the ‘30ies in American metropolis (very high ceilings, huge glass windows, stairs of wrought iron, exposed brick walls), along the years it has been able to acquire influences which make the interiors “softer” and cosier, less markedly “stuck” in the essential, minimal lines of the industrial world.
We get pleasant, stylistically coherent spaces where contemporary elements are combined with elements of the past: unique interiors where every colour, material and finish becomes a location which reflects the character of those who live in them. In this guide we will discover the peculiarities of urban chic interior design, which pieces of furniture to choose, the main colours and materials and all the furnishing objects which can create this atmosphere which tells of a “contemporary past”.
How to decorate a house in urban chic style?
There is not just one way of decorating interiors in urban style, simply because the personalities of those who choose this style are a lot, and different. Urban style can be interpreted in lots of different ways and everybody can choose its own to open a new chest of design.
There are, however, some key elements which cannot be disregarded in order for an urban style interior design to succeed:
- Urban means “inspired by the city”: you must not forget to take some urban atmosphere into your interiors. The best way to do it is through the use of materials.
- “Precious” ones are banned: urban chic style demands raw dark, preferably mat materials and laminates with thin profiles.
- Playing with contrasts: a cement wall can be enlivened through large mirrors and printings or through light sources as floor lamps or pendant lamps of coloured glass.
- Decorations and fabrics must be carefully mixed together. It’s better to choose the neutrality of grey colours, in their coldest nuances; or leather (perfect in brown colour), if you prefer warmer notes. Carefully mix stylised patterns and modern textures: this way accessories will tell stylish stories.
- The main colours of this style are neutral, raw tones: white, black, grey, brick red. They are to be used on large surfaces, like walls and floors, and to be enlivened through contrasting furnishing objects.
Urban Chic pieces of furniture: how to choose them
It is better to choose clean, essential lines to decorate the house in urban chic style. A very classy minimalism which expresses a sophisticated care for details and which is able to complete modernity with the most refined elegance.
When dealing with open spaces, living room, kitchen and dining room very often form a single interior. Pieces of furniture are therefore fundamental to separate the “working area” from the one dedicated to relax.
Consoles can be a very good solution to divide the various areas and to create small islands of relax with a cosy, thrilling atmosphere: a comfortable chaise longue, a floor lamp, an abstract patterned carpet, a total black pot cover to create a green corner: problem solved! Vintage chairs and small tables which seem to have been stolen from old coffee shops are a must, as well as comfortable padded benches which appease urban rigour through soft, cosy upholstery. 
Urban chic living room: the necessary furnishing objects
Eye-catching: this is the leit motif which must inspire the choice of the furnishing objects to decorate an urban chic living room.
Vases which look like scuptures, stylised paintings, lamps with sinuous shapes and even diffusers: they are decorative and furnishing objects which can give the urban style a chic, refined allure.
The power of urban chic interior design is nowadays in its ability to slowly reveal itself, to create spaces which first astonish, then disclose themselves and eventually play with details to inspire curiosity.
Interiors where apparently static, linear furnishing elements can create emotions which speak about (and to) memories. And turn the past into wonderful modernity.
