Urban Industrial Style: DmitryLaptev Getty Images Pro and Rawpixel.com via Canva Pro
Urban Modern Style: both by KatarzynaBialasiewicz Getty Images Pro via Canva Pro
Urban Chic Style: Drew Coffman and Nick Karvounis of Unsplash
What are the Urban Decorating Styles?
Urban Industrial, Urban Modern and Urban Chic.
These are some names by which Urban styled interiors are called.
So what exactly is the Urban Family of Decorating Style?
The short answer is: they’re Industrial Styles‘ cousins “from the city.”
In other words:
- they’re the more polished versions,
- they’re based on today’s city life as opposed to rural life, so
- they’re more modern, more comfortable and more forward-looking.
A short backgrounder
Before we get into the details, here’s a short discussion on how Urban and Industrial Styles are related.
The urban landscape and the industrial buildings
The free dictionary defines the word “urban” as:
1. Of, relating to, or located in a city.
2. Characteristic of the city or city life.
And today’s cityscape is filled with structures made of reinforced concrete, metal and glass.
These are the same materials that were used in the construction of the older industrial buildings,
together with wood and bricks.
When the locations of these industrial structures slowly became parts of modern cities,
these abandoned factories were reclaimed and reused
for other purposes and adapted to contemporary use.
Specifically, what connects these two styles is the Industrial Era –
during which the industrial buildings were built and
which made possible the modern cities as we know them today.
Overlap between urban and industrial
The above diagram illustrates the similarities between the styles.
Urban Style shares all its materials with Industrial Style,
while Industrial Style uses others such as brick and wood.
Any style can use wood, but in this case,
wood was an important material in the structure of old industrial buildings.
Newer urban edifices can be built without wood in their completed state.
An industrial space may be located in both rural and urban areas.
And urban spaces can only be in the cities,
exactly what the word “urban” implies.
Therefore, it can be said that Urban can also be called Industrial,
but not the other way around.
Characteristics of city life
Some things urbanites have to live with:
shrinking living spaces in modern condominium units and expensive city life.
Living with city traffic is another characteristic of urban life.
And the bicycle has become a better option for going around the city.
It’s less expensive, gets one faster to his destination and
is more environment-friendly.
Characteristics of Urban Decorating Style
They may or may not be in industrial lofts.
Some may be in more modern condo units.
There’s a pronounced use of industrial materials like
bricks, concrete, wood, metal and glass –
whether in its architectural details or in its furnishings.
Because of its association with Industrial Styles,
Urban spaces can include the same décor.
Due to small living areas, their spaces are maximized and multi-purpose.
The furniture pieces can also be multi-functional.
Bicycle as décor
Urban and Industrial Styles share a lot of same decorative elements.
But the bicycle is notably common to both because
it’s a symbol of Industrial Revolution and
it’s used as a practical mode of transportation in Urban cities.
Three variations of the Urban Styles
Urban Industrial Style
The more polished version of Industrial Design Style.
So, what are the main differences between them?
Urban Industrial vs. Industrial Design
Urban Industrial Style
- does not need to be in an industrial loft, but uses industrial materials
- less focus on repurposing
- mostly polished
- sleek and cosmopolitan
- can include bright, fresh colors
Industrial Design Style
- celebrates the history and building materials of abandoned industrial spaces
- emphasizes repurposing
- mostly rustic
- retro and nostalgic
- earthier color scheme
More examples of Urban Industrial Interiors and their elements
* check out our post on Industrial Styles for a more in-depth reading on its characteristics and elements
Very URBAN in its overall fresh, polished and clean look.
Industrial elements:
– exposed brick wall
– exposed pipes
– polished stone table tops
– metal table legs
– Tolix metal chairs in mismatched sizes
– Navy metal chair
– concrete flooring
Like the previous example,
this is also very URBAN with its clean and polished finishes.
Industrial elements:
– exposed brick wall
– concrete ceiling
– window and wall partition made of metal and small glass panes
– bare window to allow maximum lighting, very characteristic of Industrial Design Style
– wood and metal furniture pieces
– black iron pipe and Edison bulb tor the table lamp
– old bottle repurposed as vase
– telescope with tripod legs (travel element from Industrial Design Style)
Urban vibe from the bright colors and edgy design.
Industrial elements:
– corrugated galvanized iron sheets as wall covering
– metal and wood in tables and chairs
– industrial pendant lamps
– very interesting industrial bench design
with seats that can be moved along a track
Cooking utensils as wall decor is a reference to
Modern Farmhouse Style, a style that’s
closely related to Industrial Style.
Click the link for a post that includes Farmhouse Style.
Go to our Pinterest account for more examples of URBAN INDUSTRIAL STYLE.
Urban Modern Style
Urban style that includes modernist and contemporary pieces.
It emphasizes comfort, making the space a good place to come home to
after a tiring day in the life of city dwellers.
These places are outfitted with current appliances afforded by today’s technologies.
As in any modern style, it can sometimes have some minimalist trait.
Examples of Urban Modern spaces and their elements
Urban Industrial elements:
– exposed brick wall
– concrete posts and flooring
– exposed black iron I-beams
– exposed pipes
– all-metal stairs and railings
– metal and wood chairs and tables
– industrial pendant lamps with scissor arms
Modern elements:
– couches in Mid-Century Modern Style
– modernist Swan Chair by Arne Jacobsen
– arching floor lamp used in Midmod Style
– use of primary colors red and blue as Modern De Stijl influence
– contemporary lighting using simple linear tubes
URBAN INDUSTRIAL vibe from:
– bare industrial windows
– wood flooring
– exposed concrete beams and ceiling
– exposed pipes and ducts
– concrete wall
– black finished industrial pendant lamos
– metal floor lamp
– metal shelf
– bicycle print on pillow
– windows without treatment
– table with metal scissor base
MODERN vibe from:
– contemporary sofa design
– black and white scheme
– minimalist look
An URBAN MODERN flat in what seems like a condo unit.
Urban Industrial elements:
– brick wall
– metal and wood in dining table
– polished concrete for the floor
– metal bars framing the walls
– maximized small living space
– bare window
Modern elements:
– Eames arm chairs for the dining area
– Mid-Century Modern-inspired coffee table with splayed legs
– sectional sofa in comfortable velvet upholstery
– area rug for more comfort
– modern kitchen cabinetry and appliances
– gray and white scheme
– minimalist look
Find more interiors in URBAN MODERN STYLE in our Pinterest account.
Urban Chic Style
The elegant version of Urban Industrial Style.
This is achieved by adding classic, blingy and luxurious elements
to the Urban space.
Examples:
– gold and other metallic finishes
– crystals
– velvet fabrics
– expensive area rugs
– furniture pieces inspired by classic Rococo or Baroque Styles
Examples of Urban Chic interiors and their elements
An Urban living area with modern furniture pieces and elegant vibe.
Urban elements:
– brick wall
– exposed beam
– industrial window without treatment
– wood and metal coffee table
Chic elements:
– jewel subject and jewel colors on the artwork in gold-finished frame
– vintage wrought iron and metal chandelier
– high contrasting black and white scheme adds to the elegant vibe
URBAN CHIC living room with a masculine vibe.
Urban Industrial elements:
– concrete wall partition and flooring
– exposed metal post
– exposed beams and pipes
– metal shelf and side tables
– leather Chesterfield sofa and arm chair,
a common element in Steampunk Style (a style related to Industrial Design Style)
– travel trunk with studs as center table
(an Industrial Design Style element)
Chic vibe from:
– the silvery metallic finishes on the trunk and side tables
– animal skin area rug and covering for the side tables
– elegant workmanship on the arm chair and sofa.
Check out our Pinterest board on Urban Chic Style.
In summary - Urban Styles differentiated
Among the Urban Styles,
Urban Industrial has the most emphasis on Industrial elements.
Urban Modern combines Urban Industrial elements
with modern and contemporary elements and furniture pieces.
Emphasis on comfortable and convenient amenities.
Urban Chic gives Urban Industrial Style
an elegant spin, something for the sophisticated urbanite.
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