Edgy urban design inspo
There’s something dreamy yet contemporary about the converted loft living of New York city or Berlin. And converted loft and warehouse aesthetics is exactly what’s inspiring the recent trend towards urban interior design.
Offering a combination of warm wood elements and a grungy monochromatic palette, an edgy urban style is bold and contemporary.
‘Edgy urban interiors reflect inner city living. It’s minimalist, sleek and contemporary, but still creates a lot of interest through injections of vibrant colours and curated décor,’ says Homebuyers Centre Display Designer, Nadija Saluwadana.
‘It’s a fantastic style for young couples and families, particularly if you have teenagers or young adults living in the home.’
Considering an edgy urban interior design in your own home? Nadija shows you how she created this style in Homebuyers Centre’s Lismore 26 display home in Mt Atkinson:
1. Begin with a monochromatic base with plenty of black
For the Lismore 26 display home, Nadija chose the Urban colour scheme from Homebuyers Centre’s six expertly created palettes by Alisa & Lysandra.
‘This scheme is super sophisticated and modern, with a daring palette of blacks, greys and whites that will stand the test of time,’ says Nadija.
Standouts of Homebuyers Centre’s Urban colour scheme includes concrete-look benchtops, charcoal carpets and a white mosaic or high-gloss splashback in the kitchen. You can also continue this monochromatic theme in your furniture selections, suggests Nadija.
‘Think about what you would expect in a trendy and contemporary café. Look for sleek and structured furniture pieces in rich charcoal, black and grey,’ she says. ‘Black tapware and geometric light fittings are also a must.’
2. Introduce vibrant feature colours
How do you stop a monochromatic look feeling cold or bland? You introduce vibrant feature colours.
For the Lismore 26 display home, this included a stylish deep green introduced in the upgraded overhead cabinetry in the kitchen. Accent hues of mustard and tan leather are incorporated into painted feature walls and furniture pieces.
‘Something as simple as a mustard yellow chair or deep green sofa can create an eye-catching feature within a room, without overwhelming the space,’ says Nadija.
‘You can also incorporate colours in your throw cushions, bedroom linen and accessories.’
3. Tell a story with your art and patterns
This urban scheme is all about the narrative you weave throughout your spaces. Choose abstract artworks painted in your feature colours or black and white photography that references dynamic city landscapes.
‘It might be a photograph of a skatepark, soaring skyscrapers or city views,’ suggests Nadija.
‘You can also play with pattern – just make sure it’s in short bursts, so you don’t overwhelm your spaces. Think a feature wall with graffiti-style wallpaper, or graffiti-style patterns on bedheads or throw cushions.’
4. Create warmth with timber
Timbers bring warmth to your urban interiors. Look for yellow-toned timbers with undertones of grey, says Nadija. The warm Typhoon Artesan Cream floors of the Urban scheme set the tone of timber for the rest of the house.
‘I love the café-style bench seating in the dining area of the Lismore 26. This not only helps to weave the warm timbers and urban theme throughout the home, it’s also a very cost-effective way to open up the space and make it feel larger,’ says Nadija.
‘The study also contains the functionality of two timber-look desks and open shelving for storage.’
5. Keep it minimalist
An edgy urban interior needs to remain modern, so make sure your interiors are as minimal as possible. Prioritise space and don’t incorporate too many accessories. Think hard about what’s needed and what’s not, for a curated and contemporary look and feel.
‘Accessories should be all about clean lines and simplicity. Think sleek sculptures and vases that add personality and character,’ says Nadija.
‘Books that reference architecture or cities and strategically placed wall lights or floor lamps work well. Include smaller succulents, bonsai trees or propagated plants in simple glass vessels to soften the space.’
Discover this edgy urban interior design at Homebuyers Centre’s four-bedroom, two-bathroom Lismore 26 display home in Mt Atkinson. Perfect for professional couples and young families, this single-storey design features the contemporary Elle façade, and a dedicated study, theatre and mudroom as standard.