Experimenting with the chic urban décor this season!

The look this season for small, urban pads, apartments or big bungalows is the urban contemporary look which is characterized by a sleek, neat, clean, bold look with minimalist furniture and a few chosen artifacts. Heavy accessorizing is absolutely disregarded. In fact too much accessories and furniture make the place look overcrowded and hinders the flow of life giving Chi. Therefore stick to this fabulous look and play with straight lines and bold artifacts. Huge white or pastel hued pots, a Chinese lamp or maybe just two neat paintings that are all that is required. In fact, in these recessionary times; it makes sense to go with this trim, bold look. Although some people do call it the empty look yet it is very chic and very much in vogue. This uncluttered, solid look adds that international touch to your pad and makes it stylishly modern, comfortable, functional and very, very understated.

Here are a few of the pointers for that highly chic urbane look:

Color of the room – The walls of the house could have an eclectic mix from the color palette. It could be bold combined with pastels or just black and white or simple earthy colors like beige, rust or mustard. But stick to a particular color. Suppose you take rust, and then go with maroons, rust, terracotta etc. Do not mix opposing colors.

The whole point is to give a balanced, spacious look coupled with simplicity and originality. Avoid mixing too many colors or using unusual, dramatic colors. Neutrals are the best option and just to spice up your room a dash of a bold color would do wonders, (but not necessary)!

Furniture – The furniture that goes well with this contemporary, city-dweller look of the house is basically bold and smooth and nothing too ornate, carved or fancy. Just; plain and simple basic straight lined furniture that leaves at least 70percent of the space open for maneuverings. Ensure that the legs of the peg tables and centre tables are bold and not crooked. The fabric too is generally in pastels and neutral shades.

To add some zing; throw in a contrasting colored rugs, cushions or a sit-downs, but that’s just about it! Avoid floral prints, lacy accessories, too much designing and absolutely no frills and ruffles please!

For the bolder lot, the Leopard spots or zebra stripped fabric can be used, but the catch word is to keep it bold and simple.

Flooring- Flooring is generally smooth and in single tone colors. It could be vinyl or marble flooring. No designing on the floor, for this urban, neat look and the best is to keep it in monotones preferably in whites and beiges. Rugs should have contemporary look and should not be the heavy, embroidered carpet-types, but the young funky ones in neutrals.

Accessories- For accessorizing such a house; look out for artifacts with clean lines and unusual finish. Something that is dramatic but surely not intricate. Metals like copper, bronze, steel are preferred and big sculptures can be put on the floor itself while small ones can be highlighted by placing them on pedestals or hanging them on the walls.

A great idea is to have a family photograph wall where different family snaps can be hung together in clean, bright frames on the same wall!

Avoid over accessorizing and let there be lots of space for free movement. Flower arrangements if any should be big and interesting. Mix up fresh and dry arrangements to get a unique look.

Basically the idea is to be yourself, be original and keep on reinventing the look of your house without too much expenditure!