How do you design a glam room? Add some chrome.
A Milo Baughman chrome chair enlivens the design of New York City Prewar apartment. Design: Time & Place Interiors
I’m a designer who prefers soft neutrals, deep textures, and calm spaces. Yet I admit to being drawn to silvery, metallic things every once in a while. Call it Shiny Object Syndrome, but there’s something irresistible about a glossy polished finish: its mirrored surface feels shamelessly fun and decadently glam.
We all need a bit of glam in our lives — a refreshing reminder to bring levity and luxury into our spaces. In interior design, there’s no better way to add glam than through silvery chromed surfaces. Chrome can be introduced through an accent item like a lamp, an accessory, or even a statement furniture piece. Especially if the metal is of substantial weight and good quality (I beg you to avoid flimsy knockoffs), chrome is one of those luxurious textures that helps add personality to a new construction home.
Chrome was all the rage in the 1970s (read more of my thoughts here), and today it’s making a design comeback with its popular retro vibes. Late Mid Century lighting by Robert Sonneman, Brutalist furniture by Paul Evans, and even Deco Revival pieces from the 1980s — all with their metallic shiny surfaces — are particularly posh. Bringing in a small touch of chrome, paired against neutral or even traditional furnishings, makes for a striking style juxtaposition that instantly enlivens an interior.
Follow along for inspiration on introducing metallic chrome finishes for glam decorating style. And if you feel the desire for a bit of glam in your own home design, reach out to chat about making it happen.
Here’s a classy, masculine interior with muted, neutral tones that is punctuated by a striking contemporary chrome chandelier above a custom designed dining table. Design: Sean Anderon / Photo: Haris Kenjar
Chrome is front and center in this glamorous but fun Tribeca living room design, with a tubular steel contemporary chair. Design: Olivia Stutz / Photo: Sean Litchfield
In contrast, here’s an example of a quietly eclectic living room that gets a pop of modern through a Mid Century chrome floor lamp. Design: Carter Design / Photo: Laure Joliet
A modern chrome drum side table looks super sleek besides a leather lounge chair in this clean and simple home design. Design: Nikki Amodio / Photo: Joyelle West
It can be effective to echo finishes between objects in the same room. In this New York City living room, subtle touches of chrome are repeated between a vintage reading lamp and Mid Century pebble box accessories that sit on top of a Danish sideboard. Design: Time & Place Interiors
Glam + bold is the name of the game in this Parisian entryway design, with a bench by a French designer and a shapely 1970s floor lamp. Design: Rodolphe Parente / Photo: Philippe Garcia
Another way to introduce chrome: a silver-tipped lightbulb. It’s an easy way to transform a basic light fixture into a design-worthy moment. In this French house, the silver-tipped bulbs are matched to chrome legs of a vintage side chair and the chrome side table that’s reflected in the mirror. Design: Céline Sathal / Photo: Eefje de Coninck
I particularly love the contrast between rustic woods and glam chrome. This ribbon table lamp from the 1980s not only enlivens the beams this Parisian loft, but also echoes the chrome in the 1970s Italian vintage lamps hanging in the hallway. Design: Studio Baha / Photo: BCDF Studio
Chrome accents can also be part of furniture bases, to add a crisp touch to your design. Here’s a scene from a New York design studio where a Mid Century rosewood desk is paired with a chrome base chair by the designer Joan Burgasser and a chrome table lamp by Robert Sonneman. Design / Photo: Lovehouse NY
A chrome roundup, for your own glam style
I’ve assembled a curation of chrome and metallic surface home decor pieces, including a mix of vintage + modern designs that would add a touch of fun glam to your space. Click the images for links to shop my handpicked selections.
Looking to elevate your space, with a bit of fun?
Time & Place Interiors is a New York-based interior design studio that helps young urban professionals elevate their lifestyles through sophisticated design. Founder Ksenya Malina curates one-of-a-kind spaces with distinguished character, ranging from modern to eclectic styles. Use the link below to schedule a free 20-minute information call to discuss your design plans with Ksenya:
