January 19, 2023, 4:23 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
In Italy, they not only understand the lightness of being but also the beauty of good design. Unlike in Scandinavia, the Mediterranean region leans more toward extravagance. Modern Italian living is akin to an art form that often serves as inspiration here as well.
Not only are Scandinavia and Italy located in completely opposite directions on the world map, but they also differ fundamentally in terms of interior design. Yet, like fashion and cars, both styles of furnishing enjoy great popularity internationally. However, living like in Italy does not necessarily mean adopting the typical Mediterranean lifestyle. Just as the individual provinces and regions of the boot-shaped country are diverse, so too is the interior design within the country. Modern Italian living is largely influenced by urban design, featuring bold colors, a unique language of shapes and lines, and a hefty dose of extravagance. So, what is typical of modern Italian living? What are the key elements of decorating in the Italian style?
Opulent and Oval Seating Furniture
Italians undoubtedly have a flair for aesthetics and design. However, unlike in Scandinavia, Italian furniture is anything but minimalist and restrained. Seating furniture, in particular, demands attention. Sofas and armchairs are often opulent, spacious, and well-cushioned. After all, the entire Italian extended family needs to find a (comfortable) place here.
And while Scandinavia celebrates a certain straightforwardness and simplicity, the South prefers curves and intricate designs. Crescent-shaped sofas are sometimes paired with a comfortable wing chair, whose distinctive tufting is reminiscent of the popular Chesterfield style, for a sophisticated look.
Decorating in the Italian Style with Marble and Mosaic
Admittedly, classic Italian design can appear pompous at times, but it also emphasizes the country’s traditional natural treasures. What terracotta is to the typical Mediterranean style, marble is to modern Italian living. As a country where large quantities of marble are quarried, Italy often celebrates this high-quality material in the form of sculptures and statues, such as Michelangelo’s “David.”
Marble is also frequently part of the room design in bathrooms or on floors. Another “stone” typical of Italian-style decorating is mosaic. Once popular in the Roman Empire, these small art stones are still used as design elements in the South today. In addition to walls and floors, colorful mosaics now also adorn the tops of small tables or the frames of mirrors.
https://oembed/myhomebook/affiliate/a4b5f380c4cf0a2fe25783572af68d66de09d735f4edb2708e2a08ea1878dce9/8e6e2b30-0677-421d-83d2-e1e4481878f8/embed
Colorful, Sparkling Interiors
One thing is clear–Italians can do colorful. Bold colors often find their way into their interiors. Here, a chair in fiery red; there, a floor vase in royal blue; and the wall decor impresses in vibrant lemon yellow. It’s not uncommon for all three colors of the Italian tricolor to come together. To ensure that red, white, and green stand out, they are combined with neutral, achromatic colors like anthracite and black. Thanks to sparkling, shiny accents in gold and silver, the living space is additionally tastefully enhanced.
Also interesting: What We Can Learn from the French When Decorating
Dark Furniture Adds Drama
Typical of modern Italian interiors are bold colors and materials with plenty of character. Primarily, it is furniture made from dark woods that, while adding a certain heaviness, also bring a lot of extravagance and coziness to the living space. Therefore, sideboards, display cabinets, and various table models are often made from high-quality mahogany or dark oak wood.
Seating furniture like lounge chairs and sofas with leather upholstery in dark brown or even black are also often part of the living room. This particular color concept, which seems to consciously avoid brightness, gives modern Italian spaces not only elegance but also a certain drama.
How to Achieve the Mediterranean Look in Your Living Room
Why Neo Deco Is More Than Just an Art Deco Revival
Heavy Fabrics and Large-Scale Designs
The heaviness in the room, created by the deliberate avoidance of brightness, is also reflected in Italian home textiles. Whether cushion or furniture covers, curtains, or textile lampshades, fabrics with a special texture dominate the space. Therefore, an armchair is often made of bouclé, the sofa of velvet upholstery, and the wall is adorned with a brocade wallpaper fabric.
This sophistication in textile selection is often crowned with an extraordinary design. Graceful ornaments and graphic patterns in–for Northern and Central European standards–exaggerated large formats do not represent modesty and yet could not fit better into the ambiance.
Staging Lights as Artworks
Lighting plays a central role in modern Italian living. Magnificent chandeliers often hang from the ceiling, immediately drawing all the attention. Models made from high-quality Murano glass, known for their perfection in design, material, and value, often serve as inspiration.
The globally renowned desk lamps from Artemide are also often part of modern interiors, thanks to their perfect symbiosis of design and function. A certain eccentricity is also observed in Italian table lamps, as they appear significantly larger than those from other European countries. The sculptural lamp base alone often resembles a work of art. And the lampshade is not skimped on either, as it often has the circumference of a standard pendant lamp.