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How to Pick Furniture for a Modern Home

By Nick Cranwell

A modern home isn’t just a look—it’s a mindset. Clean lines, intentional design, and uncluttered spaces define the modern aesthetic, where every piece of furniture plays a role in creating calm and order.

If you're furnishing a modern-style home, the key lies in choosing pieces that are both functional and visually refined. At Urban Lockers, we know that great design is all about balance—between form and function, minimalism and warmth. Whether you're furnishing from scratch or updating your space, here’s how to select furniture that brings modern style to life—and where our sleek storage lockers and drawers fit in perfectly.

Focus on Clean Lines and Simple Shapes

When furnishing a modern home, begin with the basics. Furniture in modern spaces should feel visually light, clean, and intentional. That means opting for sofas with low profiles and straight edges, coffee tables with sleek surfaces, and dining chairs that are simple in silhouette but rich in quality. Avoid fussy details, oversized proportions, or overly ornate finishes—modern design embraces simplicity.

At Urban Lockers, we follow the same philosophy in our storage products. Our lockers feature flat fronts, subtle handles, and powder-coated finishes that complement streamlined furniture effortlessly. They fit into the modern aesthetic not as afterthoughts, but as key pieces that anchor the room while keeping it clutter-free.

The Bexley single-door tall storage locker in navy blue, next to some plants

Choose Your Colour Palette

Typically, a modern home features a subtle colour scheme such as neutral tones, natural materials, and carefully considered contrasts. These tones create a calm and timeless backdrop that allows your furniture and accessories to shine without overwhelming the space. Soft whites, such as those found in our Vanilla Lockers range, bring a clean and airy feel, ideal for minimalist interiors. Similarly, cooler greys—like the elegant tones in our Slate Grey range—offer a refined and contemporary base that works beautifully with modern materials like wood, metal, or polished concrete.

However, modern design isn’t just about playing it safe—it’s also about making a statement. Injecting a pop of colour can add personality and energy without compromising the overall aesthetic. Consider choosing bold locker finishes like Mustard, Blue, or Flamingo Pink. These vibrant hues act as striking focal points in otherwise neutral rooms.

Whether you're accenting a hallway, office, or living room, colourful furniture pieces—like our statement lockers—can bring warmth, vibrancy, and individuality into your modern home.

The Harrow mustard yellow metal drawers with 4 drawers, in a room next to a chair

Prioritise Function Without Compromising Style

Modern homes are often designed around real life. That means open-plan layouts, smaller spaces, and the need for furniture that can do more than just sit pretty. Think multifunctional sofas, extendable dining tables and pieces that double as storage.

It’s exactly this idea of smart living that drives our locker collections. Whether you need a slimline storage unit like The Camden to fit in a small space or a tall unit like The Bexley to maximise vertical space, our lockers are designed to be as practical as they are stylish. And because they come in a range of sizes and configurations, they easily adapt to whatever space you’re working with—whether it’s a studio flat or a family home.

The Camden short, 1 door metal side table locker in Forest Green, beside a sofa.

Mix Textures for Warmth

One of the challenges with modern design is avoiding the trap of making a home feel cold or too clinical. That’s where texture becomes essential. Mixing materials like warm wood, matte metal, natural linen, and smooth glass creates depth without visual clutter. Our powder-coated steel offers a tactile contrast to softer materials, making them ideal in settings where you want a modern edge with a touch of warmth. Pairing a Slate Grey locker with oak flooring and boucle textiles, for example, can create a space that feels intentional yet welcoming—proof that modern doesn’t have to mean minimal to a fault.

The Mayfair tall 2 door metal storage locker with a lower drawer in slate grey.

Selecting the Right Furniture for Each Room

When it comes to furnishing your home, each room has different requirements. Whether that be a wardrobe for your bedroom or a large storage unit for a kid's bedroom, our wide variety of lockers is carefully curated to fit within a range of rooms. Here are a few suggestions of where our lockers work great in a modern home:

Living Room – The living room is the communal area within a home, making it a space where style meets comfort. In a modern living room, your furniture should feel open and inviting. In addition to low-profile sofas and sleek coffee tables, storage is a key furniture piece within a living area. Whether you’re tidying away books, tech, wires or everyday essentials, our range of lockers are a practical solution. A large locker like The Fulham is a great side table, which looks great with accessories such as a plant or trinkets. Alternatively, The Oxford is popular as a TV stand, with added storage and cable holes, making it a perfect statement furniture piece that not only is practical but stylish.

Bedroom – A modern bedroom should feel like a sanctuary to escape to. Therefore, furniture in this room should prioritise comfort without sacrificing clean lines and simplicity. Low-profile furniture such as beds and streamlined bedside tables such as The Bromley are key for a calm, simplistic environment. For those requiring a little extra storage for clothing, The Mayfair is the perfect wardrobe for a modern bedroom. Opt for a bold colour such as mustard or flamingo to create a fun, statement piece to contrast.

Office - A modern home office should strike the perfect balance between productivity and style—a space that motivates without feeling cluttered or cold. Clean-lined desks, ergonomic chairs, and well-placed lighting create a focused environment, while thoughtful storage keeps everyday essentials neatly tucked away. In compact or multi-purpose spaces, choosing storage that’s both functional and aesthetically pleasing is key. Our metal lockers and drawers are ideal for modern offices, offering sleek, durable solutions for organising documents, tech, and supplies. With a range of sizes and colours, they bring a bold yet refined touch to your workspace, helping you stay organised while enhancing the overall look of your office. Metal locker drawers, such as The Lambeth, are a particularly stylish and practical office piece, offering plenty of space for storing paperwork and stationery.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're designing a minimalist flat or giving a modern home a fresh new feel, think beyond conventional furniture. Choose pieces that bring function, elevate the room, and reflect your way of living. With Urban Lockers, modern living starts with smart design.

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