Even though summer is in full swing and the UK is facing another heatwave, brands and retailers are getting ready for next season as autumn/winter collections are dropping daily. And there is one look that is ruling all the new high street homeware offering – and that’s the chrome furniture trend.
This retro but super chic home decor trend reflects the overarching general popularity of 1970s and midcentury styles I’ve been seeing all of this year. And it’s no coincidence that I’ve been seeing chrome pieces of furniture in the homes of some of the most stylish people I know and follow.
‘Chrome furniture first shone in the 1920s and 30s with the rise of Art Deco and Bauhaus, before a huge revival in the 1970s – when tubular chrome dining chairs and coffee tables became decorating must-haves,’ says Lucy Mather, interiors expert at Arighi Bianchi. ‘Today’s revival takes the best of those eras but gives it a contemporary spin with a futuristic twist.’
My top picks
I’m tempted by several of these pieces myself as I’m very much a victim of this trend. From the H&M chrome lounge chair I’ve been lately obsessing over to the John Lewis Hoxton chair which stole my heart at the recent John Lewis autumn/winter 2025 press showcase, if only I had the space. But I’m happy to live vicariously through you and your purchases instead.
This chair presents the perfect balance between the cool, sleek chrome frame and soft, tactile chenille in a warm chocolate brown shade. And that curve on the side of the backrest is just chef's kiss!
While you'll likely see this trend mostly in living rooms, chrome furniture can be used in any room of the home including the bedroom. Just take this simple and chic bedside table from Habitat's newly launched range.
I've said it before and I'll say it again - I'm obsessed with this lounge chair. The chunky curved armrests paired with the sleek chrome frame and cosy boucle just hit the spot.
You can go as big or as little with your chrome picks as you like. This is one of my favourite examples of a larger chrome piece, also championing the dark wood furniture trend of this year at the same time - expertly combined.
On the other hand, if you just want to dip your toes in (at least to begin with) you can start with something small but just as chic like this chrome wall shelf from Next, perfect for displaying treasured decor pieces.
Inspired by the design classic that is the Cesca chair, famously designed in the 1920s by Marcel Breuer, this Habitat dining chair is a more affordable take on the much-loved chrome dining chair look.
La Redoute is always one of my go-tos for designer-look pieces with more attainable price points. And this chrome and real leather chair is the perfect example. Bearing in mind it's made with geniune leather, I think it's a bargain!
Another piece that caught my eye at the John Lewis showcase was this chrome coffee table with an amber-coloured glass tabletop - the warm, earthy shade of the glass had me sold.
Even something as utilitarian as a coat rack can be stylish if you choose well. This cactus style in a chrome finish from La Redoute screams design classic.
Why should you invest in chrome furniture this year?
As stylish as this furniture trend is, you might be wondering – why are chrome pieces, including home accessories like chrome lamps, so popular right now? I sure was. And that’s why I asked the experts.
‘In an age where we’re craving both nostalgia and a modern edge, chrome delivers on both fronts. It instantly lifts any decor aesthetic and works brilliantly in both minimal and maximalist interiors. I think part of its appeal is that it’s a “rebellious neutral” – it behaves like a neutral in a room, but with far more attitude,’ Lucy at Arighi Bianchi says.
The metal material's reflective quality also makes it the perfect small living room idea. ‘People are gravitating towards its reflective, high-shine surface, which adds a touch of glamour and sophistication to spaces, especially in smaller homes where maximising light is key,’ says Alex Stubbs, Flitch interior stylist.
‘The chrome furniture trend has surged in popularity due to its sleek, minimalist aesthetic and ability to blend effortlessly with modern, industrial or even retro interiors.’
How to style chrome furniture
The key to styling chrome furniture is using chrome sparingly as a statement and pairing it with soft textures for a cosy living room feel in order to avoid a cold look.
‘For styling, the trick is to use chrome sparingly so it feels intentional,’ says Chloe Barrow, interior expert at Laura James. ‘A chrome magazine rack, a coffee table with a curved chrome frame or an armchair with chrome arms can instantly lift a space. Mix it with raw textures like linen, leather or reclaimed wood for contrast, or let it punctuate a minimalist scheme for a clean, gallery-like finish.’
Lucy at Arighi Bianchi continues, ‘When styling your home with chrome pieces, let them breathe. Keep the surrounding palette balanced, so the chrome shines without overwhelming the space. The look can feel cold if paired exclusively with other high-shine surfaces, so mix in tactile textures like wood, boucle, and velvet for warmth and to soften its industrial edge. Chrome loves contrast and looks fabulous against rich woods, luxurious textiles, and soft, earthy tones.’
Chrome finish is one of those looks that makes the piece in question and by extension the room look high-end and elevated, even if the piece itself comes from a high-street brand with a budget-friendly price point – and that’s exactly why I like it so much!
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