Why We Love Urbia

Urbia creates innovative contemporary furniture and modern dining tables that blend urban sophistication with organic materials from around the globe. Based in Philadelphia, Urbia specializes in modern accent chairs, concrete coffee tables, reclaimed wood dining tables, and contemporary storage solutions crafted from unexpected materials like fiber-reinforced concrete, repurposed barn wood, and premium European leather, creating furniture that works equally well in modern apartments and rustic country homes.

The Problem with Predictable Modern Furniture

You walk into contemporary furniture stores and everything looks exactly the same - sleek glass tables, generic metal frames, and boring neutral upholstery that could have come from any showroom in America. Most "modern" furniture prioritizes looking trendy over being interesting, resulting in spaces that feel like hotel lobbies rather than authentic homes where real people live and entertain.

The Solution: Urbia creates contemporary furniture that surprises and delights through unexpected material combinations and innovative design approaches. Their pieces blend urban sophistication with organic textures, creating furniture that's undeniably modern yet warm and inviting, using globally sourced materials that tell stories and create conversation rather than simply filling space.

Which Urbia Collection Fits Your Contemporary Vision?

• Mixx Collection for indoor-outdoor living: Fiber-reinforced concrete furniture that handles weather extremes while maintaining sophisticated appearance for sunrooms, covered patios, and modern spaces that blur interior-exterior boundaries.
• Metro Collection for upholstered comfort: Contemporary sofas, accent chairs, and settees in luxury fabrics ranging from performance linens to supple European leathers that provide the comfort modern lifestyles demand.
• Elements Collection for industrial appeal: Reclaimed aluminum furniture with sleek, modern silhouettes that add architectural interest while celebrating sustainable material innovation and industrial design heritage.
• Organic Wood Collection for natural warmth: Tables and seating crafted from single-slab hardwoods and repurposed barn wood that bring authentic character and environmental responsibility to contemporary interiors.

Why Innovative Materials Create Superior Contemporary Furniture

Urbia's approach to material selection provides advantages that standard contemporary furniture cannot match:

Fiber-Reinforced Concrete: Stronger and more durable than traditional materials while offering unique aesthetic possibilities. Concrete furniture develops natural patina over time, becoming more beautiful rather than showing wear like conventional alternatives.

Reclaimed and Repurposed Materials: Barn wood and salvaged materials provide environmental benefits while creating furniture with genuine character and history. Each piece tells a story that mass-produced alternatives simply cannot offer.

European Leather Excellence: Premium leather sourcing ensures superior texture, durability, and aging characteristics compared to domestic alternatives. European tanning processes create leather that develops rich patina rather than deteriorating over time.

Global Material Innovation: Access to worldwide material sources enables design possibilities that domestic-only manufacturers cannot achieve, creating furniture that's truly unique in the contemporary market.

Investment Analysis: Innovative vs. Standard Contemporary

Understanding Urbia's value proposition requires appreciating the long-term benefits of innovative design:

Standard Contemporary Furniture: $600-2,500 initial cost, but often looks dated within 3-5 years as trends change. Limited durability and generic appearance provide minimal resale value or lasting satisfaction.

Urbia Contemporary Innovation: $1,200-4,500 initial investment, designed to remain interesting and relevant for decades. Unique materials and construction often appreciate rather than depreciate as mass production makes authentic innovation more scarce.

The conversation value alone justifies the investment. Urbia pieces naturally generate interest and discussion, creating memorable spaces that reflect owner personality rather than decorator trends or showroom displays.

How Philadelphia Urban Environment Influences Design

Urbia's Philadelphia headquarters provides design inspiration that creates authentically urban contemporary furniture:

Industrial Heritage: Philadelphia's manufacturing history influences material choices and construction techniques that honor industrial design traditions while meeting contemporary lifestyle needs.

Urban Density Solutions: City living experience informs space-efficient designs and multi-functional furniture that maximizes utility without sacrificing aesthetic appeal or comfort.

Cultural Diversity: Philadelphia's multicultural environment contributes to global material sourcing and design influences that create furniture with worldwide appeal and authentic international character.

Regional Preferences for Contemporary Innovation

Northeast: Urban environments appreciate industrial materials and space-efficient designs that work in converted lofts, brownstones, and contemporary condos with challenging architectural features.

Southeast: Concrete and weather-resistant materials perform beautifully in humid climates while providing sophisticated appearance for both indoor and outdoor entertaining spaces.

Midwest: Reclaimed wood and sustainable materials align with regional values while providing the durability and value expected from quality furniture investments.

West: Indoor-outdoor materials and innovative design approaches complement the region's lifestyle preferences and appreciation for environmental responsibility and design innovation.

The Sustainability Story Behind Material Innovation

Urbia's material choices provide environmental benefits that standard contemporary furniture cannot match:

Waste Reduction: Repurposed barn wood and reclaimed materials prevent disposal while creating unique aesthetic elements impossible to achieve with new materials.

Durability Focus: Innovative materials like fiber-reinforced concrete last decades rather than years, reducing replacement cycles and disposal problems associated with trend-driven furniture.

Responsible Sourcing: Global material relationships emphasize sustainable harvesting and ethical production practices that support environmental conservation and fair labor standards.

Care Instructions for Innovative Materials

Daily: Most Urbia materials require minimal daily care. Dust concrete surfaces with microfiber cloth and maintain leather pieces with gentle cleaning as needed for normal use.

Weekly: Clean spills promptly and check for any material-specific maintenance needs. Innovative materials often require less maintenance than traditional alternatives.

Monthly: Apply appropriate conditioners to leather surfaces and inspect concrete pieces for any seasonal changes. Quality materials develop character rather than showing wear with proper attention.

Seasonally: Professional assessment helps maintain innovative materials optimally, particularly for outdoor-rated pieces that handle weather changes while maintaining interior-quality appearance.

Styling Contemporary Innovation Throughout Your Home

Urbia furniture works beautifully as the foundation for sophisticated contemporary interiors. Coordinate with modern lighting fixtures, contemporary area rugs, and modern accessories that complement rather than compete with innovative materials and unique design elements.

Consider pairing with sleek console tables, contemporary storage solutions, and designer accent chairs that share Urbia's commitment to material innovation and contemporary design excellence.

For complete room solutions, explore modern bedroom furniture and contemporary office furniture that provides the sophisticated foundation necessary to showcase Urbia's innovative approach to contemporary design.

Experience contemporary furniture that challenges conventions while serving real-world lifestyle needs. Browse our curated Urbia collection, or contact our contemporary design specialists for guidance in incorporating material innovation and authentic urban-organic design into your modern home.