Curves. Mama always said if you have them, flaunt them. And when it comes to the latest furniture trends, as usual, mama was right. From high-end luxury to lower budget brands, furniture styles are making the shift from straight lines and sharp edges to rounder, more voluptuous designs. Drawing inspiration from the past and making their debut in the 1970s, chairs and sofas in sculptural shapes and sophisticated fabrics hit the height of their popularity in the 80s – that is, until now. According to reports from Pinterest and Zillow, curved furniture has once again topped the charts and is one of this year’s hottest home decorating trends.
Designed for both form and function, there is something about the fluid silhouettes and soft edges of these artistic beauties that we cannot get enough of. So what is the appeal? It comes down to psychology. Our brains are drawn to circular forms and curved lines, which are associated with safety and tranquility. Pointy shapes and sharp objects, on the other hand, trigger responses of fear and anxiety. After a stressful couple of years spent mostly at home, it is not surprising to see people seeking out comfort in their furniture choices.
Often synonymous with nature, curved lines have the ability to create ease and an innate flow in your home, instantly elevating spaces and softening the linear angles of most rooms. On display everywhere from college dorms to urban lofts to luxury estates, curved furniture is transforming spaces one piece at a time. From the living room and dining room to the bedroom and home office, it strikes a commanding presence in any space, large or small.
So whether you are moving into a new home, looking to give your existing home a fresh look or trying to stage a home for a quick sale, bypass the big, boxy upholstered furniture of the last decade and go for bold, statement pieces with curvy, serpentine shapes that promote conversation and add a touch of elegance and glamor to your space.
Wondering how to pull off this look in your home? Below are some tips and ideas to help you embrace this year’s hottest design trend – the curve!
- Start small: Not sure if you are ready to dive in head first and fully embrace this trend? Start out with a smaller piece of furniture, like an accent chair, or rounded fixtures, hardware or decorative accents as a subtle way to begin integrating the curved trend into your home. Something as simple as a circular coffee table, a round mirror or a globe pendant can create ambiance and break up more angular lines.
- Choose soothing colors: People love curved furniture for its serene, calming qualities. Lean into this by choosing colors that echo these same qualities. Whether for the furniture itself or as a backdrop, gain inspiration through the organic colors you find in nature.
- Be bold: Curved furniture already has a statement-making quality about it, but do not be afraid to go with a bold upholstery choice, like plush velvet, a nubby boucle or a soft shearling. And because of their rounded shape, curvy sofas and chairs work really well floating off the wall. Consider placing them more toward the center of the room to show off their shape and make even more of a statement.
- Go beyond the living room: While historically used primarily in the living room, curved furniture is now finding its way into just about every room in the house with its renewed popularity. Curved chairs soften rectangular dining room tables, a rounded headboard in the bedroom sets the tone, making the space cozy and inviting. Arched bookcases in the office contrast beautifully with the hard lines of desks and cabinets. If you are looking for ways to make your decor more on-trend, try going beyond the living room and incorporating curvy pieces throughout your home.
- Mix in natural elements: Head outside and take a look around. Curved shapes are everywhere. Borrowing elements from nature to complement this affinity for all things round makes a lot of sense. To do this, incorporate organic texture with your curvy furniture and accessories. Look for materials such as wood, stone and natural fibers, and combine various textures to mimic the balance found in the natural world.
- Aim for balance: Too much of anything, no matter how amazing it is, is rarely a good thing. The same can be said about your decor. With too many curved elements, your style may come off as predictable rather than the artistic harmony you are trying to achieve. Combine organic and architectural elements, as well as curved and streamlined elements for a space that is both visually intriguing and emotionally engaging.
- From soft-edged sofas to amorphous chairs to tables and accents in rounded shapes and forms, the curved decor has been re-imagined and is being granted a second lease on life. Here to stay, popular retailers at all price points have embraced the curvy look making it easier than ever to take the edge off your current home design scheme and embrace the curves of the 21st century.