5 Ways To Embrace Curved Designs In Your Space, According To The Experts
From shapely, sculptural furnishings to flowing, voluptuous silhouettes, the trend for curved lines in our interiors continues to be a sumptuous favorite. Here, three interior tastemakers share how and why to embrace its striking benefits in your space. By KATIE BERRINGTON
Embrace your curves
Curved design acknowledges the trend for natural forms in our interiors, says Alexandra Donohoe Church, director of Decus Interiors. “It invites a quality of sensuality and sinuousness into any space, bridging the gap between the built environment and the human form,” she says. Designer Linda Boronkay concurs: “Generally, I love curvier silhouettes in a space, as they can create a better flow in a room. Curved shapes resemble nature, so they are usually more comfortable and ergonomic. Plus, from an aesthetic point [of view], they are also easy to work with, as they look good from all angles.”
“Curved design, whether on furnishings or hard surfaces like the edges of a kitchen island, bring a modern, yet soft and sophisticated feeling to a space,” adds Susana Simonpietri, creative director of Chango. “It instantly draws the eye and gives a feminine touch to a room.”
Assess the space
When it comes to choosing the settings that curved designs particularly complement, you need to consider the space in its entirety – from the architectural outline (curved furnishings can, for instance, break up straight, geometric shapes and silhouettes) to adding depth and intrigue to the textures and tones of the overall interior. “I personally love placing curved furnishings in formal living rooms and primary bedrooms,” says Simonpietri. “As we tend to treat these spaces in a lot of layered, neutral tones, the shape and curvature of these pieces are inviting, soft, and comfortable.”
Donohoe Church favors “the tension created by polarity and the pairing of opposites in our work, and I would typically introduce curved elements to break the repetition of a rectilinear space with strong angular lines,” she shares. “I find that curved pieces are most successful when they have a generosity of space in which to breathe, allowing the user to appreciate their form fully.”
Play with proportions
For Boronkay, it is essential to choose pieces that work with the dimensions of the space, but there is sure to be something to suit any situation. “Curved lighting works almost anywhere,” she says. “Curved furniture tends to work better in larger spaces, especially if we are talking about sofas, but nowadays there are also some really petite armchairs that almost hug you and have a stunning silhouette.”
If in doubt, begin small…
“Start small, with an armchair or a lamp, and build on it,” she continues. “Curved sofas can be tricky to place if you don’t have a big space to play with, so always triple check on sizing before you commit to a larger curved piece.”
“Start with a great armchair in a beautiful texture to add to your most gathered-in room,” concurs Simonpietri. “Your guests will go right for it.”
…but ensure it makes an impact
“I tend to favor the ‘go hard or go home’ approach,” says Donohoe Church. “I advocate selecting one or two significant pieces [that are] important to the space – not necessarily large – and limiting the curves to just those pieces in the room. Let the diva sing, I say.”