The Seattle Times — How to incorporate curvy and irregular shapes into your home décor

Amber Katz, The Seattle Times

Are your Pinterest boards filled with funky home decor shapes? From irregular curves to organic shapes, pieces with unexpected forms are a beautiful way to bring movement into a space. However, incorporating unconventional pieces into your home can be tricky! Jennifer Gardner joined The Seattle Times in a conversation about how to make the most of this popular trend! 

One of Jennifer’s tips? “Shift the mood with well-placed curves. This is especially true in rooms filled with hard surfaces and right angles, as bathrooms tend to be. Incorporating soft, rounded elements into the vanity area is a subtle but powerful way to add warmth, sophistication, and a nod to traditional design.” 

Ready to soften hard angles? Read the full article here or down below! 

How to incorporate curvy and irregular shapes into your home décor

In a world of straight lines and predictable silhouettes, irregular and curved furniture breaks free from traditional design constraints, transforming living spaces into dynamic landscapes.

“Curved and irregular shapes are a striking way to break up the rigidity of straight lines, bringing an organic, fluid and youthful energy into a space,” says Vince Stroop, founder of Stroop Design. From undulating sofas to organically shaped side tables that seem to defy gravity, these unconventional pieces aren’t just functional, they’re artistic statements that bring movement and life into every room.

Whether it’s a kidney-shaped coffee table that invites conversation, a wavy headboard that softens stark architectural edges or a spiraling kitchen island as a focal point, these irregular designs offer a chance to inject personality into every space. As interior design embraces more fluid, nature-inspired forms, these furniture pieces serve as a rebellion against the rigid. We caught up with interior designers to learn more about this popular trend and how to incorporate it into your home.

Kitchen and dining room

Consider curves for furniture and dishware. Tessa Kluetz Pernell of TKP Design suggests a dining table or chairs with rounded edges or a bar cart with an irregular shape.

“These pieces can create a luxe, but approachable atmosphere for gatherings,” she says. Decorative bowls or vases with unique, flowing forms add an artistic touch to countertops or shelves. “Curvy dishware can also serve as a unique accent when hosting,” she adds.

Living room

Soften your space with sculptural shapes. One of interior designer Jennifer Gardner’s favorite ways to soften a living space and boost its functionality is by incorporating a barrel-back swivel chair. “Its curved silhouette brings an organic, sculptural quality to the room, while the swivel base offers flexibility for conversation, TV time or enjoying the view out an adjacent window,” she says.

Introduce curves via mirrors.

“Freeform and wavy mirrors have become increasingly popular, offering a sculptural element that enhances light and space while instantly adding character and softness to a room,” Stroop says. 

“Arched mirrors are a go-to choice in the trend for curves, but a circular mirror will age better and be more versatile as your style continues to evolve,” MG2 Design’s Eleazar Juarez-Diaz says.

Opt for a cozy chair.

“The trend in recent years of curvy and irregular shapes feels like a product of the pandemic,” Juarez-Diaz says. “We continue to want spaces that feel like a warm embrace.”

Choose an irregular or organic shaped cocktail table. This offers a curated yet comfortable pairing and anchors the space, Gardner says.

“Whether it’s a biomorphic wood top, a wavy-edge marble or a sculptural resin piece, a statement table like this becomes as much a conversation starter as it is a landing spot for drinks, books or a well-placed vase,” she says. “It’s proof that function and personality don’t have to compete.”

Embrace shape in artwork and accessories. Abstract paintings, sculptural wall hangings or free-form ceramic pieces incorporate curves to enhance visual interest and texture. “From wavy-edge trays to curved vases and organically shaped bowls, accessories allow you to incorporate this design language in small but impactful ways,” Stroop says. Layering these elements throughout your space brings cohesion without overwhelming the overall aesthetic.

Bedroom

Go for rounded pieces. Kluetz Pernell recommends looking for a bed frame with a rounded headboard or nightstands, dressers and side tables with curved edges. “These pieces can soften the look of the bedroom and add a touch of serenity and femininity,” she says.

In terms of textiles, she suggests incorporating throw pillows and rugs with organic patterns or rounded shapes, which “can add layers of texture and comfort while reinforcing the theme of curves and softness.”

“A bedside lamp with a curvy base or a unique, organic shape can serve as a functional art piece,” she adds.

Look for armchairs, lights, rugs and runners with curved elements.

Juarez-Diaz prefers pieces with curved construction in the arms and back. “Rugs and runners with curvy lines or rounded edges are a great way to anchor this soft style to your space without the commitment of a large furniture piece,” he says. For the best bang for your buck and the most visual impact, Juarez-Diaz suggests swapping your lighting for curved or circular fixtures.

Bathroom

Shift the mood with well-placed curves. This is especially true in rooms filled with hard surfaces and right angles, as bathrooms tend to be, Gardner says. “Incorporating soft, rounded elements into the vanity area is a subtle but powerful way to add warmth, sophistication and a nod to traditional design,” she says.

In one of her recent projects, Gardner and her team leaned into curves across multiple touchpoints: a gently rounded marble countertop brought softness to the visual footprint, while a curved ogee edge added a classic, time-honored detail that felt both elevated and inviting.

Try a rounded vanity or sink. Kluetz Pernell likes a vanity with rounded corners, a rounded pedestal sink in a powder bath or rounded side tables on larger bathrooms to make the space feel more luxurious and inviting.

Carry through the theme with curved drawer pulls. These are proof that even small hardware can have a big impact, Gardner says. She also added
a faucet with graceful lines that echoed the shape language without overpowering it.

Try an oval or slipper-shaped free-standing bathtub.

“The soft silhouette invites relaxation and enhances the overall beauty of the room,” Gardner says.

If you’re up for escaping the tyranny of right angles, these ideas offer a more gentle approach to spaces. From living rooms to bathrooms, by incorporating curved furniture, accessories and architectural elements, you can transform your environment into an artful sanctuary.

—Amber Katz, The Seattle Times