Embracing fun with the curved furniture trend

20th-century modernism’s straight lines and hard edges have been ruling the roost for years. Once synonymous with a contemporary interior style, taste is finally shifting in the opposite direction.

We actually wrote about the re-release of Mario Bellini’s bulbous Camaleonda Sofa from B&B Italia back in December 2021 (All eyes on quilted textures trending in upholstery), and since then this puffy kind of furniture has only been increasing in popularity. Let’s have a look, shall we?

Puffy furniture for a more playful world

Curves add an element of play to a space, which kind of explains why they’re so popular right now after the few hard years we’ve gone through.

The current emphasis in interior design trends lies squarely on creating cosy, relaxing, mood-boosting homes, and with their soft lines and wavy edges, curves are undeniably fun.

The fashion world is preoccupied right now with larger-than-life silhouettes made of puffy sleeves and veils. This preoccupation with a visible kind of comfort doesn’t stop at the runway, as trendwatchers have seen sofa forms curving more and more in the last two years - All eyes on quilted textures trending in upholstery

Even the language around it is entertaining. The internet has been using descriptive terms for curved furniture that we’ve only ever really seen used for food: ‘spongy’, ‘pleasantly plump’, ‘thick and squishy.’

“We wanted to be comforted by these round, curved and tactile chairs and sofas—almost like receiving a big soft hug,” says interior designer Erick Garcia in British Vogue.

Curved furniture and architectural design have always been seen as more ‘comfortable’, and more furniture manufacturers are now incorporating this natural shape into their products. Michel Ducaroy's Togo sofa for Ligne Roset, first released in 1973, has seen sky-high sales recently.

And you’re right in thinking…the 1970s? Really? We’re back to that kind of furniture design? Designer Christian Lyon from Editeur explains:

“It was a hedonistic and decadent decade, following the ’50s and ’60s, which were modernist, rigid and pared-down. Fashion designers like Halston were liberating the female form with sensuous bias-cut garments, and furniture was the same with curvaceous, bold, soft forms, which felt sexy and cocooning. In 2021, we’re craving the same. We don’t want to perch on the edge of hard-edged furniture; we want to fall into a sofa and be utterly enveloped by it.” – Domain.com.

Although curved living room furniture has been getting the most social media love in recent months, it can be found in any room of the house, even kitchens where countertops might need a little extra padding or in bathrooms where rounded, egg-like soaking tubs provide an opportunity for relaxation.

When to choose a curved piece

Curved furniture is a lovely option for smaller spaces, like an apartment or small home. It can create an instant visual cosiness in a space and injects intimacy and warmth into any family room.

Also bear in mind that curved pieces make a bold statement in a room, so they may not be appropriate if you like interior styling that leans towards a more traditional aesthetic. However, if your style leans toward modernism or minimalism then this type of piece might be perfect!

Curved sectionals are a contemporary choice for creating intimacy and warmth

Curved sectional sofas, for example, create a natural conversation area, but placement is key: seating should be arranged in a space where people naturally congregate and want to spend time together, like in front of the fireplace.

They're also a great option for small spaces, as well as large ones, thanks to their availability in a variety of sizes, shapes, and styles.

They can also be made with a huge range of upholstery fabrics and materials, such as different types of wood like oak, maple and cherry wood. Some curved couches are made from leather or suede while others are covered with plush upholstery fabrics.

Upholstery options to follow the curve

Curved furniture is made to showcase soft textiles, with touches like velvet, silk mohair or velour. It needs upholstery that’s flexible enough to follow the curve, with a particular nap that reflects light and highlights the furniture’s curvy form.

As we mentioned recently, we’ve seen this need for cuddly textures and a sense of ‘safety’ reflected in the tactile qualities of our best-selling fabric collections, to the point that we’ve never had a ‘softer’ year.

Along with curved furniture, the revival of quilting and padded textures is making waves in the design world.

Designers have been upholstering textured bouclés on modern sofa forms with rounded, organic aesthetics. Our easy clean bouclé fabrics that peaked in 2021 include beautiful yarn-dyed upholstery collections that feels so nice they could be chenille, and a third collection that also doesn’t have the sometimes-rough sense of a bouclé but, thanks to the melange of yarns in it, has a soft, friendly hand-feel.

What are the best colours for curvy furniture?

Glimmering jewel tones, like dark garnets and mysterious emeralds, are what your curvy furniture needs. Seriously.

Satin and velvet textures feel fabulous to the tactile senses, and jewel tones achieve the same lush effect for visual enjoyment too.

Did you know: All accidental stains can be removed from FibreGuard fabrics using only water: even our velvets! Yes, even chocolate, pizza grease, ball pen and red wine. Should you have a tougher stain, a small amount of standard, white, household soap, can be used. Visit our How To Clean hub page for all the help you need to freshen up. Keep in mind that immediate stain removal will ensure the best result.

Easy clean fabrics for furniture of all shapes and sizes

Curved furniture is a stylish addition to any home. It can be used to create an intimate setting, or simply provide extra seating when needed. The options available are endless with this type of furniture piece!

Stylishly designed by our experienced, discerning team of in-house designers, FibreGuard upholstery fabrics are cleanable to the extent that many other similar upholstery fabrics on the market just can’t compete with.

FibreGuard fabrics are engineered from the inside out to perform, so no wonder they’re easy on the hands (and eyes). Find out what our dedication to technical excellence can do for your dreams of the perfect curved furniture by getting in touch with us today.