Why I love a curve…
5 minute read
From statement pieces of furniture, to smaller accessories with circular forms printed onto them, I believe every home needs a bit of curve appeal. And this isn’t just about the latest interiors’ trend, as product designers have known for years how us humans are drawn to anything vaguely circular.
Everything about this room feels inviting, and I believe that’s due to the presence of lots of curves…from the sofa to the coffee table, the organic shaped art on the wall and even the lighting. Vivienne sofa by Soho Home
It’s something about the never-ending lines and lack of angularity that we find comforting and reasssuring when it comes to a curve. And it’s believed that this is mainly because our brains crave circular forms, as too much ‘squareness’ just doesn’t feel relaxing.
And ultimately I think we all want to feel cocooned within our homes…and there’s nothing better than a generous helping of curves to do this.
If you delve a little deeper into this subject, the general scientific view is that sharp lines are interpreted on a sub conscious level as threatening, whereas softer organic shapes are not. We’re literally hard wired to like curves. Obviously it’s all about balance as always in life, and a room overwhelmingly styled with curvaceous furniture and accessories may end up feeling like a toddler play park. But on the whole it’s always a good idea to counterbalance the harder lines, which most rooms naturally have unless you live in a turret, with some softer, curvier pieces.
This curved sofa sits perfectly in this room, & references the arched doors beautifully. Photography by Alex Profit
Although most of us might not choose a sofa like the one above for practical reasons, it does demonstrate how soft undulating shapes can really transform an interior. This space in particular has linear panelling on the walls and chevron-style parquet flooring as it’s base…and so it would be very easy to make it feel less inviting with a boxy shaped sofa and a rectangular hard edged coffee table. But by adding a curved sofa, a round rug and a coffee table that has a very organic form to it, the owner has instantly softened the whole feel of the room.
And the whole curve thing doesn’t have to be the pervading theme to your room, and can simply be softer shaped pieces that have more of a ‘free-form’ design to them. So rather than thinking that you need to swap out your traditionally box shaped sofa for an undulating movie-glam style one, simply have a look around your room and see how many smaller pieces you have that soften the edges of your space…and therefore take away from the overall linear feeling. Coffee tables are an easy way to bring in a more organic shape, and oval or circular shaped ones often looks great juxtaposed against a rectangular sofa. Side tables too are a great opportunity to step away from more traditional linear shapes in our home, and I’m a big fan of the more sculptural ones that have made an appearance on the high street in recent years.
I love these statement side tables, more sculpture as opposed to furniture. Urban Outfitters
The main reason I love curves in the home is that they reinforce the feeling of comfort and cosiness in an interior as their presence simply makes a room feel more inviting, somewhere that you want to lounge around in and ultimately relax. And if you feel like you need to bring a bit more softness into your home, but aren’t quite ready to commit to changing furniture, then bringing in rounder accessories can work equally as well.
This can apply to the shape of your lampshades, whether your rug is round or square or even the style of your dining chairs. Every single piece you bring into a room will affect how it feels and I think most of us want our homes to feel relaxing… and softer shapes are an easy way to achieve this.
And it’s not just the physical shape of an item that can have an effect. Printed patterns and organic looking abstract art can work equally as well. So if you’re not quite ready for that wavy sofa yet, then there are plenty of other ways to get a bit of curve appeal into your home…just always remember to think outside of the (square) box.
Here are a few of my favourite pieces that will bring an element of softness to your home
Togo chair by Ligne Roset
The Togo is the ultimate nap chair, and that’s all down to it’s soft cocooning shape. Definitely on my wish list.
Image courtesy of Zwei Design
Keyra dining chair by Anthropologie
From the turned detailing on the legs to the soft curve of the padded back, this chair is all about it’s relaxed shape.
Framed relief art panel, Folk Interiors
I love the subtle shapes within this relief. And the fact that the top layer is made from felt brings a whole new level of softness to it.
Hanging planter set by Toast
It’s the simplicity of these little ball planters that I find so appealing, and a little cluster of them in a corner would enhance any space.
Carnaby headboard by Love Your Home
Padded headboards are a double win as you not only get a beautiful shape above your bed, but by choosing a patterned fabric you’re going to add another level of interest to your room.
Venice glass pendant by Atkin & Thyme
If you want to bring a subtle organic silhouette to your room, then this clear glass pendant is pretty hard to beat. I love glass pendants as they sit unobtrusively against both paint and wallpaper.
So what do you think? To curve or not to curve?