11 Contemporary Ways With Curves
Well-placed curves add softness and interest to your home – here are 11 decorative and architectural ideas to try
There’s much to love about a good curve; from perfect circles to organic shapes, they can soften harsh lines in a room and gently draw the eye to a focal point. Looking for ways to incorporate one of this year’s hottest design trends into your home? Here are 11 contemporary ideas to consider, as seen in design-led homes on Houzz around the world.
2. Take curves outside
Add a sense of movement to your garden or courtyard – and reflect the lines found in nature – by specifying circular or curved elements in a garden or courtyard space rather than ones with harsh, straight lines. Luigi Rosselli Architects has done exactly that in this Sydney home.
Add a sense of movement to your garden or courtyard – and reflect the lines found in nature – by specifying circular or curved elements in a garden or courtyard space rather than ones with harsh, straight lines. Luigi Rosselli Architects has done exactly that in this Sydney home.
3. Create a dramatic feature
A curved staircase is a great space-saving option if your entrance or hallway is on the small side. Clad it in a material that contrasts with your floor, such as the timber stairway and concrete floor combo in this Melbourne home by Steffen Welsch Architects. Rather than blending into the background, it becomes a show-stopping feature.
Eager to embrace the curved look in your own home? Find a local architect on Houzz to help make it happen
A curved staircase is a great space-saving option if your entrance or hallway is on the small side. Clad it in a material that contrasts with your floor, such as the timber stairway and concrete floor combo in this Melbourne home by Steffen Welsch Architects. Rather than blending into the background, it becomes a show-stopping feature.
Eager to embrace the curved look in your own home? Find a local architect on Houzz to help make it happen
4. Curves as art
Take a leaf out of designer Nicholas Kaiko’s book (principal of Kaiko Design Interiors) and add an arc to a portion of your upper kitchen cabinetry in a way that mimics a work of art.
Finishing the arc in textured plaster (Dulux Venetian Plaster Tonachino) in deep terracotta ensures that it stands out from the pale timber cabinetry in this Sydney kitchen, while the deep reveal adds eye-catching shadows throughout the day.
Take a leaf out of designer Nicholas Kaiko’s book (principal of Kaiko Design Interiors) and add an arc to a portion of your upper kitchen cabinetry in a way that mimics a work of art.
Finishing the arc in textured plaster (Dulux Venetian Plaster Tonachino) in deep terracotta ensures that it stands out from the pale timber cabinetry in this Sydney kitchen, while the deep reveal adds eye-catching shadows throughout the day.
5. Frame a view
If you’re the sort to keep your butler’s pantry meticulously tidy, dispense with a door and instead opt for an open archway to showcase your enviable organisation skills. In this Canberra kitchen by ACT Renovations, the storage jars and baskets in the pantry create texture and interest that balances out the minimalist kitchen.
If you’re the sort to keep your butler’s pantry meticulously tidy, dispense with a door and instead opt for an open archway to showcase your enviable organisation skills. In this Canberra kitchen by ACT Renovations, the storage jars and baskets in the pantry create texture and interest that balances out the minimalist kitchen.
6. Add a curved ceiling
Concrete is hugely popular in interiors right now, cropping up in everything from floors and kitchen benchops to ceilings. But this versatile material has a tendency to look a tad cold and utilitarian. Soften the industrial edge of a concrete ceiling, as the team at Killing Matt Woods has done here in this Sydney home, by specifying softly curved corners.
Concrete is hugely popular in interiors right now, cropping up in everything from floors and kitchen benchops to ceilings. But this versatile material has a tendency to look a tad cold and utilitarian. Soften the industrial edge of a concrete ceiling, as the team at Killing Matt Woods has done here in this Sydney home, by specifying softly curved corners.
7. Make it comfy with curvy furniture
If you’re looking to add a cosy and inviting feel to your living area, consider adding one or two pieces of curvaceous furniture into the mix. A curvy, deep-seated sofa cries out to be curled up in with a good book or a glass of wine (or both!), while its shape softens the sharp lines in a room and encourages traffic flow through.
If you want your curvy piece to be the focal point of the room, specify a bold colour that contrasts with your walls and floor, such as the deep-hued, upholstered sofa the designer has chosen here.
If you’re looking to add a cosy and inviting feel to your living area, consider adding one or two pieces of curvaceous furniture into the mix. A curvy, deep-seated sofa cries out to be curled up in with a good book or a glass of wine (or both!), while its shape softens the sharp lines in a room and encourages traffic flow through.
If you want your curvy piece to be the focal point of the room, specify a bold colour that contrasts with your walls and floor, such as the deep-hued, upholstered sofa the designer has chosen here.
8. Soften the end of an island
Add texture and interest to a plain kitchen island – and make it the focal point of an open-plan room – by adding a decorative, curved end. Kitchens are notorious for their sharp, rigid lines, and you’ll find that it’s also a great way to help soften the space.
For look-at-me impact, choose a style that is different to your main benchtop material, such as this pale-grey fluted end, which contrasts with the flat, inky cabinetry.
Browse more stunning, contemporary Australian kitchens on Houzz
Add texture and interest to a plain kitchen island – and make it the focal point of an open-plan room – by adding a decorative, curved end. Kitchens are notorious for their sharp, rigid lines, and you’ll find that it’s also a great way to help soften the space.
For look-at-me impact, choose a style that is different to your main benchtop material, such as this pale-grey fluted end, which contrasts with the flat, inky cabinetry.
Browse more stunning, contemporary Australian kitchens on Houzz
9. Maximise space in a small or tricky bathroom
We’ve noticed curvy walk-in showers cropping up increasingly regularly in the design world, and it’s easy to see the appeal – they allow you to make practical use of an awkward corner of your bathroom, while creating an unexpected decorative highlight. A case in point is this Sydney bathroom by CplusC Architectural Workshop.
If this is a look you’re keen to try, be aware that curved walls can be tricky to tile. If you want a seamless finish, this is one job left to an experienced professional.
We’ve noticed curvy walk-in showers cropping up increasingly regularly in the design world, and it’s easy to see the appeal – they allow you to make practical use of an awkward corner of your bathroom, while creating an unexpected decorative highlight. A case in point is this Sydney bathroom by CplusC Architectural Workshop.
If this is a look you’re keen to try, be aware that curved walls can be tricky to tile. If you want a seamless finish, this is one job left to an experienced professional.
10. Add impact to a ceiling
Spice up your ceilings with some curvy moulding, like the designers have done in this luxurious bedroom in Phoenix, USA.
An ornate ceiling like this is best balanced out with a simple scheme below – think bedding in block colours, graphic artworks and minimal wall and floor detailing.
Spice up your ceilings with some curvy moulding, like the designers have done in this luxurious bedroom in Phoenix, USA.
An ornate ceiling like this is best balanced out with a simple scheme below – think bedding in block colours, graphic artworks and minimal wall and floor detailing.
11. Guide the eye to a view
Take a tip from design experts and use careful placement of architectural curves to guide your eye towards a view. This home in Melbourne, Victoria, built by Clancy Constructions, has curves in the ceiling, fireplace and even the round-edged furniture. Each curve gently draws the eye towards the spectacular bay window with built-in seating – the undeniable star of the space.
Your turn
Do you love curves in interiors? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images for inspiration, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want more decorating inspiration? Don’t miss this Before & After: From Dark-Cluttered to Calm-Nordic Living Area
Take a tip from design experts and use careful placement of architectural curves to guide your eye towards a view. This home in Melbourne, Victoria, built by Clancy Constructions, has curves in the ceiling, fireplace and even the round-edged furniture. Each curve gently draws the eye towards the spectacular bay window with built-in seating – the undeniable star of the space.
Your turn
Do you love curves in interiors? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images for inspiration, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want more decorating inspiration? Don’t miss this Before & After: From Dark-Cluttered to Calm-Nordic Living Area
In this renovated terrace in Sydney, NSW, architect Carter Williamson Architects has accentuated an archway with a deep steel reveal that leaves you in no doubt you’re crossing the threshold from the original part of the house to the contemporary new extension.
Painting the reveal in the same putty-pink shade as the upper portion of the kitchen wall adds a playful touch and ensures that the archway feels very much part of the new, modern space.