THE JOURNAL
Photograph by Bryan O’Sullivan/James McDonald
Curved lines in interior design have been going round in circles in recent years. So, how do you bring shapely forms into your space in a way that feels fresh, yet timeless, for 2025 – and why should you? Below, five designers and architects make the case for curves and share their best techniques.
Photographs courtesy of Buchanan Studio
01. Shake up symmetry
“Most interiors that we inhabit will have been designed around some fundamental straight lines and symmetry,” says Angus Buchanan, founder and creative director of Buchanan Studio. “We are surrounded by straight walls, rugs, furniture, framed pictures, bricks. Conversely, as soon as we bring in curves and natural shapes as a contrast to these hard, straight-lined environments, spaces can start to really sing. You create contrast and juxtaposition, a point of difference. Even just using simple curves will make a big impact into a room – something like a large round table can add softness and beauty.”
02. Embrace comfort
“Beyond aesthetics, curved lines create a sense of intimacy,” says designer Bryan O’Sullivan. “Whether it’s a subtly arched doorway or a sweeping banquette, these shapes help foster a feeling of comfort and enclosure. I often use curves in seating arrangements – banquettes envelop you and create more natural conversation areas, and sculpted counters invite lingering.”
Photographs by Bryan O’Sullivan/James McDonald
03. Go with the flow
“Curved lines bring a sense of fluidity, warmth and movement to interiors,” O’Sullivan says. “There’s something inherently inviting about a space that embraces curves. They soften the overall feel, making a room more tactile and experiential. They also encourage a natural flow, drawing the eye from one area to another, which can make a space feel more harmonious. I love integrating curves through architectural details, whether it’s a rounded wall, an arched threshold, or bespoke joinery that plays with organic shapes.”
04. Think about the material
“A curve should be worked into a material that can take on the shape without being forced,” says Luke McLaren of the London-based architecture firm McLaren.Excell. “There should be a sensual quality when it is done right. Stone, molten metal, wood and concrete are all materials which naturally work well when curved, and are often enhanced by a curve.”
“Curves work particularly well in materials with a natural tactility,” O’Sullivan says. “Whether it’s undulating stone surfaces, deeply grained woods or velvety upholstery. It’s about making the space feel as good as it looks.”
Photograph by Bryan O’Sullivan/James McDonald
05. Embrace generosity and go big
“Curves can create a more calming space,” says the interior designer Pandora Taylor. “They feel more considered, whether it’s a detail on the edge of a shelf or a slightly arched top to a bookcase. Breaking the straight line feels more generous and thoughtful. I love to use arched openings instead of doors as they feel so elegant to walk through, and curving off walls in entrance halls and corridors can help to make tight spaces feel more manageable.”
While scallops have dominated for the past five years, Taylor thinks 2025 “is more about large, curved furniture – and I don’t mean just a curved sofa, but plump, rounded armchairs and oversized shapes, inspired by mid-century designs.”
Photographs courtesy of Pandora Taylor
06. Don’t overuse them
Curves should be used sparingly, “otherwise they quickly become too much of a good thing,” McLaren says. “When done right, without becoming gratuitous, a curve can be a sensuous moment of aesthetic or tactile joy. Our design work is characterised by strong architectural forms which prioritise composition, shadow and texture. Within this framework, a curved line can be a compelling counterpoint.”
“Use curves carefully,” Buchanan says. “As the age-old adage says, less is more. Selecting a curved item (or a few at most) can be all that a room needs to lift the overall feeling. The curved trends of the 1960s look so recognisable as there were curves layered on curves. As wonderful as this was, for a more timeless style, it’s about bringing some key items for contrast, but not so much that they start to take over.”
Photograph courtesy of Tom Faulker
07. Look to nature
“It’s odd that as humans, we encounter so many straight lines and rectangles in our lives when there are so few in nature,” says the furniture designer Tom Faulkner. “I take a lot of inspiration from nature and have always loved curved lines. Curves add dynamism and energy to any space. They can be surprising, reassuring and suggest safety and pleasure. Gaudí, the great Spanish architect, apparently once said: ‘The straight line belongs to men, the curved one to God’.”
08. Let curves take you by surprise
“We love to use curves in unexpected ways and unexpected places,” Buchanan says. “For instance, taking materials like marble or stainless steel, which are hard and often used in formulaic and functional ways, and utilising them in a soft, curved form. We recently created our Studio ottoman, made entirely from stainless steel, which really champions the curves and softness of the design, despite it being made in this very commercial and solid material.”
When they err on the side of surprising, McLaren thinks that the joy of curves is adding a welcome sense of fun. “We use them as a means to surprise in an unexpected way, or as a foil within an otherwise rectilinear space,” he says. “Humour is often an underutilised and under-appreciated weapon in architecture and a curve – in an understated way – can elicit a smile.”