The Beauty and Significance of Curves in Interior Design

When it comes to interior design, there are a variety of design elements that can be used to create an interesting and visually appealing space. One such element is curvature. Arches in interior design and curved furniture are not just aesthetically pleasing but also serve a purpose in creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. In this article, we will explore the symbolism of arches in design, their use in interior design, the history of arches, and the benefits of curved furniture. Additionally, we will expand on the importance of curvature in interior design, including its definition, why it is used, and how it can be incorporated into design projects.

What is Organic Design? What is Curve Design?

Organic design refers to the use of natural forms, such as curves and arches, to create a space that feels harmonious with the environment. softlines, or curved surface forms, are essential in achieving an organic feel. In interior design, soft lines are often seen in curved furniture, which creates a sense of comfort and relaxation.

Curve design, or curved design, refers to the use of curved lines or shapes in design projects. This design element is often used to create soft silhouettes in interior design, which can help to create a relaxing and inviting space. Curved lines can also help to break up the monotony of straight lines and add interest to a room.

Curves are used in interior design for a variety of reasons. One of the primary reasons is that they can help to create a more organic and natural feel in a space. Additionally, curved lines can help to create a sense of movement and flow, which can make a room feel more dynamic and interesting. Curves can also be used to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to a space.

Importance of Arches in Interior Design

Arches have been used in architecture and design for centuries and hold significant symbolic value. They represent strength and stability, and in some cultures, they are associated with the divine. Arches also have historical significance, as they were used in ancient times to support large structures.

There are four main types of arches: round, pointed, horseshoe, and lancet. Each type has a unique shape and can be used to create different effects in interior design. Round arches are often used in Mediterranean and traditional styles, for example, while pointed arches are popular in Gothic architecture.

Arches in design are used to create a sense of grandeur and stability. They draw the eye upward, making spaces appear larger and more open. The arch shape is often associated with elegance and sophistication, making it a popular choice in interior design.

The use of arches in interior design is prevalent in many styles. Arches can be found in doorways, windows, and even in the architecture of the ceiling. The natural flow of a space is enhanced when arches are used, making the room feel more inviting.

Utilizing Curved walls in Interior Design

Curved walls can offer a variety of benefits in interior design. One of the primary benefits is that they can help to create a more natural and organic feel in a space. Curved walls can also help to soften the edges of a room, creating a more inviting and welcoming atmosphere. Additionally, curved walls can help to improve the flow of a space, making it easier to move from one area to another.

The advantage of curve design is that it can help to create a more interesting and visually appealing space. Curved lines can help to break up the monotony of straight lines, adding interest and movement to a room. Additionally, curve design can help to create a more natural and organic feel in a space, making it feel more comfortable and relaxing.

Curved Design Projects & Designers known for using curves

There are many examples of interior design projects that incorporate curves, and also many interior designers that are known for using organic forms and other curves, in their designs. Here are a few examples of curved projects that we think will inspire you!

Sasha Bikoff: Kips Bay Decorator Show House

Sasha Bikoff is known for her flawless execution of bold and colourful maximalist designs that incorporate curves sculpted by her vast worldly exploits and experiences. Using a keen understanding of design and culture, Bikoff creates spaces based on her client’s passions and inspirations. For Bikoff, interiors represent more than just living spaces: They evoke a distinguished lifestyle, offering individuals the unique opportunity to turn their homes into eclectic, creative oases.

Since 1973 interior designers have been annually invited to transform a Manhattan home into an exhibition of design, art, and technology. while the kips bay decorator show house project was initially launched to raise funds for enrichment programs for new york city children, it had grown over four decades into a trend-setting event attended by thousands of designers and enthusiasts. this year Sasha had been presented with the opportunity to redesign the stairway of the famed showhouse.

Sasha Bikoff holds that design should be as fun as it is both worldly and intellectual. The vivid colours, curved furniture, and patterns of the 1980s design movement juxtapose the old-world European traditional architecture of the show house. Additionally, the dynamism, or sense of movement, evoked by these shapes plays into the circulatory nature of the staircase.

Kelly Wearstler: Downtown Los Angeles Proper

Kelly Wearstler is known for her use of organic and curved shapes in her interior design projects. Through an exploration of materiality, colour, forms and an intuitive juxtaposition of contemporary and vintage, architectural and organic, graphic and instinctual, she curates a wealth of experiences into every space.

Kelly Wearstler’s Downtown LA Proper manifests a melding of mood and festive energy into a historic California Renaissance Revival building. Vibrancy resonates with global influences - Mexican modernism with an infusion of French, Portuguese, Spanish and Moroccan design elements - that authentically situate the 147-room landmark in its city’s multi-cultural roots.

Vintage hand-carved furnishings and handcrafted rugs, ornate vintage and custom tiles, rich woods and the strong sculptural detailing of the property and original architecture form a melange of fresh eclecticism with fantastical hand-fashioned custom designs all created by local Los Angeles artisans.

Designed as transportive experiences, the rooms layer curated custom furnishings with meaningful art and handicrafts created exclusively by local artists.

Chris Precht: Hong kun Art Gallery

Chris Precht is another young designer of a new generation of architects who speak with a fresh voice, oriented towards a more ecological future. Utilizing organic forms and curve surfaces, his work uses natural materials with a low carbon footprint and is designed to give back space to nature and offer areas for gardening.

Located on the southern 3rd ring road in Beijing, the white exterior of the Hongkun Art Gallery works as a sculptural focal point for the area. Entering the gallery through an opening in the monolithic facade, the arch-like curves continue to the interior and gently merge into a clean white space for exhibiting the artworks. The open areas in the gallery offer a wide space for themed exhibitions, while the gently curved entrance part draws people into the space and guides them naturally further into the gallery. The solid expression of the exterior continually merges with a carved-out interior and increases the sculptural appearance of the gallery. Multiple arches altering in size and orientation create a continuous, gentle curve which becomes a sculptural interpretation of the landscape paintings, that are exhibited in the gallery.

Curve Furniture in 2023

Curved furniture is a popular choice in interior design and for good reason. They also add visual interest to a space and soften the harsh angles of other furniture pieces. Here is a list of other curve furniture that is trending this year:

Sofas

Curved sofas are comfortable, promote conversation, and can be space-saving. Their unique shape fits the natural curve of the human body, making them an excellent choice for creating intimate conversation areas and promoting good posture. They also add visual interest to a room and can help break up the harsh angles of other furniture pieces. Additionally, their curved shape can be space-saving and draw attention to architectural features.

Chairs

Curve chairs, like curved sofas, are designed to fit the natural curve of the human body, providing excellent lumbar support and promoting good posture. They are comfortable and can be used to create an intimate seating area, encouraging conversation and connection. The unique shape geometric design of curve chairs can help soften the harsh angles of other furniture pieces.

Mirrors

Curved mirrors have several benefits that make them a popular choice in interior design. The curved shape of a mirror adds visual interest to a space and can help soften the harsh lines of other furniture pieces. Curved mirrors can also create a sense of depth and provide a wider field of view than flat mirrors. Additionally, they can be used to reflect light and create a brighter, more welcoming atmosphere in a room.

Storage Cabinets / Shelving

The unique shape of curved cabinets can draw attention to architectural features and can create a focal point in a room. Curved storage cabinets are versatile and can be used in a variety of spaces, including living rooms, bedrooms, and dining areas.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the use of curvature in interior design can offer a variety of benefits. Curved lines and shapes can help to create a more dynamic and interesting space, while also adding a touch of elegance and sophistication. By incorporating curves into the design projects, designers can create a more organic and natural feel, making a space feel more relaxing and inviting. Whether in the form of furniture design, architectural elements, or decorative features, curves can add interest and movement to a room, making it a key element in interior design.

Overall, it is clear that curve design is an essential aspect of interior design, offering a range of benefits that can help to create a more visually appealing and inviting space. By using curves in the right way, designers can create spaces that are both beautiful and functional, enhancing the quality of life for both clients and those who inhabit them.

Highlighting Artterra Artists:

Natural Curves and forms are also a great inspiration to many artists.

Erica Mattson

Through mediums like drawing, printmaking, and painting, Arterra artist Erica Mattson explores simple lines and shapes using colours and forms found in the natural world. Erica draws inspiration from plants and the unrushed work of nature and uses slow, repetitive, meditative processes like printmaking, accumulation drawing, and slow painting to explore botanical, abstract, and geometric forms.

"My studio practice is often brief and intermittent due to the demands of work and parenting, but it persists! Art is a necessary tool in my life – a mode of sanity-seeking and self-care, a sacred and unhurried space for healing and reflection, and a way to let myself grow.

My current work, a series titled Float or Fall, focuses on themes of healing, adaptability, connection, and renewal as expressed through a set of drawings, hand-pulled linocut prints, photography, and mixed media work. Seeds, dead and decaying plant matter and seasonal cycles of light, growth, renewal, and rest are reflected through simple lines, meditative mark-making, and still life assemblages. This body of work has been developing slowly over the last few years as part of a re-emergence into artistic practice after a long period of dormancy."

Blue Flow is a small print that was created during a precious moment of relative peace and calm, shortly after taking up art making again after a long time away. It represents a state of flow that is alive with energy, balance, and creativity.

Gina Jacklin

Another Arterra artist that takes inspiration from organic forms is Gina Jacklin. Gina Jacklin's work seeks to unveil the beauty of life unseen from a scientific lens that, together with a Christ-centred perspective, strives to convey the concept that all life forms have been expertly created. Through the complexity and design of even the smallest and seemingly insignificant organisms, intrinsic purpose, intellect, and beauty are highlighted.

The ultimate aim of Gina's work is to spark a sense of joy, hope, and wonder in viewers by offering a glimpse into the intricate and fascinating world of microorganisms. The combination of a scientific lens and a Christ-centered perspective creates a unique perspective that highlights the beauty and purpose found in all life forms, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant.

"My wall sculptures unveil the forms and textures of plant structures as seen from a microscope, but through clay, and in sculptural form. I am captivated by the process of translating two-dimensional micrograph renderings, into three-dimensional objects that resemble prehistoric impressions of preserved organisms and which strive to capture a glimpse of a Grand creation event or prehistoric moment in time."

Explore more artterra artists' amazing work on our website!

Megan Barrientos is a multidisciplinary designer and grad student pursuing her Masters degree in Architecture. Prior to her enrolment, Megan graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Interior Design and worked with several Designers in art installations, exhibition, office, and retail design projects. She is now working with artterra in writing newsletters and blog posts for Interior Designers. Whether it's websites, graphics, animation, furniture, or spaces, Megan loves to design projects that tell new or untold stories. She gets most excited on projects that discuss cultural preservation, heritage, and community engagement.