Bubblecore: The Curvy Decor Trend That's Embracing Chic Bulk

As much as we love the youngest Powerpuff Girl sister, bubblecore isn't named after the precious and powerful pigtailed girl, Bubbles. Instead, bubblecore refers to an emerging interior design style that celebrates all things curvy, bubbly, knotty, lumpy, and bumpy. Bubblecore is somewhat similar to the wiggle and squiggle trend that's been dominating our Instagram feeds for a while now, but with a more voluptuous and three-dimensional take. Showing up in everything from vases to bean bag chairs to chandeliers, bubblecore seems to be floating its way into everyone's homes these days, perfectly complementing the resurgence of funky 1970s and 1980s designs.

Bubbles are playful and eye-catching by nature. They don't take themselves too seriously — just try to say "bubbles" with an angry face. As we continue to embrace fun, colorful, and eclectic interiors, it makes sense that a trend like bubblecore could come out to play. But what are the origins of this ethereal and wonderfully weird décor style? Here's how bubblecore has taken the design world by storm and how you can incorporate the cheerful trend into your space.

As you explore bubblecore, it's fair to wonder: Why has such an oddly specific trend gained so much steam? Some of the semblances of bubblecore emerged in the '70s and '80s when curved and modular furniture became a huge trend. Some readers may remember the iconic 2000s inflatable chair or the bean bag chair, the envy of many trend-savvy teens in the early aughts. As the decades rolled on, curvaceous and opulent designs slowly gave way to more traditional, straight-edge forms again, but the bubbly furniture trend was always waiting quietly for its next moment in the sun.

As with many trends from the '70s and '80s, curvy furniture has made its way back in style. Any time a trend comes back around into the general consciousness, it takes on a new edge — or should we say, no edge. Bubblecore pieces have virtually no sharp edges anywhere, or else they are artfully balanced to contrast the bubbly bits. Indeed, the inflatable chair of yesteryear has now found a new, more permanent place in modern adults' homes. Fans of bubblecore often have a flair for the nostalgic and an appreciation for other sensory trends like cleancore and mermaidcore. 

Whether you want to decorate the perfect Y2K inspired bedroom or embrace bubbles in a more mature, modern way, bubblecore has a wide range of options to explore. Not all bubblecore pieces have to be plastic, translucent, or colorful. In fact, bubblecore is much more about the shape of the individual pieces than it is about their color and texture. Bubbly, curvy furniture makes a big impact whether it's in a plush white sherpa or shiny red PVC material. Seungjin Yang is one creator who makes luxurious, colorful, and bubbly furniture pieces that double as works of art, but plenty of other designers make more neutral and flexible furniture. 

If you aren't sure about investing in a whole bubbly furniture piece, explore the trend with smaller décor items. Curvaceous candles, lamps, trinkets, vases, bowls, and more can also fit in with the bubblecore aesthetic, and they're a much more affordable and impermanent way to play around with the trend. Pop a bubble candle on your coffee table, install some artistic light fixtures, or listen to a cleancore playlist to set the mood and get creative making your own bubblecore pieces.