The Decades-Old, Once-Trendy Furniture That's Coming Back In Style

If we had to describe what's in or out with interior design, we'd say home decorating is like a pendulum. Straight lines and hard edges are in until we swing back to celebrate curved shapes in furniture, lights, fixtures, and more. The first wave of curved furniture in the last century appeared during the Art Deco era of the 1920s, and lucky, lucky you if you have any pieces in good shape from 100 years ago. More likely, you have trendy furnishings from the 1960s and 1970s, two decades in which rounded furniture and curvy, organic shapes were valued above the linear, boxy items made in the 1950s. Without a doubt these decades-old once-trendy shapes in furniture and accessories are coming back in style.

Just as earth tones are becoming more popular, so too are earth shapes. For years, monotone rooms featuring totally white or gray interiors with stiff edges made us feel like we were living in a lab. But now, gentle curves mimicking organic shapes, plucked directly from mother nature's playbook, is a movement bouncing back more fiercely than ever. It turns out we are hard-wired to living in the woods more than in a sterile, wholly man-made environment.

The largest pieces in your living room, dining room, or den are sure to have the biggest impact, so start by thinking about sofas in half-moon shapes, or chairs with rounded seats and curved backs. Unlike rectangular furniture, there's supposed to be a flow around circular shapes, so don't just push it up against a wall; be sure to give a bowed couch some room around all four sides. Chairs formed to mimic circles or ovals bring a sense of style but also comfort, offering a nest-like sense of coziness and ease.

In addition to adding curved furniture pieces in your home, don't forget about incorporating rounded lighting fixtures, or hanging a circle mirror anywhere from the foyer to the kitchen. Think accessories as well – from clocks to carpets you can achieve the organic modern aesthetic in your home. Just because you're looking to embrace the modern wave of, well, waves, there's no reason to abandon the furniture you already have and love. Curvy furniture balances out straight-edged, even angular pieces, and these shapes mix beautifully together. Keep an eye on how the shapes flow together and compliment each other. Be ready to experiment – to arrange and rearrange as needed until you achieve the look you want.