Straight Lines Are So Passé – 16 Pieces of Wavy Furniture That Make Playing It Safe Look a Little Boring
From billowing bookshelves to sinuous stools, these silhouettes don’t take themselves too seriously
It’s hard to get too entrenched in the annoyances of adult life when your seat has a case of the wiggles. For a certain set of good-humored interior designers, wavy furniture has become a kind of shortcut to playfulness – a reminder not to treat life, or design, so seriously.
That’s certainly the case inside a London family home by Gunter & Co, where designer Irene Gunter reworked an awkward, aging layout with a lighter touch, tempering antique references with the deliberate whimsy of Studio Sam’s Astoria dining chairs, their wavy backs echoing the controlled irregularity of the Noguchi Museum in New York.
And sure enough, this joie de vivre ripples across the pond. New-school, fun-loving brands like Society Social are all in on the furniture trend, with wavy consoles, upholstered stools, and lounge chairs that refuse to sit straight, while fun-loving brand Urban Outfitters, reliably on the pulse, has a new cult favorite: a low-slung, scalloped three-seater designed for big laughs in small spaces.
The wave trend may have once felt a touch childish, but in this Gunter & Co–designed London dining room – an ode to Parisian sensibilities, with rich red vitrine tiles, pale pink cabinetry, and powder-coated green metal doors – the effect is entirely otherwise.
If there’s a lesson here, it’s this: where they go straight, you swerve. Ahead, 16 unexpected pieces of wavy furniture to bring a little more movement – and a lot more joy – to your daily routine.
The Cut is all about Homes & Gardens helping you invest in pieces that feel current now, but won’t date as trends shift. Finds that elevate a room today and still feel right years from now. Whether it’s a sculptural accent chair or a chic pendant light, our editors will curate an edit that balances style, longevity, and quality. Consider this your shortcut to smart, beautiful shopping.
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Julia Demer is a New York–based Style Editor at Homes & Gardens with a sharp eye for where fashion meets interiors. Having cut her teeth at L’Officiel USA and The Row before pivoting into homes, she believes great style is universal – whether it’s a perfect outfit, a stunning room, or the ultimate set of sheets. Passionate about art, travel, and pop culture, Julia brings a global, insider perspective to every story.