Trend Alert - Curvy, Wavy, & Squiggly Décor
Geometric design has always been a fixture in design because, well, geometry. In recent years though, geometric design has meant a preference for a lot of triangular and rectilinear hard-edged forms in everything from logos to wall art to planters. Now however, the design world has seen a distinct shift towards more organic and sculptural forms that include curvy, wavy, and even squiggly.
In fact, both Chairish and Etsy released trend reports supporting these wavy claims. Etsy reported “Somewhere between a zig-zag and an arch, these motifs are showing up all over and shoppers are definitely taking note: there’s been a staggering 28,236% increase in searches for wavy candles and 5,296% increase in searches for wavy mirrors.”
After the year that was unlike no other, it’s not surprising that as we retreated into our nests (what choice did we have?) we also sought to feather our nests with curvy, organic, and cheerful over hard-edged. So let’s check out this fun, organic trend together!
Soft, curved, organic forms rule in Urban Outfitter’s Isobel bookshelf. Source | Urban Outfitters
Memphis Design Roots
The precedent for this look has the early-80s Memphis Design movement to thank. Memphis design was an Italian design and architecture group active from 1981-1987 that was formed as a reaction against the status quo at that time.
The 1950s & 60s mid-century modern and 1970s minimalism were about structure and straight lines. Memphis design essentially thumbed it’s nose what was considered conventional “good taste” at the time - all those rectilinear lines and subdued colors. The curvy geometric figures of Art Deco, the color palette of Pop Art, and 1950s kitsch all helped inspire this unusual aesthetic.
An example of a room furnished in the style of Memphis design. Credit - By Zanone - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia
If you’re old enough to remember 80s era shows like PeeWee’s Playhouse and Saved By The Bell, or the interior décor in Beetlejuice, then you’ve seen Memphis style incorporated into set design. I remember my first college dorm was clearly “under the influence” of Memphis design too, for better or worse. (Since it was officially the 90s by then, they were a bit late to the game.)
Love it or hate it, Memphis design was a thing for a while, and now it’s been resurrected, but with today’s much softer and more organic influence. Thank goodness! To each their own though - my 15 year old son cruised past my monitor with Memphis images on display and declared without hesitation, “Love it!” :)
The new geometric - organic, curvy, wavy, and even squiggly!
While you can see the roots of Memphis design in the current version of this interior trend, today’s style is so much more soft and organic by comparison; completely minus the hard, plastic-y edges and Fischer Price colors of before. Arches are also a defining trend, from actual architectural detail to furniture to artwork. And I don’t know about you, but not much makes me happier design-wise than a beautiful arch!
You can see the extrapolation of Memphis design thoroughly reinterpreted for today through the details in this beautiful German interior by Turkish architectural design firm Gulmen Interiors. Design | @gulmeninteriors
My first introduction to this curvy, wavy organic trend was at the Design Influencer’s Conference in San Francisco in early 2020. My first thought was “reinterpreted Art Deco - yay!” I’m an Art Deco fangirl and I loved these soft, velvety, pastel curves. Image | @greenhousestudioblog
Here’s another fun and softly organic + colorful conceptual design by Gulmen Interiors. Design | @gulmeninteriors
Experimenting with organic, curvy, and wavy décor
Ready to dip a toe into this one yourself? I think part of the fun of this trend is you don’t have to go big or go home. You can bring something small into your home to give your interiors a refresh without breaking the bank. Here are a few options for you to enjoy perusing:
TheMaye Arched Vases from Lulu and Georgia are too cute placed upon the travertine side table. Check out the post on travertine home decor and furniture - another 80s-based trend with skyrocketing search volume.
SHOP THE LOOK - ACCESSORIES
If you want to try something a bit more bold than a tabletop accessory, wall décor is a really fun way to go - many options and directions to go depending on the vibe you want to explore:
SHOP THE LOOK - WALL DECOR
So what do you think of all this wavy, curvy, and even squiggly organic décor? The more I look at it, the more it grows on me. When I look at some of the wall textiles, I still can’t help but immediately think of my parent’s large circular macramé wall hanging that was ever present when growing up, but the artwork, vases, and especially the lovely arches - I’m here for it. Leave a comment below letting me know your thoughts.
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Travertine Home Décor - 80s Trend Reinvented
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