Our predictions for the top interior design trends for 2024 are out!

And one that we’re super excited about? Curves and arches…

…because curves and arches are design features that have been really dominating modern home designs for several years. These calming designs have featured in home and building architecture for centuries… and we think they’re here to stay.

There’s absolutely no denying how the aesthetics of curved walls, curved benchtops and arched windows make a modern home look. But did you know that adding curves in interior design and architecture has been proven to be stress-relieving, creating the added benefit of a calmer environment? Go figure!

So we’re going room-by-room to showcase some stylish ways you can add curves and arches into your modern home design — whether you’re tackling some DIY home design or planning your dream home from the studs up, we’ve got you covered.

Bathrooms With Curves

Want your new bathroom design to feel like a tranquil spa? Go for subtle curves and arches that soften the space and create just the right ambience.

From arched shower niches that exude sophistication to freestanding tubs with soft curves that invite you to unwind, curves and arches in bathroom design have the power to transform your daily routine into a luxurious, blissful escape.

It can be as simple as adding an arch bathroom mirror or a curved, floating vanity that not only saves space, but also elevates your overall bathroom aesthetic.

Curved Kitchen Designs

For the most part, when we imagine kitchen design, there are a lot of straight lines and rows of rectangular cabinetry.

But have you considered thinking outside the box so that your kitchen flows seamlessly, with rounded edges to promote easy movement and softer lines in the space?

Adding curved features to your kitchen design is both aesthetically pleasing and enhances functionality. Curved countertops create ergonomic workspaces, while the stunning curved bench seat design below transforms a kitchen benchtop into a multi-purpose eating space.

Z+S Tip • On a tight budget? Simple arched cabinet handles can add pattern and soften the straight lines in your kitchen storage and design.

Living Room Curves

When designing or planning your living room design, there are so many opportunities to include curves and arches, either in the architectural design of the room itself or through furniture, lighting and decor.

These design elements can add character, create a comfortable, cosy feeling, and also make your home look and feel more custom and high-end. Adding custom cabinetry or a fireplace into your living room is the perfect opportunity for incorporating an arch or curve in the design, which can visually break up straight lines and create a beautiful focal point for your space.

In terms of adding curves and arches through furniture, lighting and decor — the options are endless, but we recommend choosing just one or two stand-out pieces such as a sofa, coffee table or armchair so that your living room looks timeless rather than too trend-driven.

Bedrooms With Arches

We’ve already touched on the fact that curves and arches in design have a psychological effect on us, and one of the best rooms in the house to utilise that feeling of serenity is — you guessed it — the bedroom.

Other than making sure you invest in high-quality bed linen and keeping your favourite scented oil or room spray handy, how else can you create a zen bedroom ideal for a bit of R+R?

Think archways between the bedroom and the ensuite, curved headboards or ottomans, and even simple touches like an arched mirror that’s both practical and amps up your bedroom design.

Curved Cabinetry

Mastering your cabinetry design is vital to the success of your space and its functionality, and as it makes up a significant cost in your total project budget, it’s something you want to get right! Contemporary, timeless design is the way to go to ensure your bathroom, kitchen, study or wardrobe cabinetry stands the test of time.

Adding curves in your cabinetry is an effective way to add style and functionality to your room design, as it creates that instant designer aesthetic. You can see below that by matching curved vanities with other curved features like oval mirrors and round wall lights, these simple elements work harmoniously together and result in a balanced design.

To play into one of our other top interior design trend predictions for 2024 — Modern Mediterranean, these arched cabinets and built-in shelves below look like they’ve been carved from stone. They create an understated ‘wow’ factor — especially in custom joinery or small space designs, like an integrated home bar, laundry or console storage off a hallway.

Curved Walls

Spacious and cosy aren’t words we often associate together, but modern homes with curved walls definitely fall into these two categories.

Beyond the aesthetics — which we LOVE — curved walls improve acoustics, enhance natural lighting, and can even help with energy efficiency. They also help to lead you through a space seamlessly, optimising flow from one area to the other without hard corners or lines.

Utilising curved walls is perfect for a modern home because it creates a clean, minimalist look where you don’t need to worry about skirting boards or cornices because the unbroken curved line is a design star on its own.

Curved Furniture, Decor + Lighting

If you love curves and arches as much as we do but not looking to renovate or are currently renting your home, there are lots of ways to add the look and feel of curves without changing your existing home design.

Through furniture, decor and lighting selections, it’s completely possible to turn even the most rectangular of spaces into a cosy, curvilinear haven. Opt for curved lighting, like a beautiful, white, pendant light — that doesn’t steal focus but repeats the round curve of the oval dining table and seating.

Large pieces of furniture like dining tables or sofas are the way to go when you want bang for your curvy buck. Their large stature will offset straight lines in a room, where the triangular fireplace and rectangle windows are counter-balanced with lots of rounded edges in the furniture selections and smaller home decor accessories.

Curved Exteriors

Some of the most impressive uses of curves and arches that we’ve recently seen have actually been on the exterior of homes. We’re talking curved brick walls, arched windows and doors and sweeping rooflines that let you know we’re really living in a fantastic time for modern home architecture!

The shift to softer home exterior facades has been taking place for several years, and we predict it will only pick up the pace. Adding curves to your home’s facade allows you to achieve an interior and exterior that align and repeat the same design elements and patterns, to create an overall cohesive home interior design.

Thinking about curves when you’re designing your new home also opens up the opportunity to work in with your surroundings better — following the flowing natural line of a garden with your exterior wall or taking inspiration from rolling hills or crashing waves beyond and replicating your external design features.