Curve Appeal: How To Decorate With Circles & Transform Your Home
Our homes have so many right angles. Straight lines are everywhere: doors, windows, wood floor boards, grout lines, furniture, shelving, cabinets, and appliances. So, with all these crisp edges, cue the curves to soften your space, keep your eyes moving round and round, and add visual interest. Here are some fool-proof ways to add circles to your home:
Round Tables
A round dining table adds a sophisticated and elegant touch to a dining room, especially a square one. It also creates a more intimate dining experience by allowing everyone at the table to face each other. To determine the size of your table, leave 42 to 48 inches between your table and the walls (or furniture along the border). To create a visually cohesive space, a round table needs other circular elements in the room: A round light fixture is a must, and my preference is to go as large as possible, which is ⅔ the diameter of your table; A round rug anchors the space and should extend at least 24" beyond the table, which leaves enough room to pull a chair out but still be on the rug; Adding round coffee tables and side tables to various other spaces is ideal because they connect different sitting areas or rooms by making the shape the consistent element throughout; Lastly, your table needs round plates and platters, and this is an excellent opportunity to have fun by adding in pieces that are eclectic, antique, or handmade.
A round dining table needs round decor and accessories. Notice the curved edges of the chairs, pendant, vase, and even in the artwork.
Circular Mirrors
Mirrors are not just for checking your fabulous reflection; they can also be fantastic decorative pieces. Hang a round mirror on your wall to create a focal point and reflect light, making your room appear brighter and more spacious. Place your mirror where it reflects a good view. A desired spot is opposite a window that will also reflect the natural light, making the room feel more open and airy. Pro-tip: Go big or go home and make a statement with an extra large-sized mirror!
Curves on repeat: The mirror, table lamp, and decorative accessories all work together to create a soft and inviting space.
I've curated a collection of my fave curved decor items just for YOU!. Shop here >>
Round Rugs
Make a statement by introducing a round rug. Use it to showcase another circular object like a round statement pendant above a round dining table, embrace curved architecture (e.g., a rounded bay window), define seating zones, and make a small room feel larger. One of my favorite design tricks, and a great way to add texture and color flow to your space, is to layer round rugs over an area rug or wall-to-wall carpeting.
Circular Art
Get creative with circular or organic-shaped artwork! Woven textiles or feather juju hats are my favorites to bring artistic flair to your walls and texture to your space. Try a collection of juju hats or baskets on a large wall in different sizes. Round artwork is incredibly impactful when used to visually complement rounded furniture and curved architectural elements like a fireplace surround or archway by making these elements feel like they belong.
Add color, texture, and a circular shape to your home with a feathered juju hat or basket collection. You’ll find a fab juju hat selection of sizes and colors on Etsy. The baskets shown are from MooMoo Designs and were spotted at were spotted the Shoppe Object show in NYC.
Round Pendants
Think outside the box and add a round or curved pendant above your sofa, seating areas, or bedroom. If you have super high ceilings, go for maximum eye candy with an extra large pendant, filling the ceiling space and making it more cozy and luxurious.
One mistake I consistently see is the pendant needing to be more significant for the area, so here is a foolproof formula for you to consider: Take the room's width and add that to the room's length, and the general size of your pendant is the sum of those two measurements. For example, if the room size is 12 feet by 10 feet, a nice size for the fixture in your living room is 22 inches in diameter. This formula helps you with proportion, but you don't have to use the exact measurement the calculation dictates and should feel free to go larger based on personal preference and what the surrounding space dictates.
I also love using rounded pendants in an eye-catching cluster of three sizes and hung at different heights or using them above a kitchen island, which is a nice contrast to all the right angles of the kitchen cabinetry and tiling.
A large round pendant from Oly Studio and a cluster of curved Nelson Bubble Lamps from Design Within Reach add so much drama to these spaces and fills in the high ceilings, which makes the room feel cozier.
Get Comfy With Curves
I recommend starting with small accessories if you still need to determine how this shape will work in your space. Add round pillows, vases, dish towels, and tableware. They'll provide a unique element of playfulness and help you gain the confidence to continue to add this shape to your home. Once you add a few circular items, your next step is to repeat them in different sizes, patterns, and materials throughout your space to create a dynamic visual flow.
Add a round pillow to your space to keep the eye moving and soften the right angles.
Shop My Curated Collection of Curved Items
Welcome to my Design Shop! I’ve put together this curated collection of curved items just for you. You’ll be purchasing items through my Trade Vendor, and I receive a small commission for each item you buy. Use Coupon Code: spinpin
Incorporating circles into your home decor is all about embracing the joy of curves. So, get creative as you experiment with different circular elements that suit your style and taste because life is too short to be boxed in by square corners.
Live life in color!
xx, Debra
This post was inspired by circles spotted during my travels, shopping trips, and hikes.
Images left to right: Pena Palace {Sintra, Portugal} • Cardboard fabric tubes {Banksville Designer Fabrics, Norwalk, CT} • Door {TWA Lounge, NYC} • Fallen Log {Mountain Lakes Trail, Ridgefield, CT} • Pendant Cluster {Design Within Reach, Westport, CT} • Yayoi Kusama Pumpkin {Hirshhorn, Washington, DC} • Flower {New England Botanical Gardens} • Basket collection {MooMooDesigns} • Blog Cover Photo: {Agahazo African Baskets}
