Architecture: 10 Reasons to Consider Curved Walls Inside and Out
Leave the straight and narrow behind and bring some smooth character to your home and garden with curves, curls and bends
Jo Simmons
7 July 2015
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several books on design and numerous features for glossy homes mags over the years. For Houzz, I cover decorating ideas and trends and interview designers and professionals for their insights. My favourite pieces to write, though, are Houzz Tours, as I love exploring and learning about real homes. Call me curious — or nosy!
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several... More
Imagine the walls of a room or the boundary of a small city garden and we tend to think of something solid and straight. But while straight walls deliver crisp, clean lines and are easy to work with, curved walls offer something rather different. They may not be as common, but walls that curve and bend automatically bring a sense of flow and energy to a room.
Sometimes, the curves are built into the architecture of the building and must be cleverly incorporated into the room scheme. Often, though, a curved wall can be added to act as a foil to strong, vertical and horizontal lines, or as a partition or zoning device, softly dividing a space without looking obtrusive. Smooth, curling lines can improve functionality and boost good feeling, both inside and out, so take inspiration from these inspiring spaces, which have curves in all the right places.
Sometimes, the curves are built into the architecture of the building and must be cleverly incorporated into the room scheme. Often, though, a curved wall can be added to act as a foil to strong, vertical and horizontal lines, or as a partition or zoning device, softly dividing a space without looking obtrusive. Smooth, curling lines can improve functionality and boost good feeling, both inside and out, so take inspiration from these inspiring spaces, which have curves in all the right places.
Accentuate existing lines
Sometimes, it’s the architecture of the building that curves. If you live in a home with soft rather than straight lines, work with them. Long, bold horizontal shapes draw attention to the curving wall in this apartment and lead the eye around the space.
Explore another kitchen with curves and character
Sometimes, it’s the architecture of the building that curves. If you live in a home with soft rather than straight lines, work with them. Long, bold horizontal shapes draw attention to the curving wall in this apartment and lead the eye around the space.
Explore another kitchen with curves and character
Smooth vertical lines
Adding curves at the junction of what would be a 90 degree angle softens the transition from horizontal to vertical. This beautiful water feature set in a curved wall gives a sense of movement and flow to a simple garden.
Adding curves at the junction of what would be a 90 degree angle softens the transition from horizontal to vertical. This beautiful water feature set in a curved wall gives a sense of movement and flow to a simple garden.
Separate space
Constructing a curved wall between two rooms is a playful way to break up an open-plan space and create privacy. Here, the curve bends in towards the living space, giving it a cosy, sociable feel.
Constructing a curved wall between two rooms is a playful way to break up an open-plan space and create privacy. Here, the curve bends in towards the living space, giving it a cosy, sociable feel.
Create privacy
This softly bending wall, covered with dark mosaics, provides privacy for the bath that nestles into it on the other side. This dividing wall has curves in all areas, looking more like a drop of water than a conventional divide. It’s handsome, playful and practical, too.
This softly bending wall, covered with dark mosaics, provides privacy for the bath that nestles into it on the other side. This dividing wall has curves in all areas, looking more like a drop of water than a conventional divide. It’s handsome, playful and practical, too.
Soften an extension
Glass-box extensions are, typically, box-like, which means they have strong lines and sharp angles. This beautiful extension demonstrates a softer alternative – curves! The rounded lines give it a more organic feel and echo the shape of the bay windows on the house.
Browse more ideas for glass-box extensions
Glass-box extensions are, typically, box-like, which means they have strong lines and sharp angles. This beautiful extension demonstrates a softer alternative – curves! The rounded lines give it a more organic feel and echo the shape of the bay windows on the house.
Browse more ideas for glass-box extensions
Reduce impact
When the ground floor of this house was opened up, the cloakroom that had lived in the corner needed to be moved. Now it lives in a more central location, but its curved walls make it a harmonious feature, rather than a blocky obstruction.
When the ground floor of this house was opened up, the cloakroom that had lived in the corner needed to be moved. Now it lives in a more central location, but its curved walls make it a harmonious feature, rather than a blocky obstruction.
Mix with strong lines
The strong lines of this modernist extension and the kitchen within it are balanced nicely by a small, curving deck area. The rendered wall that bends around it acts both as seating and as a retaining wall for the planting behind, but it also works as a beautiful foil to the house’s bold architecture.
The strong lines of this modernist extension and the kitchen within it are balanced nicely by a small, curving deck area. The rendered wall that bends around it acts both as seating and as a retaining wall for the planting behind, but it also works as a beautiful foil to the house’s bold architecture.
Bring in a bend
Even the most modest curve can soften up a space, adding a pinch of quirkiness and surprise. The curve on the borders of this bedroom also seem to draw you towards the rooms beyond, aiding the open-plan feel of this suite.
Even the most modest curve can soften up a space, adding a pinch of quirkiness and surprise. The curve on the borders of this bedroom also seem to draw you towards the rooms beyond, aiding the open-plan feel of this suite.
Zone creatively
A curved bank of units helps separate this kitchen from the living space, a few steps below. The back of the bank is faced with American walnut, so that from the living space, you see a smooth, flowing and warm divide.
On the kitchen side, the cabinets have crisp white doors. A straight run of units here might have looked forbidding and too much like a wall. This curved bank, on the other hand, seems to invite movement between the two spaces.
Explore more design ideas for open-plan living
A curved bank of units helps separate this kitchen from the living space, a few steps below. The back of the bank is faced with American walnut, so that from the living space, you see a smooth, flowing and warm divide.
On the kitchen side, the cabinets have crisp white doors. A straight run of units here might have looked forbidding and too much like a wall. This curved bank, on the other hand, seems to invite movement between the two spaces.
Explore more design ideas for open-plan living
Look up and down
A wall that undulates as it rises makes a striking addition to a space, drawing the eye up and down. Part artwork, part ingenious feature wall, it brings energy and originality to a room. Here, a wave-like wall is teamed with a curving sofa for maximum movement.
TELL US…
What do you think of curved walls? Have you incorporated one in your home? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
A wall that undulates as it rises makes a striking addition to a space, drawing the eye up and down. Part artwork, part ingenious feature wall, it brings energy and originality to a room. Here, a wave-like wall is teamed with a curving sofa for maximum movement.
TELL US…
What do you think of curved walls? Have you incorporated one in your home? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
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I am renovating a bedroom which has king size bed and towards its opposite right side a curved wall. I was using entire curved space as dressing table till now but wish to change the usage of curved wall for a different feel. Kindly advice or share some articles/blogs over the same. Many thanks!
Having curved surfaces will become more popular as there are some acoustic properties as well as aesthetic in as much as they deflect sound. In cities - with hard surfaces and 90 degree angles made from highly reflective materials - sound pollution is now a problem. Combining curved surfaces with a textured finish with plant panels will not only look good - but cut reflected noise down considerably too. Good article Joanna.
I'm designing an institution entirely with curves. It looks easy to think of but when actually deigning it its so hard to think of how to structurally make it possible. If you have any ideas on what materials to use in planning curved beams(in plan) please suggest. As the entire plan is based on an ellipse its not much curvy, still beams are a problem for big spans. And its a real hassle for beginners.