When it comes to decorating a room, there's more to it than just choosing the right colors and furniture. The shapes of objects in your room play an important role in creating a visually interesting and dynamic space.

So why is it not good to have all squared off angles with furniture and decor?

For one, it can make a room feel static and uninviting.

When all the shapes in a room are the same, there's no sense of contrast or variation. Also, having all right angles and straight lines can make a room feel more confined and cramped. Introducing different shapes and forms can open the space and make it feel more dynamic and welcoming.

Varying shapes helps to break up the monotony of straight lines and right angles. A room that’s filled with only “boxy” furniture and decor can feel sterile and uninviting. All those straight lines over and over… But by incorporating subtle variations in shape, you break up all that “sameness,” which makes your room feel more dynamic.

In this post, I’ll show you how to vary the shapes and forms in your home with accent furniture, wall decor, and lighting.

Let’s talk about how switching up the shapes of your décor can help you get a more dynamic and inviting room.

How to Vary Your Lines with Furniture:

These days a lot of the choices for sofas and chairs seem to have straight arms and boxy frames. These kinds of shapes translate to lots of different modern design styes. But when every piece in the room has those straight, right angles, it gets predictable and dull.

So, when it comes to choosing something like the coffee table, for example, you can mix it up by adding in a round or oval shaped one that will contrast the straight lines and sharp angles of other items.

Rectangular and square coffee tables make navigating into and around tight spaces tough. The corners can be hard to squeeze by in many different seating configurations. You’ll likely have a chair that will sit angled or perpendicular to the sofa, making that interior pathway tight.

By choosing a circular or oval coffee table, you can add a subtle variation in shape that can make a significant difference in the overall feel of the room. And curves are much easier to walk around in tight spaces.

When it comes to seating, chairs and ottomans with curved arms, or a rounded back can add an organic feel to a room.

You can’t beat a barrel back swivel chair or tub chair for multi-functionality. You can swivel them toward a focal point, like a TV or fireplace, and swivel them toward another direction, such as the sofa or other conversation area. The rounded backs of these chairs make them ideal for fitting in corners or floating in a room. When floating, they’re easier to navigate around too because there are no sharp corners.

Aesthetically, these pieces can create a sense of movement and energy. They’re also more comfortable than chairs with straight lines because they conform to the natural curves of the body and give you comfortable support of your arms and back.

Barrel chairs work well in any room, from traditional to modern.

In a traditional space, they’ll add a sense of elegance and sophistication, while in a modern space, they provide a touch of playfulness and whimsy, and they can be used as accent pieces or as part of your main seating group.

So, go round or oval with your accent tables, especially coffee tables if you want a visually interesting and more functional space. Subtle variations in shape will add movement and energy to a room that’s heavy on straight lines and right angles. Also, if you're designing a traditional or modern space, try incorporating curved barrel style chairs to create a sense of balance and harmony because they’ll make your room feel more welcoming and comfortable.

Bring in Curved or Round Wall Art

Wall decor is an essential part of your room, and it's an excellent chance to incorporate different shapes.

Adding round mirrors is a great way to add a unique shape to your room's decor. They can be hung individually or in groups, and they come in a wide range of sizes and styles, from minimalist to ornate.

A large round mirror can serve as a statement piece and add a sense of drama to a room, while a smaller mirror can add a subtle touch of elegance.

The round shape adds in that much needed variation too. Square or Rectangular mirrors will just add more sharp angles to the room. Round ones add contrast to the other straight shapes and will feel more intentional and “designed,” which translates to interesting.

Wall sculptures are another great way to add different shapes and forms to your room's decor. Sculptures can be made from a wide range of materials, like metal, wood, glass, and more. They can be abstract or representational. A sculpture can serve as a focal point or an accent piece, and it can add depth and dimension to the space.

Clocks are also an excellent option for adding a unique shape to your room's decor. I’m a fan of BIG round clocks because they add instant drama to a larger blank wall and their shape is very pleasing because it adds additional dimension and variation.

So, wall decor is a crucial element in creating a visually interesting and dynamic room. A “gallery wall” with an eclectic mix of round mirrors, or statement pieces like curved, or rounded wall sculptures, or a large statement clock, will add variation and visually interesting vignettes to your room.

Add in Rounded or Curved Lighting

Lighting is an essential component of any room, and it plays a crucial role in shaping the overall aesthetic of the space. Beyond just providing light, lamps and other lighting fixtures can add opportunities to incorporate unique shapes and forms that help create visual interest and balance. In rooms with lots of straight lines and right angles, shapely lamps and light fixtures will help to break up that monotony.

A pendant light with a unique, organic shape can serve as a focal point and add visual interest to an otherwise plain ceiling. Choosing a pendant light with a unique shape or material will create a sense of drama and sophistication in the room.

Floor lamps with arched bases can add a sense of movement and energy to the corner or side of your main seating.

Table lamps can also be used to introduce different shapes. Picking a lamp with a round base to sit atop end tables can add in a much-needed different shape.

Also, oval or “flat” lamps fit better than round ones on console tables or demilunes because they won’t stick out as far. This is always important if the console table is in a pathway like a main entrance or along a wall where there’s a door to another room or hallway because they don’t overhang the edge of the table. They’re still just as functional, but they can be pushed back far enough so you don’t catch them as you walk by.

By incorporating fixtures with unique shapes and forms, you can add movement and energy to your space. “Rounded” fixtures can help to create a sense of balance and harmony that will make the room feel more welcoming and comfortable.

To sum up, varying the shapes and forms in a room is a crucial element to creating a visually interesting and dynamic space. By incorporating different shapes and forms into furniture, wall decor, and lighting, you can create a sense of balance and harmony that will make the room feel more inviting and comfortable.

Rooms with lots of straight lines and right angles can feel boxy and uninviting, but by adding subtle variations in form, such as a circular or oval coffee table or a chair with curved arms or a rounded back, you can create a sense of movement and energy that will make the room feel more dynamic.
Wall decor, like round mirrors, wall sculptures, and clocks, can also be used to incorporate different shapes and forms into your room's look. Some of these elements can serve as focal points or accent pieces to add depth, dimension, and interest to your room.
Pendant lights with unique, organic forms or floor lamps with curved or arched bases, can also be used to add movement and energy to a room. They’ll help to break up the monotony of straight lines and right angles to create a sense of balance and harmony that will make the room feel more welcoming and comfortable.

Overall, by varying the shapes and forms in a room, you’ll create a space that’s not only visually interesting but also comfortable and inviting.

With a little creativity and attention to detail, you can transform even the most boxy and uninviting room into a warm and welcoming space that you'll love spending time in.

Now it’s your turn. What other types of rounded elements do you have in your home that break up all those long, straight lines? Leave me a comment below and tell me all about it.

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I write about small space design and decorating, sustainable furniture options, positive self care and a variety of do-it-yourself home décor.

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“Michael Helwig was top-notch, very professional and responsive to my needs. He allowed me time to explore ideas and try out a variety of combinations until we found the perfect fit. Michael provided detailed information and offered beautiful ideas to make my dream living room become a reality. The furniture he sourced has totally transformed my living room space. Everyone that has seen my new living room has one word, WOW! A special thank you to Michael for a wonderful experience.”

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Michael is Principal designer and blogger at Michael Helwig Interiors in beautiful Buffalo, New York. Since 2011, he’s a space planning expert, offering online interior e-design services for folks living in small homes, or for those with awkward and tricky layouts. He’s a frequent expert contributor to many National media publications and news outlets on topics related to decorating, interior design, diy projects, and more. Michael happily shares his experience to help folks avoid expensive mistakes and decorating disappointments. You can follow him on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook @interiorsmh.

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How to Vary Your Lines with Furniture:

Bring in Curved or Round Wall Art

Add in Rounded or Curved Lighting

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