5 of the best curved sofas

Taking a gentle turn from the classic corner or straight-lined sofa, a curved couch adopts a softer approach, adding elegance with a delicate rounded look, evoking a more relaxed and social atmosphere than that of the conventional straight-lined styles of other sofas.

Here, I will explore the new trend and discover how to incorporate it into your home, including some of my top tips.

Are curved sofas a trend? 

Hot off the couch catwalk, the current curved sofa trend has grown rapidly in popularity over the past 12 months or so. 

A by-product of the on-going curve movement, which has seen rounded edges sweep into homes, from arched doorways to smooth edged furniture, a modern curved sofa is a relatively easy and simple way to incorporate the new fashion into the home. 

Curved sofas have been popping up for the last year or so now... They are ideal for opening up the space and making your whole room more sociable.

They are also amazingly adaptable, and can blend themselves into unusual areas, although they do tend to take up a bit more space than your standard 3 seater - so measuring your room is essential before purchasing.

What is a curved sofa called?

More than often referred to as a curved sofa, there are a few other names commonly – and less commonly – used; a crescent sofa, semi-circle sofa, conversation sofa, the less often used banana sofa, and the twist chair – a rounded take on the timeless armchair. I'll explore this option later in the article.

Whatever your preferred name for what is sure to be a new classic, these search terms will help you in your quest to find your new circular piece.

How do you position a curved sofa?

Picking the right place for your curved sofa is key to making the most of your space. You don’t necessarily need a big room to accommodate a curved couch, but careful consideration is needed to ensure it doesn’t dominate your room and make it feel smaller than it is. 

As you would expect, a round sofa won’t sit as neatly against a wall as a straight-lined sofa.

Placing it slightly away from the wall will avoid the space looking overcrowded, or try aligning the back of the sofa to a wall’s curve or in front of a window.

A curved sofa also looks fantastic in an archway or in the alcove of a bay window. Of course, the perfect position to show off a curved sofa is pride of place in the middle of a room.

If you have other pieces of seating, sit the sofa in a circular group with other chairs, sofas and footstools, creating an area designed to encourage socialising. 

When positioning your curved sofa, ideally you would want it to face towards a focal point such as your TV or fireplace, whether this be against a wall or free standing centrally if you have a large living area.

Also, try placing the sofa on an oversized rug. By doing this, you are adding interest and colour to the sofa.

This style of sofa effortlessly guides you into choosing accompanying pieces in similar shapes – such as coffee tables and mirrors – so your whole room blends into a softer appearance.

Make the whole space a feature of your room but avoid over filling it – leave some breathing space between your pieces of furniture.

What do you put behind a curved couch?

Wherever you position your sofa, its curved ends create an opportunity for you to complement it with homely accessories, such as floor lamps, tall plants and rounded shapes in the form of end tables, pouffes or footrests.

Make the most of the space and use its curves to your – and your room’s – advantage. 

The space behind the sofa is ideal for an overhanging floor lamp or a tall plant – although don’t be tempted to hide the ironing pile behind there!

Ready to take a turn with a rounded sofa? Here are my best picks for getting your home ahead of the curve: