creative shapes, textures and colours are couched in fresh new furniture designs
6 minute read
curvy-shaped pieces, such as inspiration furniture's papilo island sofa, are having a moment.
inspiration furniture
there are fashion trends, food trends, and tech trends, but furniture trends? who swaps out their sofa every season? nobody, really, but the average crib could benefit from an occasional refresh, whether that’s adding a simple yet sophisticated pillow or a full-on furniture replacement. besides, anything that trends is obviously new, which is invigorating, and if it means a curvy new couch or a sly little side table with a removable lid to tuck away clutter, adding the odd piece is sure to brighten your space. another reason to shop? minimalism is out.
the shape of things
curve is the word these days, with curling waves, lacy leaves, spiral tree branches and fanned scallop shell shapes incorporated into sofas, beds, tables and chairs using natural materials such as wood, stone, clay or marble. even pendant lights and floor lamps in undulating patterns cast a wave-like glow.
“relaxed curves and organic shapes offer a sense of visual comfort, which aligns with people’s need to create spaces that feel restful and restorative,” says rebecca andrews, vice-president of category management and design at article furniture store. “we’re seeing this come through upholstered seating, dining and coffee tables, accent chairs, and very prominently in the bedroom,” noting the store’s kayra king upholstered ivory bouclé bed’s softly rounded frame and the almelo hale rust king velvet headboard.
steen skaaning, co-owner of inspiration furniture stores, which source up to 90 per cent of their product from europe, says, “curvy shapes are really big, everybody loves them. we have a good selection of these kidney shapes, but they’re not always practical. space is at a premium in vancouver, and they take a lot of space. we sell a lot more, let’s say, realistic sizes and shapes. but they’re a lot of fun and inspiring to look at.”
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chris cooke, design mentor at king living, says that while curves are still trending, “we’re seeing more tailored arcs that feel architectural and gently soften the geometry,” pointing to the store’s newly released aura sofa as an example.
he says biophilic design continues to influence interiors, noting a greater integration of “natural materials, nature-inspired colour palettes, and organic silhouettes such as rounded edges and curved timber details that mimic the softness of nature.”
cooke says modular, multifunctional pieces are also dominating these days. “sofas and sofa beds are increasingly modular, like our jasper and delta collections, which can be reconfigured or expanded, adapting as families grow or when living spaces evolve. dining is moving toward extendable forms, like our heritage and magnolia tables, that can expand to seat additional guests and contract for daily use — practical for apartment living.”
modular has also moved to the bedroom, he says, pointing to modular motion mattresses that can be adjusted to suit preferred levels of support.
king living’s heritage dining table can expand to seat additional guests.
king living
touch and texture
andrews says textures and layering continue to trend, with a “growing appetite for multi-sensory, tactile features and pieces that invite touch and add dimension to a room.” textured upholstery like bouclé, a type of yarn with loops or nubs, as illustrated in article’s julie swivel chair in sandstone wool bouclé, is all the rage.
article’s julie swivel chair features textured wool bouclé fabric.
article
“at the same time, velvets, chenille, and ratine are rising in popularity, bringing that same cosy comfort but with a softer, subtler expression.” she points to the layers of supple materials combined with the natural warmth of oak on article’s cassie queen upholstered bed with nightstands as an example of chenille and wood that create a multi-sensory feel.
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in addition, the store’s plush performance velvet, another rich-feeling fabric, is on display in their oren lounge chair.
skaaning says that while velvet, leather and bouclé remain fashionable, bigger, bolder weaves, the “mega- bouclés”, as opposed to the smaller weaves, are gaining in popularity, as are easy clean materials.
steen skaaning, co-owner of inspiration furniture stores, says bigger, bolder weaves are becoming more popular.
inspiration furniture
andrews says article has multiple performance fabrics in their catalogue, including their proprietary silver, featuring lifeguard stain-repellent fibres woven into the fabric. another is their napa performance fabrics, which include a c0 stain-repellent finish that is pfa-free. hale fabrics are also a special performance velvet that is fade-resistant, non-absorptive and easy to clean.
cooke says the appetite for recyclable and renewable textiles continues to grow. “it’s not only the materials themselves, customers are looking for timeless designs and products built to last, which will remain visually and emotionally durable and endure trends. this is why our customers resonate strongly with our removable, replaceable covers and steel frames, which are designed to last decades.”
skaaning says inspiration specializes in marble, used primarily in their dining tables but also in end tables, coffee tables and accent tables. “it’s an amazing material. just like wood, there’s this real uniqueness. you will never find two marble slabs that are the same, and here’s a product that was created five million years ago. we have sourced some spectacular marbles from some of the best suppliers around the world. there’s one called pandora marble from brazil, which is probably the most popular stone right now globally.”
inspiration furniture’s trendlux pandora table in marble.
inspiration furniture
pops of colours
the days of greys are giving way to forested greens and earthy browns. “we’re still seeing the soft tones — beige, sand and taupe — but more pops of colour as well, anywhere from pink to burnt orange to a bright red, [especially in] pillows and throws,” says skaaning.
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cooke notes neutrals still reign, but they’re being layered with saturated accents rather than replaced altogether. “think earthy olives, deep terracotta, and muted teals in upholstery,” he says. “these hues add depth without overwhelming a space. it’s less about maximal colour and more about tonal richness. we recently analyzed hundreds of thousands of king living sofa purchases and found that green fabric sofas have risen from 1 per cent in 2019 to over 18 per cent in 2025.”
andrews adds, “colour is back in a big way. people are leaning into it to make their spaces feel truly theirs. greens and browns are stepping in as the new neutrals while rich, cosy shades like warm taupes and earthy rusts are also having their moment.”
timeless treasures
blending old and new is an enduring trend, with designers sourcing looks and materials spanning centuries. examples include an art deco armchair from the 1920s paired with a hand-painted cabinet of the 1970s, or a 19th-century piano together with a pale wood bench of the mid-2010s.
“crafting a personalized space is a key consideration for most customers, and mixing vintage with contemporary is an ideal way to achieve this,” says cooke. “modern designs give structure, while older pieces can inject character to create balance.”
andrews calls the melding of old and new styles “visually dynamic and really fun. think warm woods and textured fabrics for a classic base, paired with clean lines and softer edges to keep things more modern. add in natural, crafted details and playful shapes like scallops or waves and you get spaces that feel both grounded in nature and joyful.”
article’s ansel walnut sideboard.
article
she points to article’s ansel walnut sideboard, “which has intricate, crated detailing that feels both whimsical and artful, striking that balance between function and sculptural design.”
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andrews says versatility is also premium, especially in smaller homes. “this is driving demand for durable, versatile pieces that help maximize every inch,” noting the company’s marina clover ivory reversible sleeper storage sectional, a kind of swiss army knife that combines hidden storage and a fold-out memory foam mattress ideal for small-space living. also, article’s multi-purpose black storage side table with removable lid and the maribo felted green storage ottoman with soft-close lid maximizes storage.
ultimately, “one of the trends we are seeing is not so much style, it’s more value,” says skaaning. “customers are looking for value, and they will pay a bit more for good quality. but there have to be good reasons for it; not just because it’s popular or a well-known brand. there has to be value in a well-made product.”
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