The “Dated” Design Trend Emily Henderson Can’t Get Enough Of

The best part: It doesn’t have to be expensive.

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We called it: Chunky furniture is trending. The tubular decor craze has cylindrical, almost pipe-like pieces popping up constantly on our Instagram feed. Similarly, curved furniture, from coffee tables to plush sofas, is everywhere. It’s looking like we’re ready to escort minimalism promptly out the door—and one recent convert to this retro furniture style is none other than Emily Henderson.

The designer dove into all things oversize and chubby in a recent blog post, so of course we had to chat with her about our newfound shared love for the postmodern revival. Our biggest takeaway from the convo: While investing in this trend can be pricey (Henderson’s wish-list splurge item is the quirky Masand chaise found in designer Mario Milana’s duplex), the good news is that it’s becoming more and more affordable.

“I’ve been really excited about the new lines from stores like CB2, West Elm, and Urban Outfitters,” says Henderson. “It’s a trend on the rise, but it’s still a little outside the box for the super-mainstream. When stores such as these take the plunge, it’s so exciting.”

If you’re stuck trying to figure out how to incorporate these funkier pieces into your preexisting style, Henderson recommends thinking chromatically. “Start small and within your existing color palette,” she says. “Choose a cool vase or side table, then see how that goes. You can honestly mix whatever styles you want as long as the color palette is consistent—I say just go for it.”

Ready to take the plunge? Our picks for chunky furniture (in an Emily Henderson–approved blue color scheme!) that won’t break the bank:

West Elm

Floating Disks Side Table

$149.0
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Urban Outfitters

Carmen Sofa

$599.0
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CB2

Scallop Ivory Table

$899.0
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Target

Velvet Horizontal Channel Bed

$608.0
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See more trends we love: This Playful Pattern Will Remind You of Your Kindergarten Art Class Friendly Suggestion From London: We Need More Colorful Public Benches Grandma’s Favorite Chair Got a Major Makeover

Elly Leavitt

Writer and Editor

Elly enjoys covering anything from travel to funky design (tubular furniture, anyone?) to the latest cultural trend. Her dream apartment would exist on the Upper West Side and include a plethora of mismatched antique chairs, ceramic vessels, and floor-to-ceiling bookcases—essential to her goal of becoming a poor man’s Nora Ephron. You can probably find her in line at Trader Joe’s. You will never find her at SoulCycle.