Scour Your Local Garage Sales: This “Dated” Living Room Trend Is Back
Tubular is trending.
Updated Sep 6, 2019 4:23 PM
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We are currently in the middle of a retro revival. Art Deco is back with a modern twist, one of the trendiest chairs du jour originated in the 1950s, and even sunken living rooms are making a comeback. So it should come as no surprise that the preeminent furniture trend gaining traction is a bit of a throwback. Tubular pieces are slowly but surely creeping their way into living room design, and we’re here for it.
Tubular furniture comprises cylindrical shapes and chunky silhouettes. Rumors of this funky style’s return first surfaced with last year’s Sight Unseen Offsite show. At the event, cofounder Monica Khemsurov spoke to the ’70s-inspired style, noting that it has been percolating for a while. And as recently as last month’s Maison et Objet shows in Paris, tubular furniture appeared to still be on the brain; most visibly with brands like Moustache. Its Instagram-bait “Bold” line of seating is the most instantly recognizable iteration of the trend.
Today’s tubular furniture is—as is the case with most resurgent trends—a hybrid. It has its roots in the tubular steel of Bauhaus design, but with its bold colors and thicker silhouettes, the style feels equally in line with the chunky, oversize furniture native to the 1970s. The curved style offers a welcome reprieve from the minimalist, sleek lines popular over the last few years; reimagined in a bevy of colors, materials, and styles, the new tubular furniture living room trend is both a nod to the past and a breath of fresh air.
Take a look at some of our favorite tubular finds below.
The aforementioned Moustache chairs come in an array of bright colors and will instantly turn any empty corner into a style-forward vignette. They may not look comfortable, but the foam polyurethane covers suggest otherwise. If you have an open concept living-dining room, a pair of these vibrant chairs will bring new life to your dining nook without sacrificing your living room’s style.
If the idea of pairing both such a bold shape and a bold color feel overwhelming, compromise on color. Acrylic arches provide a way to marry the ubiquitous lucite trend with the more retro silhouette, plus, a white tweed seat feels well suited to a minimalist aesthetic.
Looking to upgrade your sofa? Consider this chunky burnt orange piece as an upscale replacement. Velvet makes for quite the luxe-looking item, while the oversize style brings warmth and coziness to any space. We’d like to spend the remainder of winter curled up in this sumptuous sofa; the cushy cover is just made for Netflix binges.
A mix of old and new, these Anthropologie armchairs are the best of both worlds. The sleek steel frame keeps each chair from being too clunky, while the tubular back cushion and velvet material make for a far more comfortable seating option than traditional contemporary designs.
This Dimore Studio piece is a “price upon request” kind of item, so if your dedication to living room decor includes a splurge-worthy piece, this one should be a top contender. The Italian-made item is a lesson in contrast. Frosted steel pitted against soft pink upholstery meets cylindrical shapes juxtaposed with harsh metal lines, and the balance is what makes this armchair equal parts functional and sculptural.
Bring a bit of gradient design home with a plush teal velvet bench courtesy of the Jonathan Adler for Amazon collection that we can’t get enough of. It works particularly well with small spaces due to its hidden storage component; the top comes off to reveal a decent amount of room ideal for housing various living room accessories. Consider everything from TV cables to throw blankets neatly stowed away.
For those of you who want to pay homage to the era that inspired this entire trend comeback, these chairs are 1975 originals. They’ve been reupholstered in an avocado green fabric (for historical accuracy, naturally) and would be a gorgeous way to round out your living room.
See more retro decor trends making a comeback: This Retro Bathroom Trend Is Making a Comeback (and We’re 100% on Board) Why 2019 Will Be the Year of the Curved Coffee Table This Sofa Combines 3 of Our Favorite Living Room Trends