Buyer guides
Curves are back in hotel lounges. How to choose a curved armchair that lasts
Designers report that curved, rounded seating is what clients ask for now. Why it works in lobbies, bars and lounges, what to check before you buy, and which solid-wood tub chairs fit.
The problem
Many hotel lobbies and bars are full of square chairs in straight rows. They are easy to buy and easy to clean. But guests don't stay. They check in, look around and go to their room.
A lounge only makes money when people sit down and stay for a second drink.
What designers are seeing
In March 2026, Elle Decoration called curves "the thing everybody wants right now". Designers say clients increasingly ask for at least one curved element: a rounded back, a flared arm, a soft edge (source 1).
The magazine also explains why the look lasts: "straight lines, for all their elegance, ask a room to perform, while curves let it relax" (source 1). That is exactly what a hotel lounge needs.
Why curves work in hospitality
- They invite people in. A round back wraps the guest. It feels like a place to stay, not a place to wait.
- They soften a hard room. Lobbies have stone floors, glass and straight walls. Curved chairs break the lines.
- They give the room a signature. One colourful curved chair can carry a whole corner of a lobby.
What to check before you buy
- The seat height decides the use.
- For a lounge or a low coffee table, a lower, wider seat feels relaxed.
- For a bar table or for eating, you need a dining height, around 47–48 cm, so guests reach the table.
- Measure the width. Curved chairs are wider than dining chairs. Count how many fit around each table before you order.
- Choose the fabric for the job. Velvets look rich but can show wear on busy routes. Ask for the fabric's wear rating and keep a sample in daylight.
- Check the fire rules. In the UK, upholstered seating in hotel bedrooms and public areas is usually specified to BS 7176 medium hazard. Read our fire rules guide.
- Think about the frame colour. A dark frame grounds a bright fabric. A natural frame keeps the look light.
Where RikoStyle fits
We make curved, upholstered tub chairs and armchairs on solid-wood frames. Here is how our models split by use (source 2):
| Model | Seat height | Width | Seat depth | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elina tub chair | 430 mm | 690 mm | 520 mm | Low, wide lounge seat |
| Plaza tub chair | 460 mm | 640 mm | 450 mm | Lobby and lounge |
| Sunny 1, 2 and 3 armchairs | 470–480 mm | 530 mm | 470–490 mm | Lounge and dining, also in oak |
| Mariana tub chair | 480 mm | 520 mm | 480 mm | Bar and dining |
| Kansas tub chair | 490 mm | 580 mm | 450 mm | Dining and meeting rooms |
All of them come with many upholstery options and in the same 10 frame finishes, so you can match a lounge, a bar and a restaurant in one hotel.
We offer these chairs to hotel owners, interior designers, furniture retailers, restaurant owners, event rental companies and care homes, and we are looking for long-term partners in each of them.
Sources
- Elle Decoration UK, Curved furniture is back. Was it ever really out of fashion, though?, Julia Cancilla (24 March 2026): https://www.elledecoration.co.uk/design/a70821628/curved-furniture-trend-2026/
- RikoStyle product data as published on rikostyle.com, November 2026.
- SATRA, Upholstered contract furniture flammability (BS 7176 hazard levels): https://www.satra.com/spotlight/article.php?id=289
