Neotenic design: the cutest trend in interior design

Neotenic design: the cutest trend in interior design

What would the design world look like if it was designed for adults who are young at heart? Neotenic design may be the outcome.

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A little playfulness and escape is something I think we can all appreciate in our lives right now. Especially recently, I have begun to look for ways to introduce more joy and softness into my home. Although I love grandiosity and glamor, I’ve been craving something a little more innocent in my home. Cute, even.

And so is the rest of the design world. This new affinity for cute, childlike-yet-adult-sized furniture has been growing over the past decade or so.

A/D/O, a creative space in Brooklyn, recently wrapped up a month-long exhibition that has the perfect name for this aesthetic: “neotenic.”

The scientific origin of this word refers to an animal reaching maturity while still maintaining some of its youthful features. It’s super clear to see the correlation with the pieces. The featured furniture pieces are luxurious, yet still juvenile, bulbous, and almost goofy.

The exaggerated curviness and smoothness of neotenic design is really striking, and it’s almost kind of nostalgic. It brings you back to simpler, less stressful times. Just scrolling through the pictures here, it’s likely to be anxiety-relieving for you.

I think everyone just wants to be surrounded by stuff that makes you feel good. Stuff that looks like it just wants to give you a hug. And I’m here for it. I’ve always been a huge believer in the psychological impact of great interior design, and this seems like the perfect remedy for the worldwide anxiety at the moment.

Check out the photos of the neotenic design-esque furniture below for some inspiration and something to make you smile.

7M chair by Ara Thorose
7M chair by Ara Thorose
Neotenic design lamps in pink, orange, red, blue, and pea green
Tall table lamp by Entler Studio
Neotenic Baby Bear Chair – Pierre Yovanovitch
Baby Bear chair by Pierre Yovanovitch
Kirbies_Group_Flowers
Kirbies vase by Talbot & Yoon
'Buzz' chairs, £500 each, Fedor Katcuba
Buzz chairs by Fedor Katcuba
bulbous white chair
Tube chair by Objects Of Common Interest and Falke Svatun

Keep it cute, and
keep it homey, homies

P.S. now that you know one of the best new trends, make sure you check out the worst interior design trends in 2020.

About me

Hey my name’s Hannah Michelle Lambert, the voice behind homey homies. I’m an LA-based designer, writer, and content strategist. I’m passionate about the intersection of productivity and creativity. I love talking about creative habits, technology, processes, and everything in between that helps me blend the Type A and Type B parts of my brain.


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