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There’s something inexplicably inviting about walking into a home that looks and feels as comforting as a big, squishy hug. If you’re looking to bring this feeling into your home, you might gravitate towards cozy tufted rugs, warm-toned paint colors, and squashy armchairs. And if you love those items, you’ll adore Neotenic design, which captures that feeling with its playful attitude and chunky, bulbous, and curvy furniture that feels like an antidote to the seriousness of adulthood.
Whether you realize it or not, you’ve likely encountered the neotenic design style while scrolling across Instagram or Pinterest. Think of this Mario Bellini Camaleonda Sofa, this Faye Toogood Roly Poly Chair, or the smaller finds like Petite Friture’s Neotenic Table Lamp and Gustaf Westman’s chunky tableware. These one-of-a-kind objects bring whimsy and childlike wonder back into homes. While I’m not big on labels, I’m making an exception for neotenic design because I think it’s the Cadillac of lighthearted self-expression.
What Is Neotenic Design?
The word “neotenic,” which comes from “neoteny,” is a biological concept that refers to the retention of juvenile features in adult animals. Research in behavioral biology published by Wiley, an online library, shows that humans are naturally drawn to things with soft, babylike features (the more you know!), and these characteristics can also trigger nurturing and caregiving instincts. It makes sense why the chunky objects and furniture synonymous with the design style — exaggerated, rounded shapes with big, curvaceous forms — bring up a sense of innocence, comfort, and feeling cared for.
There’s one thing research doesn’t need to prove, though: That neotenic design is undeniably cute and cheerful. It can even improve your mental well-being. Take Taylor “BeepBoop” Nakamoto, a home decor and DIY creator, for example, who turned to neotenic design as art therapy during a difficult time in her life. “I was very mentally ill and needed to change my surroundings,” Nakamoto says. “So I intentionally wanted to create the most fun, playful, and happy home for myself. Designing led me to a new career and became a really positive part of my life.”
Where Did Neotenic Design Originate?
While bubbly, amorphous furniture might feel like it’s been around forever, that wasn’t always the case in an era of minimalism and sleek interiors. The term “neotenic design” first started gaining attention in 2019, when Justin Donnelly, founder of Jumbo, and Monling Lee, architect and co-founder, introduced their month-long exhibition Neotenic Design at A/D/O in Brooklyn. Jumbo’s exhibition featured oversized furniture, decor, and even lighting with “anatomical associations and exaggerated proportions — big faces, thick legs, and rounded feet” that evoked a feeling of calm and nostalgia.
Brooklyn-based furniture designer Sophie Collé also believes the COVID pandemic stay-at-home orders had something to do with the uptick of neotenic playfulness. She thinks that design-lovers now feel more liberated to make more non-traditional decisions at home. “[It] obviously had a big impact on our relationships with our home. It’s a scary world we live in, and having a safe, fun home is comforting no matter your style,” she says. It just so happened that Collé launched her studio around this time, gaining major traction for her colorful work. “I think bright colors and a lighthearted style can encourage adults to be more playful in a world where we’re not necessarily allowed [that] in daily life.”
While AI in design remains controversial, Nakamoto thinks there’s something alluring about the wonder behind some of these artificially created worlds. “There are Instagram accounts solely dedicated to AI interior design or AI furniture. So when whimsical images of things like a pizza-themed bedroom are created, that leads to more thoughts of ‘What else is possible to make in real life?’ and acceptance of the bizarre.”
Features of Neotenic Furniture
In addition to its playfulness and soft form, there are other standout qualities that make it easy to spot these neotenic design pieces out in the wild. Keep an eye out for the following key characteristics:
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Rounded forms: The most obvious characteristics include doughy, round, or chubby appearances.
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Supersized proportions: Think of anything that feels exaggerated with a thick or puffy form.
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Inorganic or odd shapes: Shapeless, bendy forms like squiggles, wiggles, and amorphous blob-like shapes.
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Color: While neotenic furniture doesn’t always have to be colorful, it tends to be a sought-after choice among furniture designers.
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Material: Neotenic furniture can come in all materials like bouclé, velvet, steel, plastic, ceramic, glass, etc.
How to Get the Neotenic Design Look
If you’re ready to have a little more fun with your style at home, these tips will help you add a touch of neotenic design to your space.
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Ditch the design rule book and lean into objects that feel fun. Ailsa Macconnell, interior designer and founder of Studio Mac, invites you to brave whatever fear you have of getting it wrong. “The rule book has been thrown out, and people want a bit of escapism and fun injected into their lives. You can have a really grown-up, serene space, [but you can] throw in something wiggly, and have it still work. It injects a sense of playfulness without feeling too much.”
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Start small and incorporate a quirky accent piece into your design. Macconnell adds, “I love using these pieces as more of an accent. You can pair it with classic furniture or mix antiques to highlight the fluidity and playfulness and make the piece pop rather than feeling overdone.”
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Pair a bubbly piece of furniture with an interesting mural. Nakamoto thinks that paint, paired with neotenic furniture, is the way to go. “Painting your home is the fastest and cheapest way to make a big impact in your space.” So when you combine shopping for a unique piece with this, you’ll “easily have a fun and happy space.”
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Shop secondhand or local to find the most unique home decor. Collé says, “I started finding more playful objects for my home when I started shopping secondhand. While a lot on the market popped up in the past few years for playful neotenic design, vintage objects often have a playfulness that is not as easily found.” She recommends checking out Coming Soon NY and Areaware, which stock playful pieces across tabletop, textiles, furniture, and decorative accessories.
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Embrace a youthful spirit and loosen up a little. If you can take anything from this design style, it’s to have more fun and play at home. Collé agrees, “I encourage people to take their style a little less seriously and be open to some humor and weirdness!”
Further Reading
We Tested (and Rated!) All the Living Room Seating at Burrow to Determine the Best for Every Space and Need (Bonus: Everything’s 20% Off!)
I Tried the 90/90 Rule and My Closet Is Now Fully Decluttered
We Tested (and Rated!) Every Sofa at West Elm — Here Are the Best for Every Type of Need
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