The rigid, straight-line elements of exhibit design are giving way to forms that are softer and more fluid. Designers are starting to incorporate curved seating, rounded risers, and organic partitions as key elements in booth design.
This shift in strategy isn’t just about style; it’s also because curves and rounded shapes generate a certain emotional response. These softer shapes signal comfort, innovation, and approachability, helping brands feel more human and future-focused.
This new era of design provides you with a powerful opportunity to enhance brand storytelling with exhibit booths that stand out. It’s easier than ever to achieve this new revolution in style because CORT’s rental furnishings allow you to bring this look to life without custom fabrication or added complexity.
Incorporating curved design into exhibit spaces brings certain emotional, psychological, and visual benefits. Curves suggest a more inviting, less corporate look than straight lines and angles. They create a sense of flow, reduce visual tension, and draw people into a space naturally.
“Curves in architecture can mimic organic forms found in nature, like hills, rivers and plants, evoking feelings of calm,” writes Ema Bakalova at Architizer. “Others might perceive curves as facilitating a sense of flow and movement, gently guiding people through a space.”
The softness that curvature brings to design helps a booth in a busy trade show environment feel less overwhelming and more welcoming. It’s a design change that creates a whole new sense of belonging for attendees.
"Curved furniture creates a shift in how we experience space," principal interior designer Christine Jahan told The Spruce. "Science backs it up: Soft, organic shapes naturally put you at ease. That's why you're seeing more rounded sofas, arched headboards, and sculptural tables."
Using curves in design signals a modern, premium look that mirrors current trends in architecture and hospitality. It’s a visual language that goes a long way toward creating a lasting first impression that helps attendees engage with the space more comfortably.
Bringing curved design into your next trade show booth design is easy because CORT Events has an extensive collection of fashionable furniture and decor that you can use in any trade show booth design. Here are a few examples of the possibilities that CORT opens up for you.
CORT’s Endless Collection features a variety of modular items that allow you to devise flowing lounge areas, networking zones, and soft seating environments. You can reconfigure these pieces to fit different booth sizes and allow for easy movement throughout the space. Here’s an example: In a tech brand’s booth, serpentine seating can guide guests through demo stations, which creates a sense of journey and engagement without complex barriers.
Curved-edge pedestals, side tables, or ottomans allow you to introduce elevation and focal points without disrupting the space's flow. You can use these elements to highlight products, support signage, or serve as casual display surfaces and reinforce the soft, organic look. For example, you could use soft-edged ottomans and round side tables to create a layered, approachable space that highlights product moments for a wellness brand without bringing in harsh visual breaks.
Flowing fabric drapes are a crucial tool for introducing curves into booth layouts, whether as gently arched entryways, wave-like backdrops, or soft partitions that gracefully divide zones. Drapery gives you the flexibility to add curvature into the space without hard architecture as well as to incorporate texture and softness. One way you can use drapes within a space is by layering sheer or semi-opaque drapes in sweeping lines to separate hospitality areas from product displays, or to create an organic, intuitive flow to usher attendees through the booth. You can easily introduce curvature without custom builds with CORT’s drape offerings.
You can align curved elements with the client’s message and branding when you incorporate color, lighting, and custom-branded furniture. Let’s say that you’re creating a booth for a sleek, urban brand. Blending curved furniture with high-contrast materials or integrated lighting allows you to keep the aesthetic sharp while benefiting from the inviting feel of organic forms.
CORT features multiple collections of products that support curved design and simplify the design process. The Endless, Beverly, and Marche collections — and individual pieces from them — provide flexible seating that fits any layout. You can reuse or reconfigure modular pieces across multiple shows, which helps save time and money. Ottomans, pedestals, and screens serve as architectural accents that incorporate organic shapes while ensuring the cohesiveness of the design. CORT has items like these ready to rent, along with nationwide support and reliable service, so you get speed and style.
Soft, modular design can solve some of the real problems that you face as an exhibit house designer:
Standing out on the show floor: Curves attract attention, which makes your booths feel unique and memorable in a sea of straight lines and angles.
Designing across multiple shows or clients: Modular curves put flexibility in your hands with an unlimited number of layout options.
Working with limited time or budget: CORT has what you need ready to go, which gives you speed and affordability without the need for custom builds.
Consistency and quality, no matter the location: CORT’s national reach ensures uniform product quality and dependable delivery at every venue.
Curved design helps you create exhibit spaces that connect. Soft angles signal innovation, hospitality, and confidence. CORT’s collections of soft furnishings in curves allow you to design fresh, flexible layouts that resonate with attendees and elevate the brand experience. CORT Events is always ready to help you bring the curve into your next booth with style and ease.