Designers weigh in on the specialty furniture piece.

Round beds seem a bit mythical. They appear on-screen, like in Austin Powers, as a symbol of swinging bachelorhood or as a comedic prop in a seedy hotel suite. In real life, celebrities have embraced the uncommon bed shape—including musician Tommy Lee, sports star Shaquille O’Neal with his famous 30-foot-wide round bed, and Hugh Hefner, who had one that rotated and vibrated. While they’re not the standard, there’s a surprisingly decent selection of round beds on the market (of course, they can also be custom-made). So are they a furniture option we should seriously consider? We tapped designers to get their take on the atypical sleeping setup—and for advice for how to incorporate one into your own home.

For starters, a large room is often required to house a round bed. “That’s part of why it’s more of a specialty item rather than something practical for every home,” explains designer Shaolin Low. With the right amount of space around it, a circular bed can look luxe and unconventional.

Designer Rozit Arditi agrees that a round bed would be ideal in the right setting. “I don't see one fitting well in a New York City apartment given the space constraints, but it would absolutely make a statement in a larger beach or mountain house, or even in a kid’s room.”

When deciding where to place a round bed within a room, it depends on the size and architecture of the space. “For unusual layouts, round beds give you the flexibility to float it in the center of the room,” explains designer Cara Woodhouse, who recently proposed placing a round bed in a client’s home with a quirky setup. One of her favorite uses of a round bed is by designer Julie Hillman in this children’s space, which features a clever alternative to freestanding bedside tables.

The fully upholstered room was designed for a girl’s bedroom. "I loved the idea of enveloping the entire room in one material, including the bedside tables," Hillman says. "It is a very organic space and though it nods to the ’70s, the neutral palette makes it feel timeless."

Another thing to consider? The longest part of a round bed is in the center, so it has to be big enough to accommodate the largest person sleeping in it closer to the middle of the bed. “The rest of the bed is kind of ‘dead’ space unless you have someone smaller,” Low adds.

As for the bedding, some designers have seen more brands offer round mattresses and sheets—making them easier to come by. Others suggest custom linens, which can help you get the exact look you want.

While you could attempt to incorporate a round bed into any aesthetic, the specialty piece would find itself more at home in certain styles. “It would look dreamy in a Hollywood Regency-style room with great color or a very modern room where the linens are tailored against the soft curve of the bed,” says designer Mark Lavender, who notes that a round bed should be centered in a room with a standard layout.

"Only styles from the '60s and '70s can support a round bed," opines designer Jessica Davis. "An updated spin on those styles would be acceptable as well, but anything else is a no!"

Other designers suggest steering away from the bedroom (and, in fact, the interior) entirely. "Take the concept poolside," designer Michael Cox recommends. “Look at the cool chaises done by Janus et Cie, and you have a whole new vision!”

Another dreamy setting to enjoy a round bed in would be on vacation or in an outdoor setup that makes you feel as though you're elsewhere. “It would be a great look in a tropical cabana hut with mosquito netting draped around it,” says designer Kim Armstrong.

If you're toying with the idea of a round bed, it's surely doable in the right setting. Naturally, we've laid out a few of the best ones on the market to give you an idea of what's available and what you can have custom-made.

Love shopping for your home and scoring the best deals? We can help.

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Kelly Allen is the current Associate Editor at House Beautiful, where she covers design, pop culture, and travel for digital and the print magazine. She’s been with the team for nearly three years, attending industry events and covering a range of topics. When she’s not watching every new TV show and movie, she’s browsing vintage home stores, admiring hotel interiors, and wandering around New York City. She previously worked for Delish and Cosmopolitan. Follow her on Instagram.

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