Fluted Detailing Is Everywhere—Here’s How to Try It in Your Own Space

Gwyneth Paltrow’s kitchen, Crate & Barrel vases, and almost every home featured in the latest season of Netflix’s Selling Sunset all have one thing in common: fluted detailing. But is it too late to get in on the trend? 

“Fluted detailing is everywhere because it adds instant depth and softness without screaming for attention,” explains Rachel Brown, founder and principal designer of RB Interiors. “It’s timeless when done right, and trendy when overdone.” 

I polled Brown and two more West Coast designers, and requested recommendations for incorporating this style in your own home. 

Start Small in Contemporary Spaces

Design by Anita Yokota; Photo by Sara Tramp Ligorria

Therapist-turned-interior designer Anita Yokota says fluted textures are becoming increasingly popular because of their “rhythmic, nature-inspired softness,” particularly in modern homes. “The vertical lines echo tree bark and organic patterns, which creates a calming, grounded effect,” she says. 

If you want to dip your toe into the trend, Yokota says to consider a fluted nightstand or cabinet for a mid-century modern, Scandinavian, or other contemporary space.

Create a Focal Point with Furniture

Design by RB Interiors; Photo by Kevin Brost

Here’s Brown’s advice: “Use it like good jewelry—one moment per room, such as a fluted island, vanity, or fireplace—and let it shine,” she says. Even better? Brown believes it’s flexible enough to work across a range of design eras, from Art Deco to quiet luxury.

Rethink Classic Cabinetry

John Merkl

If you’re not quite sure about a solid wood element, try the trend with a splash of color. This bathroom vanity, for instance, is punctuated with a vibrant cerulean. “Furniture is moving beyond rigid geometry toward softer, fluid silhouettes,” says Christine Markatos Lowe of Christine Markatos Design. “Rounded sofas, crescent-shaped tables, sculptural chairs, and bubble-inspired seating create interiors that feel warm, inviting, and refined. Fluted cabinetry, influenced by classical architecture, brings rhythm and shadow to furniture, symbolizing craftsmanship.”