If you purchased furniture—or, at the very least, window shopped—in the past five years, you’re probably familiar with bouclé. Because, honestly? It’s everywhere. The meticulous weave creates a fiber that’s cozy and cloud-like, making it an obvious choice for both armchairs and sofas.
“After Covid-19, we were subconsciously obsessed with the idea of touch, since it was something we were missing culturally,” explains Sara Malek Barney of BANDD/DESIGN. “Bouclé gave us that softness.”
Though most trends have as much staying power as a shooting star or gallon of milk, bouclé has endured. However, if you ask interior designers, this beloved fabric may be finally on the outs.
Cause of death: Natural causes or, as Lisa Simopoulos puts its, a classic case of ubiquity. “Once every brand starts producing the same cream bouclé silhouettes, that’s usually the signal the uniqueness has evaporated,” says the Northern California designer. “At this point, it reads more ‘trend cycle’ than timeless design.” Sure, the nubby upholstery once felt fresh and unexpected, but Simopoulos say it’s quickly became the de facto fabric for “every curved chair, ottoman, and cream sofa on Instagram.”
Barney agrees we’re on the “tail-end” of the bouclé, and questions the textile’s durability. “It just not practical in function for larger pieces,” she says. “Perhaps for a small throw pillow, but most likely a large boucle covered piece of furniture is going to get destroyed by kids and pets.”
Bouclé might be falling out of fashion, but that doesn’t mean designers aren’t interested in tactility. Quite the opposite, Simopoulos says. “What’s changing is the type of texture people want,” she shares. “Clients are gravitating toward fabrics that feel richer, more tailored, and less showroom copy-paste.”
Simopoulos says mohair has an “incredible depth and light reflection” that makes it a great match for a formal chair, while Belgian linen’s relaxed sophistication is striking on a slipcovered sofa. “Wool-blend sherpas are ideal for accent chairs and benches where you want warmth and softness but something slightly more refined and unexpected than bouclé,” she adds. “Heritage woven fabrics shine on occasional chairs, ottomans, and pillows because they instantly make a space feel layered and collected.” Or, if you’re looking for a fabric that will allay those durability concerns, Simopoulos says performance chenille is fashionable and family-friendly.
Trends might have a relatively short lifespan, but remember: Most of them make a comeback, so you shouldn’t ditch your bouclé for good. Houston designer Mary Patton argues the lumpy upholstery is as classic as linen or twill, so it won’t become obsolete. Instead, she predicts homeowners will begin to use bouclé in small doses.
“Bouclé works best as part of a layered mix of textures rather than covering every piece in a room,” she shares. “When incorporated in moderation and paired with more layered materials, it can still feel fresh and sophisticated.” We might see less bouclé armchairs and sofas, but a nubby throw pillow is still fair play.
But what if you’re not ready to say buh-bye to bouclé? That’s alright. After all, Patton says it’s crucial to create a home that speaks to you, not the current trend cycle. “Don’t get too caught up in trends or become overly prescriptive about what’s ‘in’ or ‘out,’” she says. “ If you genuinely respond positively to something and it makes your home feel good, that matters far more than whether it’s trending at the moment.”
Kelsey Mulvey is a freelance journalist who has over a decade of experience in print and digital media. She covers interior design and lifestyle content for a breadth of publications, including Good Housekeeping, Country Living, House Beautiful, Veranda, and more. Her hobbies include themed spinning classes, Netflix, and nachos.
