Bouclé Textiles: Is This the Next Big Interiors Trend?

Jonathan Adler’s Brigitte Sofa in Olympus Ivory from Sweetpea & Willow

The current interiors trend for bouclé textiles fills my heart with joy. Especially at this time of year. The weather has got a lot colder now and as the country has retreated indoors to comply with lockdown 2.0, it’s more important than ever to make sure our homes are cosy, comfortable and fit for purpose. And don’t forget that the purpose of our homes has changed quite a lot over the course of the year.

We are now spending a lot more time at home than ever before and our homes are having to double up as work places, restaurants, cinemas, online social clubs, exercise spaces and so much more.

And comfort has become more important and valuable than ever. I’ve been making little additions to my home to make it more cosy since the end of summer. New blankets, rug, cushions, plant pots and plants. Anything to make the space feel more homely and have a positive effect on my mental health and wellbeing.

Rico Lounge chair from Ferm Living

If I were in the market for new living room furniture right now, I would be investing in some bouclé furniture. But what exactly is bouclé? Well it is both a yarn and a fabric made from that yarn. The yarn is made by spinning two strands together, one with greater tension that the other, which causes loops to be formed along the yarn. The fabric that is created from this yarn maintains the looped appearance. The word bouclé comes from the French word meaning “curled” or “ringed”.

Rico Sofa from Ferm Living

From a quick internet search I can see that this nubbie textile first made an appearance in the late 1940s on Eero Saarinen’s womb chair for Knoll. Shortly after, it became a staple of fashion couture houses (Chanel among the most notable) and of midcentury furniture designers.

Bouclé textiles are very versatile. They are hard-wearing but also soft, meaning they can be used for a variety of applications from furniture to cushions. Bouclé textiles also work extremely well on curvilinear shapes and this can be seen exceptionally clearly on the furniture offering that we are seeing at the moment.

Penny Swivel Armchair Boucle Upholstered Cream from Cult Furniture

For me, bouclé textiles hold so much attraction due to the texture. Homes need texture now more than ever. We need to touch stuff and feel stuff in our homes, because we’re no longer allowed to do that outside our homes. Touch plays a huge part in us understanding the world around us and connecting to it. So I’m all for anything that offers that haptic experience in the home right now.

Left: Esme Accent Chair Malham Ivory Mix from Sofology | Right: Java II Large Sofa in Putty Twisted Boucle from John Lewis & Partners

So I’ve rounded up some of my favourite bouclé pieces on the market right now, just incase you too feel the need to invite more texture into your home right now.

SOURCE LIST

1. Kooper Accent Armchair in Whitewash Boucle from Made.com (affiliate)
2. Jonathan Adler Beaumont Bench from Sweetpea & Willow
3. Gubi Sejour Lounge Chair with Arms by GamFratesi from Chaplins
4. Eichholtz Palla Pillow from Sweetpea & Willow
5. Eichholtz Trapezium Chair in Cream from Sweetpea & Willow
6. Penny Swivel Armchair Bouclé Upholstered Cream from Cult Furniture
7. Teddy Set of 2 Boucle Cushions from Made.com (affiliate)
8. Lori Club Chair from Sweetpea & Willow
9. Rico Divan Bouclé in off white from Ferm Living
10. Tom Dixon Bouclé Cushion from Amara

What do you think? Does bouclé furniture appeal to you this winter?