It became the butt of every joke. A shorthand for bad taste. ‘Bouclé is dead!’ those of us who didn’t splurge on bouclé furniture during lockdown smugly declared. But Google suggests otherwise. Searches for ‘bouclé furniture’ are up 700%. Apparently, we missed Covid-era cozy more than anyone cared to admit.
‘Bouclé didn’t become ugly overnight!’ quips Benjamin Brougham, Creative Director of Jonathan Adler Design Studio. ‘I’ve always loved it because it does something every room needs. It adds texture without shouting about it, and it makes even quite architectural furniture feel inviting. That isn’t a trend; it’s just a very useful design trick,’ he says, noting its one fatal, Covid-era flaw: boring beige. ‘Give me a fantastic color, an exaggerated texture, or a sculptural bouclé chair sitting next to glossy lacquer, marble, brass, or a weird vintage find. The contrast keeps it chic rather than overly cozy.’
A rainbow of rebels are leading the rebrand for 2027: Lulu and Georgia, whose blush couldn’t be sweeter on a bed frame; TOV Furniture, whose ‘Autumn Red’ and ‘Kale Green’ turn the once-tired upholstery into a living room jewel box; and Anthropologie, striping deep-seat, caster-bottom sofas and chairs in sunshine yellow and moss green.
Bouclé went into the coffin with our other COVID-era comforts. Tabitha Organ brings it back in Yarn Collective’s Saturn stripe, decidedly more swanky.
‘I am a bit over beige and white bouclé,’ echoes Tabitha Organ, founder of London-based design firm Tabitha Isobel. ‘I much prefer warm caramel and earthy tones, or rich greens, especially those from Yarn Collective. They also make a really great bouclé stripe. That’s something I’d look at if I wanted to bring in a little pattern as well as texture. Reupholstering a vintage chair in a colored or striped bouclé can give it quite a different feel, while keeping the warmth that made you want to use bouclé in the first place.’
Like richly weathered saddle leather, oak floors, and brass lighting, sometimes things are popular because they’re good. ‘A great material doesn’t suddenly become bad because everyone bought a cream sofa in it at the same time,’ laughs Benjamin Brougham. ‘Bouclé survived the internet. I think it’ll be just fine.’
Perhaps we left on the wrong foot. Ahead, 16 bouclé furniture finds to welcome the cozy upholstery back. For forever this time.
The Round is Homes & Gardens' collection of the must-have pieces shaping styles, trends, and ideas. It brings together thoughtfully curated products that express a single moment – offering readers inspiring ways to style their homes through seasonal themes, emerging looks, and everyday pieces.
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