Design 101

Embrace Comfort With Boucle Furniture

August 22, 2024

Spend a few minutes strolling through a furniture store, and you might notice that some upholstered items look fuzzy or covered in nubs. This texture is called boucle, and it’s one of the trendiest fabric choices.

Boucle furniture has cozy, curly woolen fabric. This versatile texture fits virtually any design scheme, making it an excellent choice for any home. Boucle also offers several practical benefits that have contributed to its growing popularity.

What Is Boucle Furniture?

Boucle is a French word pronounced as “boo-clay.” It translates to “curled” or “ringed” in English.

Boucle furniture is made from natural wool. The manufacturers use two or more strands of yarn to create the fabric. One of these strands forms loops, which range from tiny curls to large circles.

This technique gives the furniture a fuzzy or bumpy appearance. Boucle furniture might sound uncomfortable, but it's fleecy and soft. Manufacturers often use it for upholstered furniture, such as couches and sofas.

Some people mistake boucle for tweed, but they’re distinct fabrics. Tweed is made from medium to heavy wool and feels coarser than boucle. It also has a rougher texture without boucle’s trademark loops.

Is Boucle Furniture a Trend?

Boucle furniture has been popping up in homes, showrooms, and social media feeds everywhere — and for good reason. This fabric, known for its distinctive texture and cozy appearance, offers a unique blend of luxury and comfort that resonates with modern design trends.

Boucle’s resurgence is driven by the current demand for tactile, comforting materials that balance simplicity with elegance. Interior design trends have increasingly moved toward natural, inviting textures and boucle fits right in thanks to its refined yet cozy look.

While some trends fade quickly, boucle seems like it has staying power. It's versatile enough to suit a range of design aesthetics, from minimalistic Scandinavian styles to eclectic, mid century modern homes. And in any setting can serve as either (or both) a statement piece or a subtle complement to other textures and colors.

Boucle furniture isn’t just about the look — it's about the soothing experience its soft, textured surface delivers. Maybe it’s not just a trend. With its mix of form and function, boucle is a design staple.

The Benefits of Boucle Furniture

Boucle furniture is one of the most unique and easily recognizable furniture materials. It offers several advantages for home decor.

First, this fabric feels luxuriously comfortable and soft. This unique texture makes boucle furniture exceptionally cozy and inviting. You can spend hours curled up in a boucle armchair with a book or lounge on a boucle couch to binge your favorite show.

In addition, boucle furniture is resilient enough for busy households and everyday use. The looped wool doesn’t stretch and disguises minor scratches and other blemishes. You can quickly clean the fabric with a vacuum or damp cloth. These features make boucle furniture perfect for people with children and pets.

Boucle furniture is also highly versatile. You can pair these items with a wide range of design styles. For example, a boucle ottoman can add a cozy texture to an industrial or minimalist living room. Meanwhile, a boucle headboard can soften a traditional bedroom or add more personality to a bohemian design.

Finally, boucle furniture can help soundproof a room. The unique looped fabric absorbs and muffles sound waves. To control noise, you could place a boucle couch along the wall of a neighboring apartment or put a boucle rug in high-traffic areas.

Popular Types of Boucle Furniture

Boucle furniture first became popular in the 1940s and 1950s. The boucle furniture trend has returned today as people look for unique ways to add coziness and texture to their homes. Here are three kinds of boucle fabric to use in your designs.

Mathis Home

Boucle sofas

A boucle couch or sofa is a timeless addition to any living room. The fuzzy texture adds contrast when placed alongside metal, stone, or wooden furniture. For example, you could pair a white boucle sofa with a sleek metal coffee table for a modern look.

Mix and match fabrics to add more layers of texture to the couch. Smooth velvet throw pillows or a chunky knit blanket create a cozy, eclectic look. Don’t be surprised if your guests don’t want to leave after sitting on this snug couch.

APT2B

Boucle ottomans

Elevate your accent pieces with a boucle ottoman. This furniture gives you a comfortable spot to perch or rest your feet while relaxing on the couch.

You can move a lightweight boucle ottoman around the room whenever you want to refresh your design. To create visual contrast, place it in front of a patterned armchair or sofa. Or set it next to the fireplace for additional seating for guests.

Many boucle ottomans have internal storage. Use this furniture to stash chargers, books, extra blankets, and other everyday items within easy reach. This storage reduces clutter and improves organization.

Bloomingdale's

Boucle dining chairs

Boucle chairs add unexpected softness and texture to your dining room. Pair this furniture with a glossy wooden or stone table for an eye-catching contrast. This combination will make natural colors and textures pop.

Boucle fabric also improves the dining experience by increasing comfort. You’ll linger longer over holiday meals and family dinners while cradled in the soft embrace of your boucle chair.

Match the cozy chair look with soft, ambient lighting from a dimmed chandelier or candles. A cozy boucle rug under the dining table can also make the room more inviting. As you dig your toes into the soft wooly fabric, you’ll feel more relaxed and present during meals.

How To Clean Boucle Furniture

Boucle fabric is durable, but it’s not invincible. The looped wool can trap crumbs, dust, pet hair, and other contaminants. Proper upholstery care will keep this furniture clean and smelling fresh. Learn to care for boucle properly, and your pieces will look pristine for years.

Vacuum your boucle furniture at least once a week with an upholstery attachment. This process pulls out particles without stretching or ripping the looped fabric.

A bristle brush can also remove dirt and debris from boucle furniture. Plus, this tool fluffs the loops to maintain the fabric’s signature appearance. Because of the fabric’s looped construction, dirt and dust settle into the fibers more easily than on smooth fabrics. Using an upholstery attachment, gently clean your furniture on a weekly basis to prevent the buildup of any deep-seated dirt.

Additionally, you should wash your boucle furniture regularly with a gentle fabric cleaner or upholstery shampoo. Dip a soft cloth into the solution and gently rub it on the upholstery in small circles. When you're done, use a towel or rag to dry the furniture.

Spot cleaning is another crucial part of maintaining boucle. If you spill something on your furniture, don’t panic. Your first instinct may be to rub the stain, but you should fight the urge so as to not push the matter deeper into the fibers. Gently blot the spill with a clean, dry cloth. If the stain persists, you can use a mild soap or upholstery cleaner. But always do a patch test first to ensure it won’t discolor the fabric. Avoid saturating the fabric with water, as boucle doesn’t dry quickly and prolonged dampness can lead to mildew or unpleasant odors.

To ensure you don't accidentally damage your boucle fabric while cleaning, make sure to always follow the manufacturer's guidelines. Not sure if a particular cleaning product is safe for your boucle furniture? Try testing it out on a small swatch located on a discreet part of the furniture before you apply it broadly to visible areas, and consider splurging on a professional steam cleaner to eliminate stubborn stains and refresh the boucle fabric.

Modernize Your Style With Boucle Furniture

Boucle furniture has emerged as one of the latest trends. This cozy yet sophisticated fabric is perfect for lounging and socializing. Sip your morning coffee in a comfortable boucle armchair or elevate your bedroom with a boucle bed frame.

Get started by shopping for statement pieces, such as boucle accent chairs or ottomans. If you enjoy these items, a boucle couch or sectional will add another level of comfort to your home.

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