Boucle is making a roaring come back and it comes as no surprise. Because, how could it not? A fashion mainstay – thanks to Chanel’s iconic skirts – has slid itself over into the interior world. And let me tell you, it’s a divine match that has us wanting everything covered in the beautifully inviting textures that Boucle brings.
Taken from the French word, Bouclé translates to ‘curled’ or ‘looping’ which describes the curly nature of the fibre. Traditionally made of wool, and has since evolved using the same woven techniques with alpaca, merino, linen, silk, and cotton making the trend incredibly versatile, depending on your preference and budget.
As I say, it’s a come back meaning Boucle has had a place in our homes for a long time. Bored of smooth silky fabrics, mid century modern designers flocked to Boucle as a way of bringing textures into interiors. And who do we thank for that? Eero Saarinen, of course. The designer behind the much-loved Womb Chair created for Florence Knoll, a beautiful design that undoubtedly achieved the brief: A chair that was like a basket full of pillows, something you could curl up in. With him stood designers such as Pierre Paulin, who too couldn’t resist the idea of sitting on clouds with the GUBI Pacha Lounge Chair.
Today, the trend has become particularly popular in furniture and decor. Imagine curved, voluptuous furniture upholstered in soft textures and chunky, cloud-like pillows layered on top of your bed or sofa. My honest appraisal of Boucle is that no matter what you go for, any item using Boucle fabrics is a luxe addition to any home.
Personally, when I think of Boucle, I’m thinking creams or whites. In many ways, this is still the case but there are new designs coming out all the time thanks to the evolution of the trend and I’m here for it. Dark hues are a trend of 2021 and seeing it applied in Boucle has me falling hopelessly in love.
For the living room, choosing a sofa or an armchair upholstered with Boucle fabric combined with light wooden legs can bring a gorgeous sophisticated Scandinavian look and feel into the room. Whereas, if you’re wanting to go for the ultimate luxury purchase, leading interior designers such as Tom Dixon have created an entire Boucle collection for the living room and it checks every box. Comfort? Check. Stylish? Check. Unique? Definitely. Luxurious? Undeniably so.
And for those not quite ready to throw everything in on the trend, finessing the space with Boucle cushions are the perfect companion to place on top of your sofa or armchair.
Starting off small and thinking about how to bring Boucle into your home? A simple way, that will no doubt make you feel like royalty after a day’s work is by adding a Boucle chair into your home office. Brass legs or a swivel chair upholstered with Boucle fabric will make a stunning addition, and offer comfort that no plastic chair could ever compete with. Layer up with a chunky throw and the TikTok famous Boucle cushion for ultimate WFH style.
Where better to bring the Boucle trend when it resembles a fluffy cloud? The bedroom. Essentially lying on a cloud is a lifelong quest and I’m here to show you that there’s no need to close the book on your hopes and dreams. It’s possible. Many Boucle bed frames are simple in their design yet retain a sleek style, making them wonderfully versatile and compatible with the existing look and feel of your bedroom. If you’re looking for a simple nod to the trend, place a Boucle throw across the bed or on the arm of a chair to add a luxe finish.
As we’ve seen, Boucle is a stunning addition when applied on interiors as well as throws and pillows. That said, just because there are many choices on new pieces you could buy, it doesn’t mean a new purchase has to be made. An option could be taking something you own already and adding extra boucle zest to it.
If you want to have a go at doing it yourself, there are plenty of options when it comes to purchasing boucle fabrics on marketplaces including the likes of Etsy.
Photo credits: 1. Nordroom 3. Stefani Stein 4. Architectural Digest
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