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Bouclé fabric has been trending in the interior design world over the last few years. If you don’t know bouclé, the most iconic examples are Chanel’s “buckled tweed” jacket and Eero Saarinen’s “Womb” chair, which were both introduced around 1950. The resurgence of midcentury design in the 2000s could be a reason for bouclé’s recent popularity. Further, like many great trends of the second millennia, the bouclé obsession was partly jump-started by lifestyle guru and actress, Gwyneth Paltrow. The 2018 collaboration between CB2 and her popular Goop brand featured furniture covered in the nubby fabric. 

By 2020, many textile manufacturers and furniture stores had added bouclé to their repertoire. But a mere five years later, designers have become tired of the bouclé furniture trend. Bouclé is made from curly, looped pieces of yarn, which add softness and visual interest to furniture. However, its looped design is also what makes it so difficult to maintain, and why homeowners are already looking to replace the bouclé pieces they bought a few years ago. 

The loops in bouclé fabric are easily snagged on pet claws, buttons, and, yes, even your partner’s wayward toenails. It is also prone to pilling and is hard to clean. Therefore, bouclé pieces can start to show age very quickly. White bouclé furniture is the most popular color choice and works beautifully in both boho and minimalistic styles. However, white furniture in general is hard to keep clean, and even worse when made of a delicate fabric.

Dirt and debris settle easily into the highly textured surface, and it takes several time-consuming and careful steps to get them removed. To clean bouclé furniture, first you have to vacuum the surface, then brush with a soft-bristled handheld broom. Next, gently spot-clean stains with a spray cleaner such as Resolve Upholstery & Multifabric spot and stain remover and towel dry completely.

There’s another reason the love affair with bouclé is fading, and it has nothing to do with the fabric itself. Any trend that gets overused can start to feel tired. The lack of originality, and the fact most homeowners and designers stuck to the same white pieces, has caused bouclé furniture fatigue. In essence, the furniture trend burned twice as bright and half as long. Minimalistic designs and all-white home decor are going out of style too, and they are taking white bouclé with them.  

If you love bouclé and never got a chance to jump on the trend, there’s good news. According to designers, you can still incorporate bouclé into your interiors, but the key is creativity. For example, colorful bouclé is just starting to have a moment, and design firms like Pierre Frey are releasing lines of brightly colored and patterned bouclé pieces in the near future. If you have the budget, you can also upgrade to higher-end bouclé, which is softer and more durable. You should also try thinking outside the box of bouclé sofa, ottoman, and oversized chair with round pillow. Instead, try a bouclé headboard, or keep it simple with a throw. These Art Deco-inspired Hyfirm bouclé dining chairs have unexpected gold accents, which take the look to a whole new level. 

However, you may be tired of the bouclé look altogether. In that case, try jewel-toned velvet, the current fabric trend that’s replacing bouclé furniture. Luxurious velvet may seem as fussy as bouclé; however, it is available in high-performance fabrics, and dirt doesn’t stick to its thin surface, allowing you to simply wipe it away. Rich jewel-tones are the perfect antidote to all-white bouclé furniture.