We loved boucle, but design trends don’t last forever – and it’s time to upgrade. If you want your home to feel more modern without trying too hard, you’ll want to know what textures, fabrics, and furniture silhouettes to buy in its place.
Don’t Miss: Boucle Was Always Low-key Luxury
Whether woven into blankets, pillows, or upholstery boucle has always spoken the language of comfort. Cozy without trying too hard, boucle textures have been popular on sofas and chairs for years.
Problem is…it feels like every sofa, armchair, accent chair, ottoman, and bench we see these days features boucle. It’s starting to look…well, tired.
Designers know it’s time for something new, something less predictable and a little more tailored, while still keeping the soft appeal we love.
- Buy textiles with a cleaner linen blend.
- Choose velvet for a richer feel.
- Pick leather to add interest as it ages.
- Try wool for upholstery that lasts.
- Consider chenille for something smoother.
These don’t mean screaming luxury or getting rid of cozy altogether. It just means buying things with texture that actually feel luxe without looking like every other showroom floor.
These Textures Are In:
When choosing fabrics that look current you need to think about how they interact with light and shape. The best fabrics to swap for boucle are ones that add visual interest and give furniture definition.
Linen is our top pick because it feels casual but not quite as casual as boucle. It’s perfect for sofas, sofa covers, and curtains when you want texture that’s soft but not busy.
- Lighten up with airy washed linen.
- Invest in performance fabrics like linen.
- Add interest with micro suede finishes.
- Keep calm and go with cotton.
- Try woven wool for a quiet twist.
When styled well linen and other textured fabrics like the ones listed above feel fresh because they don’t shout for attention. You know what we’re talking about – those fabrics that look adorable on the showroom floor but somehow lose their charm as soon as you buy them.
Why Smooth Fabric Feels so Sophisticated
Part of why designers are moving away from boucle is that it’s equal parts cozy and bulky. Once you opt for something smooth and sleek you instantly change the vibe of any piece.
When fabric has a tight weave or smooth surface you let the furniture’s natural shape do the talking. Silhouette has become more important than ever in modern spaces and you should treat it that way.
Few things immediately elevate a room like a camel colored leather wingback chair or a slim velvet bench. When the material is supportive of a piece rather than the focal point it often feels more high-end.
Materials That Age Well
Think of all the trendy furniture you’ve bought over the years that looked great when it was brand new but wore out too quickly. Choose furniture materials that will get better with age instead of trying to keep up with what’s trendy.
The best way to do this? Invest in materials that are known for aging well. Things like leather which gets more beautiful with age and high-quality wools that are forgiving when it comes to everyday life.
- Animal leather only gets better.
- High-quality velvet is made to last.
- Pick wool that will hold up to traffic.
- Choose tightly woven cotton.
- Natural fabrics are always smarter.
Just because you invest in timeless fabrics doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice texture. Materials like leather and wool are luxurious and soft too.
Room by Room: Replacing Boucle
Replace doesn’t have to happen overnight. Focus on the larger pieces in each room that are commanding the most attention and swap them out for something that’s more you.
Think living room fabrics that make sense if you entertain a lot or bedroom textures that feel good against your skin. You’ll be surprised how much swapping out boucle will change the feel of your home.
Rather than a boucle sofa consider a linen slipcover or leather lounge chair for the living room. For the bedroom, try upholstered headboards with velvet or wool upholstery to keep things soft but tailored.
If you have a dining nook, look for seating options with less bulky fabric or even wood and textile mixes. Swap fluffy pillows for some with smooth surfaces and you’ll see what we mean.
Color Palette Ideas for Your New Fabrics
When done right your fabric choices can look amazing with the right color palette. A lot of boucle textures were bogged down by beige and ivory which can make rooms feel bland and impersonal.
Brighten up your space by choosing textiles that look stunning with deep neutrals and richer colors. Try olive green, tobacco, chocolate brown, charcoal grey, navy blue, and even burnt orange.
Colors like these help furniture feel anchored and modern. They also can completely change the way we view texture. Take a matte olive linen sofa for example. It feels modern because it isn’t trying too hard.
Silhouette Is Everything When You’re Done With Boucle
Switching out boucle fabrics isn’t the only thing you should be thinking about. If you love oversized furniture pieces that are bulky and lacking any real shape you may never win the fight against tired textiles.
Look for furniture with clean lines that contrast with the soft fabrics you’re buying. Maybe that meansarms that are slightly squared off, legs that are slim rather than bulbous, or even a curved but structured silhouette.
Often less is more when it comes to designing around trendy textures. One single leather or velvet chair that is well constructed can do more for a room than three boucle sofas.
Shopping for Pieces You’ll Love for Years
Don’t want to end up back in this position a few years down the road? Focus on buying furniture that is versatile. Choose fabrics that transition through seasons and silhouettes that won’t feel dated if your style evolves.
Here’s a trick. Look at a piece you’re wanting to buy and ask yourself, Will I still love this if I change my style next year? If the answer is no, chances are that piece is trendy—not timeless.
Make sure the furniture you buy feels comfortable. If it feels good you’ll use it and if you use it chances are you won’t mind how it looks year after year. That’s how you know when you’ve bought something you’ll love for the long haul.
