I know this won’t please everyone, but bouclé has had its moment – and in British homes, that moment is starting to feel… stale.
Bouclé has become the ultimate copy-and-paste fabric, a shortcut to looking curated without making any real design decisions. Walk through enough new-builds, renovations or rental flips, and the repetition is impossible to ignore. At its worst, bouclé now reads as lazy rather than luxurious, a safe choice that signals conformity instead of taste. Boucle offers one thing to a room, and that is texture, which is vital. However, designers and tastemakers are coming to realise that there are far better ways to achieve it that feel far more grown-up.
So, what's replacing bouclé? Wool feels richer and more intentional, faux fur and sheepskin bring depth without looking try-hard, velvet adds softness with structure, and tightly woven linens offer tactility without visual noise. These materials reward layering and variation rather than demanding centre stage.
In particular, I’m seeing a decisive shift towards wool. Not the scratchy, old-fashioned kind we associate with school uniforms or countryside coats, but richly woven, intelligently textured wool upholstery and soft furnishings that feel considered, timeless and far better suited to the realities of British living.
'Boucle has definitely had a huge moment, and I think that’s partly why it feels a little dated now,' says Cotswolds-based interior designer Sean Symington. 'It became synonymous with mid-century interiors, which saw a revival in modern interiors today, and as a result was widely used during this trend surge. Where it often falls is when it dominates a room, and it can make the whole space feel very trend-led, he explains
'British homes work well outside of this trend-led sphere,' he adds. 'Wool brings a cosy and grounding quality that feels more rooted in tradition, so it feels very well-suited to British interiors. With wool, I’d lean towards upholstery and textured tweeds in a classic pattern or brushed finishes to use as materials that add depth and comfort without tying a space to a specific moment in time.'
If bouclé has taught us anything, it is that texture alone is not enough. When a material is chosen primarily for its look rather than its longevity, it can age quickly, especially once it becomes widespread. Bouclé has a habit of looking tired faster than expected. The loops flatten, the surface loses definition, and what once felt plush can start to look worn rather than welcoming.
Cashmere, wool and other natural fibres behave differently. Wool upholstery and soft furnishings hold their shape, develop character over time and feel just as good in year five as they do on day one. Cashmere and cashmere blends bring softness without bulk, while felted and woven wools offer depth that does not rely on exaggerated texture. These materials improve with use, which is exactly what you want in a British home where rooms are lived in daily, not preserved for show.
There is also the question of climate and comfort. Wool is breathable, insulating and naturally resilient, making it far better suited to Britain’s cooler temperatures and variable humidity. It keeps rooms feeling warm without heaviness and soft without fragility. When texture is introduced through quality fibres and thoughtful layering rather than a single statement fabric, it feels timeless rather than trend-led. The result is a home that looks considered, comfortable and quietly confident long after bouclé has lost its appeal.
Chic Bouclé Alternatives
Now we are officially retiring all bouclé in British interiors, it's a reminder that for a refined and truly beautiful interior, try not to be swayed by fabric trends, and stick to the true classics.
