Is the Bouclé Furniture, the Viral Piece of Bedroom Furniture Disrupting Your Sleep?

Like most trends from the 70s and 80s, this viral fabric for bedroom furniture is now back and more popular than ever. I’m talking about bouclé, that wooly-looped fabric you might recognize with its cozy 70s vibes. 

The fabric is trendy nowadays for its soft, cozy feel, especially when it comes to bed frames, bedroom accent chairs, and blankets. If you’re an avid HGTV watcher, you’ve likely seen some form of this viral bouclé bedroom furniture in the past year or so. 

While the fabric might seem comfortable, some sleep experts say that bouclé is not the ideal fabric for getting a good night’s sleep. Here’s why.

Why Might Bouclé Furniture Disrupt Your Sleep?

The primary reason is that bouclé is not a breathable fabric. It is very heavy and thick, which can be problematic if you’re a hot sleeper or if you’re trying to sleep in this summer’s hot temperatures.  

Bouclé looks like a cozy fabric for the wintertime chills, however, it’s not the best year-round fabric for your bedroom, sleep experts warn. 

“While it creates a super snug environment, it can also make the space very warm. In fact, bouclé is one of the fabrics I would actively advise avoiding for those that struggle with sleeping in the heat, even if it’s solely on the bed frame,” Martin Seely, sleep expert and founder of MattressNextDay told BirminghamLive. (1)

This can be problematic for sleep quality since our bodies usually need a cool sleeping environment to get a good night’s rest.

Why Is It Important to Sleep In a Cool Room? 

Sleeping in a bouclé bed frame can add a heat source in your bedroom, which may create a warmer, less-than-ideal sleeping environment. 

It’s no secret that it’s no fun tossing and turning in a steamy room at night so it’s not surprising that our bodies find it easier to sleep in a cool room. 

“Bedroom temperature plays a significant role in sleep quality, as it affects the body’s ability to regulate its temperature during the night. If the bedroom temperature is too warm, it may interfere with the body’s ability to cool down, resulting in difficulty falling asleep or increased sleep disruptions,” says Dr. Raj Dasgupta, Sleepopolis’s Chief Medical Advisor. 

With that in mind, your comfort is one of the most important things when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep. If you’re a cold sleeper and you’re more comfortable with heavy blankets and fabrics, then maybe thick fabrics like bouclé aren’t an issue for you.

However, if heavy fabrics aren’t your idea of a comfortable night’s sleep, there are other options out there for you. 

What Bedding and Furniture Fabrics Are Better for Sleep?

If you’re looking for a potential alternative to the viral bouclé furniture and bedding but like the look of fabric furniture, other options such as linen and cotton can be stylish, breathable, and promote better sleep.

“Natural fabrics like cotton and linen tend to be more comfortable and breathable than synthetic fabrics,”  says Dr. Dasgupta. 

Not only that, but cotton tends to be more durable than bouclé, which tends to snag easily. 

“Cotton is one of the most common organic materials used in bedding and pillows, as it is soft, durable, and breathable,” says Dr. Shelby Harris, Sleepopolis’s Director of Sleep Health. 

Luckily fabric bedframes and other furniture with linen are very “in” nowadays, so there are plenty of options if you prefer the look and feel of lighter fabric. 

As always, it’s best to keep your personal needs and preferences in mind when it comes to creating your best sleep environment. 

Emma Ernst

Emma Ernst is an editorial intern at Sleepopolis. A rising senior at the University of South Carolina, studying public relations and Spanish, Emma is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and loves to talk about anything Midwestern!