Create An Inexpensive DIY Bouclé Chair Using One Clever Pool Noodle Hack

White and cream bouclé or sherpa fabric is having a moment in contemporary design right now, reigning as one of the coziest and most coveted textures for everything from handbags and jackets to sofas to accent chairs. That luxurious texture can come with a stylishly hefty price tag, though, ranging anywhere from $800 to $1500 for a single chair from many higher-end retailers. Youtube DIY design expert Lone Fox, however, has a great hack that can turn an inexpensive IKEA chair into a bouclé masterpiece, all for around $300.

The secret? Pool noodles! These multi-functional inexpensive foam pieces have often played a key role in some great design hacks in recent years, including as a way to add a tufted finish to upholstered pieces like headboards. If you are looking to create a striking and inexpensive version of the popular bouclé cloud sofas and chairs with their rounded shapes and soft curves, this DIY project is a must.

Lone Fox begins with IKEA's popular TULLSTA chair, which you can purchase just as a frame without the additional slipcover for under $200. Other materials you will need include ½ inch staples, a staple gun, a glue gun, and scissors. Many fabric stores have a large selection of bouclé, faux fur, and sherpa fabrics in rich, creamy whites with various textures, weights, and price points. Lone Fox's project wound up using 3 ½ yards of a luxurious upholstery-grade sherpa that came in at just under $40 per yard.

He begins by starting the fabric around the outer frame of the chair, using the staple gun to adhere it firmly. He then glues down the bisected pool noodles to form a curve, which he then covers in fabric and staples in the creases. He repeats the process around the entirety of the chair, creating soft waves, which he finishes by stapling underneath. He then covers the interior back of the chair by stapling and pleating additional fabric and adds a bottom panel to the front. The final step is covering the chair's seat cushion, which he does by sewing the fabric to the underside of the cushion with a large needle and embroidery thread.

The look of Lone Fox's chair transformation is stunning in light of its small price point. With this fabric and style on the rise, many designers and homeowners have been looking for alternatives to the luxe price tags that usually accompany these pieces. Tik Tokker @homeofshade recently gave a tutorial on how to cover an existing sofa with soft fleece blankets for a similar effect. Other bloggers have been sharing their ideas for creating the expensive look of bouclé at a bargain.

If you are looking to bring this stylish element into your home, look for durable bouclé fabrics, faux furs, and sherpas that are soft but also hardy to withstand wear and resist stretching when used on seating pieces. While blankets and ordinary-grade fabrics may be less expensive alternatives per square foot, you may want to opt for upholstery-grade fabrics that, while a little more expensive, will stand up over longer periods of time.