Sherpa Vs Boucle Furniture: What's The Difference, And Which Is Right For Your Home?

Shopping for furniture is no easy task — one that can require an immense investment of time, energy, and money. In addition to figuring out what kind of piece you're searching for, you also need to consider the right materials for your upcoming purchase. Failing to thoroughly research this aspect is a common furniture-buying mistake that can spell disaster if you inadvertently choose an incompatible type of material for a sofa, loveseat, or other piece of furniture. Two fairly popular furniture materials are sherpa and bouclé — learning about each can help you narrow your search and select one that's right for your home.

Bouclé refers to a weaving technique that utilizes a looped yarn design, giving furniture a unique, textured appearance and feel. The material originated in the 19th century in France and gained acclaim in the mid-20th century. The trend is still somewhat popular today. Bouclé pieces may be a good choice if you're looking for an intriguing yet structured aesthetic that's not as present in traditional upholstery fabric types. Sherpa furniture, on the other hand, is the way to go if you prefer the cozy, warm feel of sheepskin. It's named after the people who live in the Nepalese Himalayas and commonly use authentic, plush sheep's wool as clothing. Synthetic sherpa, which is usually crafted from materials like acrylic or polyester, has an incredibly soft and comfortable surface, and it's likely that you've seen sherpa throws or rugs at home retail stores. Both bouclé and sherpa have benefits, but as you'll see below, they are wildly different from one another in appearance and performance.

At first glance, you'll notice that bouclé furniture has a very structured appearance — much more so than sherpa. The unique looping technique provides an instant degree of visual appeal; its textured weave also makes it a durable option for upholstery fabric, especially if it's made from polyester. Bouclé could be a good choice for homes where hosting is a regular activity, with its surface less readily showing signs of wear and tear than a sherpa-covered counterpart. However, before you buy into the bouclé trend, keep its cleaning needs in mind to make this type of furniture last. Thorough cleanings should incorporate an appropriate balance of removing loose dirt, vacuuming, and spot cleaning, which should leave your piece looking fresh for many years.

Pet owners are often accustomed to weighing their furry friends into furniture-buying decisions — you'll want to do just this when considering a bouclé piece. Depending on the size and breeds of your pets, bouclé can be moderately pet friendly. That said, the material can snag easily, so it's a poor choice for clawed cat lovers and owners of destructive dog breeds. If you have pets and want to acquire a bouclé piece, consider purchasing a durable cover, which can allow your pet to cuddle with you, sans any risk to the furniture's lifespan. Finally, it's worth knowing that bouclé furniture can have a higher price point than some competing types of upholstery, making it an investment of sorts.

Depending on your parameters, sherpa could be a clear winner over bouclé. For starters, unlike bouclé's highly structured surface, sherpa presents a much more casual, fluffy appearance, creating an inviting and cozy surface to lounge upon. While sherpa is very plush, it's a less durable option than boucle and is likely to become matted down over time. It's difficult to say how pet-friendly sherpa furniture will be in your home. Due to its soft texture, it is sure to be a favorite of your dog or cat, but its less-durable nature could detract from its pet-friendliness. Like with bouclé, the best call is to purchase a specially made cover for your sherpa piece if you hope to get years of use out of it. 

Sherpa can be more challenging to clean than bouclé, making it a less-enticing option for homes with animals accustomed to being on furniture. For your best shot at an effective clean, vacuuming regularly with an upholstery attachment will keep dirt and debris at bay. To remove stains, you'll want to use gentle cleaning compounds, cold water, and a blotting motion. If you've been heavy handed with your cleaning approach, you can learn how to restore your sherpa item after too many washes. Lastly, sherpa is a more economical purchase than bouclé, which might tip the scales in its favor, depending on your financial status. While there's no clear winner, being informed about the pros and cons of sherpa and bouclé can help the decision-making process.