Nate Berkus champions a surprising choice of furniture in the kitchen – but we're on board

Interior designer Nate Berkus brings bouclé into the kitchen – it's a surprising design choice but it's a style we're loving

Headshot of Nate Berkus
(Image credit: Getty Images / NBC / Contributor)

Celebrated interior designer Nate Berkus champions all things bouclé in his latest Instagram post. Whilst it's a fabric prized for its chic aesthetic and cozy appeal, Berkus has introduced us to an uncommon design choice: opting to style it in the kitchen.

Taking to Instagram, Berkus shared images of two different Los Angeles kitchens in differing interior styles, both featuring the same set of bouclé trend stools. 

The stools promote minimalist kitchen design, combining a sleek black frame with a soft gray, bouclé-upholstered cushioning.

'Bouclé has a femininity to it, it's a tactical fabric that instantly adds warmth and softness and it's easy to see why people are drawn to it,’ explains Melissa Read, Creative Director at interior design studio Studio Burntwood. ‘Luxury fabric houses continue to expand their bouclé collections, with hundreds of different color and texture variations suited to any upholstery or window dressing imaginable.’

Whilst you may think bouclé is a fabric that should be reserved for cozy living room ideas and bedroom ideas, Berkus makes a case for incorporating the luxurious fabric into the kitchen; an intriguing design choice. ‘It’s important to find pieces for clients that stand the test of time and can work in new spaces as they move, like these stools,’ Berkus writes in the post’s caption, making reference to the longevity of the furniture piece.

Read also vows to the fabric’s surprisingly resilient nature, explaining: ‘Despite its subtle appearance, bouclé is typically made of wool and can be extremely hardwearing and durable.’

melissa read of burntwood studio
Melissa Read

Melissa Read attended the KLC School of Design in Chelsea before working at London's best-regarded interior design studios. Now Creative Director of Studio Burntwood, an interior design studio that specializes in luxury residential interior design for private clients and property developers.

Taking on the insight from the design experts, we’re excited to see this looped-yard fabric as a more common addition to rooms such as the kitchen. Popular for its elegant aesthetic appeal whilst bringing texture to a space, it’s a design style that nods to the quiet luxury trend and can be used across many different furniture types, as Read explains: ‘We find a bouclé fabric works beautifully on a headboard, ottoman or accent armchair.’ 

Elevate your home with bouclé

Whether you’re feeling inspired to bring bouclé into your luxury kitchen design, or would rather opt to keep this soft fabric to your simple living room ideas, we’ve selected a few of our favorite bouclé furniture items for you to shop below. 

Emily Moorman
Contributing Writer

Emily is a freelance interior design writer based in Scotland. Prior to going freelance in the spring of 2025, Emily was Homes & Gardens’ Paint & Color Editor, covering all things color across interiors and home decor for the Homes & Gardens website. Having gained specific expertise in this area, Emily is well-versed in writing about the latest color trends and is passionate about helping homeowners understand the importance of color psychology in home design. Her own interior design style reflects the simplicity of mid-century design and she loves sourcing vintage furniture finds for her tenement flat.