We've been seeing traces of this material from the start of the year and we can't help but be certain that this opulent fuzzy fabric is the underdog of 2024. And after seeing it materialize in the form of Ashley Tisdale's stunning ochre sofa, we simply had to call on our experts to verify this trend.
Aside from its stylish finish and comforting appeal, it's also one of the biggest sofa trends we've spotted this year, with our editors spotting the textile at the biggest design shows in Paris and Milan this year.
Better still, it comes expert-approved, despite its somewhat controversial status. Some say its return is an ode to the 70s and some say it's an extension of quiet luxury, but one thing's for sure — chenille is the textile you should be keeping an eye out for.
Chenille is in its renaissance era and here's why
Drum roll please; the fabric in question is chenille. While we haven't been lucky enough to have been invited over to Ashley Tisdale's in order to know for sure, we're placing our bets on the fact that the ochre living room sofa idea in her home is crafted from this regal fabric.
Made to last, this material is so chic and its textural appeal is the kind that'll have you aching to sweep your fingers across it at first glance. Soft, stylish and so cozy, there's no wonder this material is making it back onto the front page and into luxury living rooms.
Interior designer Elizabeth Drake tells us that chenille has always been a staple in a designer’s material library but adds that it's perhaps forgotten during the most recent rise of boucle fabric, which is now waning a bit. 'Aside from chenille’s durability, what makes it desirable is the “hand” of the fabric,' says Elizabeth. 'It's so pleasant to touch, that you can find yourself petting it like a dog.'
Depending on the weave, Elizabeth tells us that it can reflect light with a luster similar to a velvet, but without the crushable drawback of velvet. 'I tend to design with it on the sofas, marrying its durability with the full impact of the sheen on a large upholstery piece,' says Elizabeth.
Jodi Peterman, founder of Elizabeth Erin Designs, tells us that chenille, with its wonderfully soft and textured surface that’s like a mix of velvet and corduroy, is absolutely on the rise. 'It's all about creating cozy, inviting spaces where you can really melt into your furniture and relax,' says Jodi. 'And this fabric is perfect for that, with its luxurious feel and the way it adds depth and warmth to any room.'
When it comes to the ultimate blend of comfort and style, Jodi finds that chenille is the real deal, another reason for the emerging sofa trend. 'Its plush texture is not only super soft to the touch but also adds a subtle sheen and variation that makes it visually interesting,' she says. 'It’s like giving your sofa a little extra personality!'
While chenille versatility makes it perfect for sofas, Jodi also points out that it works beautifully for a chair in zen reading nooks or intimate seating areas in family rooms. 'The way it catches and reflects light means it can fit seamlessly into modern and traditional interiors,' she notes. Her best tip for working with chenille is to pair it with leather or wood for a balanced, inviting space that feels both luxurious and liveable.
As you can tell, we've been keeping an eye on chenille for a while now but it's great to see the fabric getting its flowers again. Our fashion-forward interiors editor, Emma Breislin tells me that the design world's shift towards texturally intriguing rooms has played a part in making chenille the it girl it is right now. 'It’s soft and subtle, and a more durable fabric when compared to velvet, making it a good option for larger pieces of furniture such as sofas and armchairs,' she notes.
Emma also points out that the luxurious sheen that chenille reflects makes it fit right in with the ‘quiet luxury’ trend. And if there's one word we'd use to describe this sumptuous material it's definitely rich. 'In winter it’s particularly cozy, but be warned that come the hotter months, it isn’t always the most comfortable against your skin,' warns Emma. 'And it can also be quite prone to discoloration if it gets prolonged sun exposure.'
But other than that this material gets an A+ from us. If it's good enough for Ashley, it's good enough for us.
