Trend Exhaustion: The One Furniture Style the Home Editor is Sick of
The once popular marshmallow furniture trend, characterised by scalloped edges, pleated backs, and slouchy slip-covered frames, seems to be fading from home design trends. This evolution appears to be linked to a broader shift away from playful, retro-inspired pieces towards more sophisticated, polished, and timeless aesthetics.
In the mid-2020s, designers like Joanna Gaines moved from rustic farmhouse looks to refined, quiet luxury featuring softer edges, monochrome palettes, and statement lighting with materials like marble and French oak. This move reflects a general trend towards understated elegance rather than whimsical or bold novelty furniture styles such as marshmallow furniture.
The decline of marshmallow furniture can be attributed to several factors. For instance, comfort is no longer about staging for social media, but designing for personal spaces. Marshmallow furniture, with its bouclé pills and cheap foam, often felt stiff and every crumb became a cairn. Moreover, the aesthetic became diluted as it spread, losing what made it feel special.
Gritty materials and timeworn silhouettes are becoming popular in design, with designers favouring patina over polish and one-of-a-kind over mass-produced items. The digital hold of expensive bouclé chairs on 1stDibs is loosening, as designers move towards moodier palettes, such as charcoal velvet, oxblood leather, and mohair.
Emerging alternatives in 2023 and beyond include multi-functional furniture with hidden storage or versatile use, which appeals due to practicality and space efficiency. Natural materials like natural stone (travertine, marble, limestone) are favoured over high-maintenance textured surfaces, providing organic warmth and durability without cleaning difficulties.
Warm earthy tones, such as terracotta browns, are creating grounded and inviting spaces, moving away from bright, saturated colors often paired with marshmallow-style furniture. Playful, elevated charm can still be found in produce-inspired home decor and faux fruit motifs, but in accessory or decor form rather than large furniture pieces.
The era of marshmallow furniture is exiting the design scene, making way for more practical, natural, and sophisticated designs. Brands like Lulu and Georgia, and Roman and Williams Guild are leading the charge in this new trend. As we move forward, it's clear that comfort, practicality, and personal style are at the forefront of contemporary home design.
[1] Source: Interior Design Magazines [2] Source: Dunn-Edwards [3] Source: Home Decor Ideas [4] Source: The Spruce Crafts [5] Source: Architectural Digest
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