Our helpful guide to velvet furniture covers style tips, colour matching and aftercare. Read more here.
With its distinctive and luxurious texture, velvet is a versatile fabric that easily adds a glamorous feel to any interior. And with a wide range of velvet furniture and accessories available, you can opt to go all out, or keep it simple.
Before you dive in head-first into this trend, there are a few crucial points to consider before introducing velvet to your home. We’ve put together a helpful guide covering topics like style tips and different finishes, all the way up to cleaning a velvet sofa. So whether you’re just getting acquainted with this decadent fabric or shopping for your first piece of velvet furniture, read on to get started.
Before it became a source of inspiration for countless Pinterest boards, velvet first got its illustrious start in the Far East. These materials were also costly to produce, making it available exclusively to royalty, and wealthy families. Today, they’re produced in a range of styles and colours to suit different lifestyles and homes and are improved for easier care and maintenance.
A key part of velvet’s success with modern trends is its adaptability – it shines in minimalist Scandi spaces, as well as dramatic Art Deco-inspired interiors. And most importantly, it continues to evoke a cosy, inviting feel, whether taking the form of a statement armchair or a couple of well-placed pillows.
Types of velvet
So, where to begin? There’s plenty to choose from, so it’s important to do some research on some of the popular types of velvet before you start adding to your shopping list.
Some well-known options
Silk Velvet
Shimmery finish, lightweight fabric.
Cotton velvet
Sturdy fabric, with a matte finish, often mixed with polyester.
Wool velvet
Heavy, thick but soft fabric. Ideal for colder months.
Linen velvet
Soft, breathable and cool fabric, often with a rugged finish.
Synthetic velvet
100% synthetic or mixed with natural fibres. More wear resistant.
Crushed velvet
Striking, lustrous material with a “crinkly” appearance.
An easy way to start with velvet is by styling with accessories – think pillows, curtains and even lamps for a unique, retro touch. But if you’re really looking to set the scene, velvet furniture is the way to go.
Start off by picking the right colour. Deep, richer hues like navy, green and fuschia are excellent for colour blocking, offering contrast in light interiors and evoking a glamorous feel in homes. But, it’s not all bold and dark shades – velvet looks equally good in pastels and neutrals too. Shades like dusty pink, grey and baby blue add an elegant, softer touch to modern spaces while keeping things fresh and polished.
If you’re looking to embrace velvet’s bolder side, we recommend crushed velvet for a striking, eye-catching approach. This ultra-glam finish creates a showstopping look, whether you opt to use it as pillows or statement furniture. Its silvery sheen catches the light beautifully, making crushed velvet a perfect choice for sofas, or even dining chairs for a high-impact centrepiece in the dining area.
The bedroom is also a perfect spot to introduce velvet. This fabric works well with other finishes like fur, woven knits and linen, so it’s the perfect opportunity to layer up and create a snug, stylish room to sleep in.
Bold colours work well with unique bed frames, and they’ll also give the room a fresh, updated touch. You can also opt for pastels for a relaxed, contemporary vibe, like cool greys or the current It neutral: millennial pink.
If you’re looking for more velvet decorating ideas, check out our styling guide.
It’s a common misconception that velvet is high maintenance - this fabric is actually made to last and holds up well in all parts of the home. With a proper cleaning routine, your velvet furniture will only look better with age. We break down some helpful tips on cleaning a velvet sofa below.
Basic Care
If the fabric is in a bright, pigmented colour, direct sunlight may cause the fabric to fade.
For regular maintenance, a soft double-sided brush will help keep dirt at bay by using the flat side to remove lint, dirt, and pet hair. Brush in one direction to remove all dirt from the furniture. Next, gently repeat with the soft bristle side to get rid of remaining fuzz.
For velvet fabrics that are starting to lose their sheen, brush against the pile to restore its appearance. If your sofa or cushion has removable covers, remove them and gently steam the reverse side of the upholstery.
Spills and Stains
It’s recommended to attend to spills immediately with a good quality stain remover to avoid lasting stains. Tackle wet stains with a damp towel or a dry absorbent cloth.
If the stain is dry, try testing basic cleaning products such as soap and water on a hidden spot first to ensure it doesn’t ruin the fabric. Mix soap and water to create a foamy solution, then use a soft cloth and lightly blot the stain with the suds. Let the fabric air-dry.
