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Soft to the touch and sumptuous to sit on, velvet sofas look and feel the part. They’re a popular pick for those looking to add a touch of luxury to their living room – and one of our favourite timeless designs. Read on to discover what makes velvet sofas a uniquely luxurious choice.
What is velvet?
Before we take a look at why velvet sofas are such a timeless living room statement, let’s get to know what velvet is, and how to look after it.
How is velvet made?
Velvet is woven using two layers of fabric which give it its distinctively soft feel. Velvet sofa, bed or dining chair – the thick and textural pile can be smoothed or lifted as you run your hand across it, moving the material from luxuriously shiny to rich in colour.
Are ‘velvet’ and ‘velour’ the same material?
Velour is an imitation of velvet, made more affordably from lower cost materials. It looks and feels similar to velvet, but lacks the same luxurious shine. The small fabric loops that give velvet its characteristically smooth texture are cut off, meaning velour loses its sheen.
Are velvet sofas easy to clean?
Velvet sofas are much easier to maintain than you might think. As with any material, the trick is to act as soon as any spillages or marks get on the fabric. You’ll find it easier to clean velvet furniture when the mark is still sitting on top of the fabric, before it sinks through and stains the base cloth.
How to clean a velvet sofa
Make sure to give your velvet sofa a gentle vacuum on occasion. And for more targeted cleans:
Use an absorbent cloth or kitchen towel to brush off dirt, or soak up your spillage. You’ll find that most liquids will form droplets on the material’s surface before sinking in any deeper.
Dampen a fresh, clean cloth in a dilute mix of warm water and washing-up liquid.
Gently dab the affected area to remove any marks. If it’s not quite budging, rub gently in the direction of the velvet’s natural pile.
Leave the material to air dry, or use a hair dryer on a cool setting to speed up the process a little.
Watch our video to see just how easy it is to keep your velvet looking good as new…
Is velvet pet-friendly?
A lot of pet owners avoid velvet because it looks so delicate. While the soft pile can catch pet hair, velvet’s ‘flat’ pile makes it one of the best fabrics because claws can't snag it. And, of course, hair can be hoovered away – it might just need a little extra maintenance, a little more often.
Should you choose a velvet sofa?
1. Is it practical?
Velvet was once reserved for the richest and most exclusive settings. So it’s no surprise that we often think of the material as delicate and hard to care for – but that’s not actually true. Modern, synthetic velvets crafted from high-quality polyester are less susceptible to marking, fading or crushing. So you get the real look and feel of velvet but with added protection.
2. Is it durable?
When picking out the perfect sofa for your home, durability is one of the most important things to consider. Not all velvets are created equal, so we use pure short pile polyester velvet across our velvet furniture collections. It’s been tested within British standards to 40,000 rubs - far above the 15,000 to 20,000 rub standard for the average home - making sure it lasts through plenty of cosy nights in without thinning out.
Velvet is also hard to snag, with no loose threads or raised weaves that can get caught on buttons or zips. Due to polyester being a synethic material Most polyester velvets are also stain resistant, so light marks caused by food or dirt can be easily brushed or hoovered away.
3. Is it comfortable?
Although the comfort of a sofa comes down to more than just fabric, velvet is characteristically soft to the touch. The feeling of running your hand up and down the rich material makes it immediately, irresistibly indulgent and inviting.
Velvet is associated with luxurious design. It’s more refined than natural fabrics like cotton and linen, and is often used to cover sophisticated furniture styles, like our Valentina Collection – a modern take on the classic Chesterfield style. Overly slouchy sofas can create a feeling of softness although quickly loss their finesse and shape. So we design our velvet sofas with a medium sit, blending high density foam and wrapping it in fibre for supportive comfort and cushions that don’t lose their shape.
4. Is it versatile?
Velvet has more depth than flat cotton or linen fabrics, making it ideal for a statement sofa that becomes the focal point of your room. The velvet catches and reflects light across its shapes and folds, giving the material’s colour a wonderfully rich finish. Velvet upholstery also reflects light instead of absorbing it, so you can place your sofa beside a dark wall or inside a shadowy corner to brighten things up.
Complement your current decor scheme with the calming champagne tones of Teagan design, lean into new neutrals with our olive green Gianna suite, or create an entirely original decor scheme centred on your velvet sofa.
So, is a velvet sofa right for you?
Velvet sofas blend sophisticated luxury and surprising practicality, making them a timeless centerpiece for modern living rooms. Pair our Velvet Sofa Collections with a pair of matching Armchairs, and extend the luxury beyond your living room with a set of luxurious Velvet Dining Chairs.
