While we are not one for favourites at Sofas & Stuff, we do believe that velvet upholstery deserves ample appreciation. Versatile, eye-catching and opulent, we have been upholstering velvet sofas, chairs and beds at Sofas & Stuff since we first began in 2009.
And is it any wonder why? Velvet is a perennial classic of upholstery fabrics, ideal for an array of interior decor styles and lifestyles. Below, you’ll find our top tips for choosing a velvet upholstery fabric for your handcrafted sofa, chair or bed.
Did you know we also offer the opportunity to order up to 8 free samples so you can experience the beauty and quality of our velvets in the comfort of your own home?
What to know about velvet fabrics
Velvet fabrics are an enduring symbol of luxury and sophistication, not just in upholstery but in fashion through the ages, too. With a distinctive look and feel – largely owing to its short, dense pile – velvet adds a plushness and inviting sheen to everything from sofas to garments.
Choosing a velvet for your home requires an understanding of the different types available and how they suit the various demands of domestic life. Read on to find out more; our design consultants are experts in fabrics and are also on hand across our showrooms to help out.
The different types of velvet upholstery
- Cotton velvet: Historically, velvet was created from silk yarn, but cotton velvets gradually replaced this very luxurious material. Natural cotton fibres give velvet a superior softness, but the fabric can be a little more high maintenance and more susceptible to marking from sticky little fingers or scratches from pet claws.
- Polyester velvet: For a greater balance of affordability, longevity and aesthetic appeal, polyester velvets have emerged as a wonderful alternative to cottons. Polyester velvet mimics silk velvet but is more practical for everyday use, able to be modified for enhanced stain resistance or easy cleaning.
- Mohair velvet: Made from the fleece of Angora goats, mohair velvet is a lustrous and luxurious fabric, also renowned for its durability. It resists crushing and creasing, making it suitable for high-traffic areas as well as rooms which demand a little extra elegance and lustre.
- Velvet blends: Blends of natural fibres like cotton with man-made yarns such as polyester create velvet upholstery fabrics which combine the best qualities of both. These blends enhance the fabric’s performance, making them ideal for busier homes, but retain the added softness of natural yarns.
- Crushed velvet: Characterised by its textured, shimmering surface, crushed velvet is made by twisting the fabric when it’s still wet and then pressing it to create the crushed look. This results in a unique pattern of light and shadow, creating a real statement piece.
- Embossed or printed velvet: These velvets feature patterns which are either pressed or printed onto the fabric, adding an extra dimension of texture and design. Whether through embossing or printing, these velvets offer both tactile and visual interest, making them an excellent choice for tailored, decorative pieces.
Velvet and other textiles
Velvet is a fabric unlike any other, and often those who choose it are seeking its unique qualities. Nevertheless, when deciding whether a velvet upholstery fabric is right for your home, it can be useful to compare its advantages and drawbacks with other fabrics, helping you to make a more informed decision.
- Velvet and linen offer different textures and appearances; velvet’s subtle sheen reflects light beautifully and gives upholstered furniture an opulence, while linen’s casual, matte finish is more natural and organic.
- Colours are often deeper and richer with a velvet fabric compared to a linen, where neutrals and paler shades are particularly effective.
- Linen ages gracefully but can wrinkle easily, giving it a more relaxed look. Velvet, particularly polyester blends, is particularly resistant to wear, scratches and snags and can give an elevated feel to furniture.
- Cotton offers a range of textures, from smooth to textured, but lacks the distinctive sheen of velvet. Similar to linen, it is more natural and relaxed in style.
- While printed and embossed velvets are available, a plain, coloured velvet is the classic style. Cotton fabrics, on the other hand, are particularly good for prints and patterns.
- Velvet can take a little extra care to maintain its appearance, such as regular brushing and careful cleaning, while cotton is relatively low-maintenance.
- Wool is known for its warmth and soft, slightly coarse texture, offering a cosy feel for fireside furniture. Its tailored look also particularly suits formal furniture pieces.
- Velvet can also be beautiful on formal and occasional furniture but has a softness that can also lend itself to comfortable furniture in family rooms.
- A cotton velvet is not naturally water or stain-resistant and will mark if water or another liquid is spilt and not addressed immediately. A synthetic velvet, though, does have greater stain resistance. Wool, however, is naturally water-repellent.
How to decide on a velvet upholstery for your home
Whether you’ve settled on choosing a velvet fabric for your made-to-order piece from Sofas & Stuff, or are still mulling it over, there are a few factors to consider. Velvet is a delight in rooms across the home, but ensure it fits into your lifestyle and décor with the below points.
- For velvet sofas in high-traffic areas, such as family living rooms, opt for a blended or polyester velvet to take advantage of its greater resistance to stains and marking. Look out for options highlighted as easy-to-clean or stain-resistant.
- In a more formal space, where furniture is just as much a question of aesthetics as it is functionality, you might consider a cotton velvet, where its inherent softness can shine.
- Velvet is a fantastic option for embracing rich jewel tones in everything from emerald green to burgundy, with its signature sheen adding another layer to the classic elegance of these shades.
- A patterned velvet upholstered is a natural statement piece. If you decide to be bold and select a patterned velvet fabric, you’ll want to take even greater care to consider the existing décor of your room.
- Consider the whole look you wish to achieve with your velvet sofa or chair; a plain velvet pairs beautifully and effortlessly with contrasting scatters in other fabrics, adding a softer feel to any room.
- Velvet is not as high maintenance as you may have been led to believe. It does, however, benefit from periodic brushing with a velvet brush which is the best way to collect dust and also keep its pile looking fresh.
- You can also use a hoover with the soft upholstery brush extension to keep crumbs and lint at bay.
- As with many fabrics, velvet may start to fade if placed in direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time, so position it away from these light sources if possible.
A selection of our velvet upholstery fabrics
We have a plethora of velvets in our fabric library, from stain-resistant blends to bold, designer prints. Below are some of our most beloved velvet collections and what makes them special. For a deeper dive, we invite you to visit one of our showrooms, where you can experience these sumptuous fabrics firsthand.
Essentials Fabrics: House Velvet
House Velvet is one of our bestselling collections. A short pile velvet with a matte finish, these fabrics are available in a spectrum of shades. Perfect for timeless pieces of furniture, House Velvet has a 100% polyester composition, lending resilience as well as softness and splendour.
House Velvet: Olive
House Velvet: Saffron
House Velvet: Petrol
Essentials Fabrics: House Clever Velvet
Designed with families and pet owners in mind, House Clever Velvet features advanced ‘Aqua Clean’ technology for easy cleaning of sticky marks and stains. This velvet combines practicality with comfort, with a blended composition of polyester, modacrylic and viscose.
House Clever Velvet: Fern
House Clever Velvet: Royal
House Clever Velvet: Aubergine
Signature Fabrics: Mohair Velvet
Mohair Velvet is a standout choice for those who appreciate luxury and sustainable choices. This velvet has a lustrous, resilient texture, owing to its 50% mohair fibre, sourced from the fleece of Angora goats. It is renowned for its crease-resistant qualities and rich sheen.
Mohair Velvet: Beetroot
Mohair Velvet: Rose
Mohair Velvet: Fir Green
Find your dream velvet upholstery fabric
Velvet has remained a timeless option for upholstery and will surely have a place in interiors for many years to come. From a deeply buttoned back to complementary linen scatter cushions, a velvet sofa, chair or headboard can be made your own with a few simple flourishes.
Whether your home is full of life, a tranquil retreat or something in between, velvet naturally adapts to you and comes in almost every colourway you could possibly imagine. If you’re leaning towards velvet upholstery, why not book a design consultation at your nearest showroom to get the expert advice of our team, or order your 8 free fabric samples today?
Velvet upholstery FAQs
Yes, you can. In fact, professional steam cleaning is the only way we recommend cleaning our upholstered furniture.
As with many upholstery fabrics, velvet can be prone to fading if exposed to direct sunlight for prolonged periods. Position your sofa, chair or bed away from light sources, if possible, to preserve its rich colour.
For homes with four-legged friends, a synthetic or synthetic-blend velvet is often the best choice. Sharp claws can easily mark a cotton velvet, but a polyester velvet should hold out against the everyday demands of a pet-friendly home.
Velvet’s versatility naturally lends itself to a range of styles. If you already have your eye on a model, it’s not unlikely that velvet will suit it. However, we personally think that velvet looks particularly fetching on a classic Chesterfield silhouette such as our Chiddingfold armchair, Arncliffe sofa or the Rouen High End bed.