Your Guide to Velvet Furniture: Tips & Care
When it comes to choosing glamour and style, there’s one material that’s hard to beat. Velvet is a versatile fabric that brings both aesthetic appeal and practical benefits to your home. Its dense, plush pile offers a soft, cosy feel, while its durability offers long-lasting beauty when properly maintained.
Whether you're looking to make a bold statement with vibrant colours or prefer a subtle touch with pastels, velvet furniture can enhance your decor. With its short, densely packed pile, it also provides a plush and soft feel, adding a touch of glamour. Plus, its durable and tactile nature makes this fabric long-lasting when well cared for.
Why velvet?
Velvet has a timeless appeal and can make a statement in your room. Due to its dense pile, velvet provides a cosy, soft feel, ideal for settling down with friends and family for the evening. This fabric has a cushioning effect and can also withstand time. Its tightly woven fibres mean there is less chance of the colour fading, making velvet upholstery perfect for living rooms and bedrooms. Its comfortable, soft feel and durable nature make velvet a great fabric for both decorative accent chairs and more practical armchairs.
How to care for your velvet
Although velvet is a durable material, it requires care to maintain its shine and soft feel. Here are some tips to help you care for your velvet furniture:
Maintenance
To ensure the longevity of your velvet furniture, use a soft dry brush to remove dirt. Brush the velvet in the direction of the fabric pile, and afterwards, use a hover to remove dust. If the furniture starts losing its colour, brush the fabric against the fibres to restore its sheen. Another tip for keeping the colour intact is to avoid placing the velvet furniture under direct sunlight.
Spillages
If a spillage occurs, be sure to use a clean, dry cloth and gently dab the affected area. However, if the stain has already dried, use a damp cloth with warm, soapy water to help lift it. Afterwards, allow your chair to air dry.
Styling your velvet furniture
Whether you want to colour block or layer with textures, velvet upholstery can create a glamorous look. If you want your furniture to offer contrast, consider infusing the space with a navy or bottle green accent chair. Interior designer India Mahdavi says, “'I use velvet a lot because it's soft and curvy and I like straight flashes of colour in a room.” You can achieve this by pairing a rich-coloured velvet sofa like sapphire blue against a patterned wall. Additionally, you could use a wall pattern which uses hints of the sofa’s colours to ensure harmony in the décor.
Alternatively, you can add a softer touch by using pastel hues for your velvet furniture. Consider light tones such as blush pink, grey and gold to seamlessly blend. Additionally, you can combine other fabrics with velvet to create depth. Pair your velvet wingback chair with a silk throw and patterned cushion to create a luxury spot for curling up with a book. Or opt for a velvet recliner chair for an at-home cinema, where you can place a side table nearby for drinks and snacks.
By following simple care tips and creatively styling your pieces, you can enjoy the timeless elegance of your velvet furniture for years to come. For more tips on maintaining your chairs, read our ultimate fabric chair care guide.
