Incredibly cozy, sumptuously soft, and effortlessly stylish — it is easy to see why velvet has been a go-to sofa fabric for creating luxurious looks. But the popular velvet fabric can sometimes come off as a little intimidating. Velvet sofas are too expensive, too difficult to care for, or too old-fashioned. Some of the common things you’ve heard, right?
So, we’re here to dispel those rumors and help you get rid of any lingering doubts. Read on to learn everything you need to know before buying a velvet couch.
Should I Buy A Velvet Sofa?
Buying a velvet sofa is a daunting decision — but not if you’ve done good research. While hunting through different stores to land a high-quality option is essential, learning and implementing the right maintenance tips is equally important to keep the sofa in a perfectly new condition for years.
Here’s our simple verdict: Buying a velvet sofa is a great choice. The incredible durability and high-end look it provides make it a practical and aesthetic option for every interior, regardless of the design style.
Velvet Sofa Types
Velvet sofas come in tons of different types—so here’s a short list to help you find the product you’re thinking of.
Traditional Velvet Sofas
Credit: Alchemy Home
Looking for a hint of vintage decor? A traditional velvet sofa has got you covered. Bonus points if you find a lovely choice like the Castelle Blue Sofa. Featuring a tufted design and gold-dipped legs, the couch is the ideal choice for a retro-style living room.
Modern Velvet Sofas
Credit: Homary
Being a popular interior design trend for 2024, modern velvet sofas are currently making a hit. The sleek modern designs combined with the luxurious velvet fabric explain why the contemporary couch is becoming a favorite. One of our favorite picks is the grey velvet upholstered sofa. Designed with utmost attention, the sofa lends a luxurious touch to the living room. It comes in three different colors and is made of high-density foam to enhance its practicality.
Corner Velvet Sofa
Credit: Homary
What better way to utilize an awkward corner or dead space than with a stylish corner velvet sofa like the mustard-paneled velvet couch? When styled correctly, the sofa can make your living room feel worth a million bucks. Not to mention, the comfortable material and sturdy construction ensure long-lasting comfort and durability.
2-Seater Velvet Sofa
Credit: Alchemy Home
Being tight on square footage doesn’t mean you have to compromise on quality or aesthetics. With something like the Lilina 2-seater sofa, even the tiniest of apartments can look magnificent — thanks to the beautiful velvet upholstery. Pair the couch with a white velvet armchair, an oak-wood coffee table, and a metal accent table for a fancy touch.
Pros and Cons of Modern Velvet Sofas
Sofas are a sizeable investment — and while a velvet couch looks extremely appealing, considering the pros and cons can help you judge the material beyond your personal preference.
Pro: Feels Great
Velvet sofas have an inherently cozy feel, which explains why they’re perfect for a relaxing setting, such as the one in a living room. After all, who wouldn’t want to sink into the wonderfully tactile touch of velvet?
Pro: Super Versatile
The fabric is available in a wide array of forms: velvet sofas, velvet benches, velvet armchairs, velvet sleeper beds, velvet ottomans, you name it! Each piece beautifully transcends trends and styles, making sure your living room remains classic all year, all seasons.
Pro: Easy to Clean
The easiest way to clean a velvet sofa is to include it in your regular cleaning routine. When vacuuming the floor, use the hand-held nozzle to extract any dirt trapped in the fabric pile. For spills, you can easily dab the liquid with a damp towel. The fabric is treated with stain repellants, so you only have to worry about stains that might dry out.
Pro: Highly Durable
Velvet is made to last. For example, synthetic velvet, like the one made from good quality polyester, does not have loose threads or raised weaves, which is why it is less susceptible to marking, crushing, or fading.
One thing you might notice is that velvet ruffles up or becomes “bruised” when you sit on it. Though the pile gradually returns to its original state, some heavier marks may become permanent. But why not think of them as a sense of patina that gives your velvet sofa a unique touch and more sense of character?
Con: Prone to Damage
Maintaining and cleaning a velvet sofa can go a long way in protecting its original condition. However, the scratches caused by our furry friends or the dried stains from the spillages made by your toddler aren’t easy to conceal — especially because the sofas don’t usually have removable covers. Not to forget, removing pet hair and lint is a whole new level of struggle.
Con: Collect Dust
Without proper cleaning, velvet sofas tend to collect much more dust than other fabrics like leather. So, if you’ve got someone allergic to dust mites, a velvet sofa might not be the best choice — unless you can frequently and meticulously clean the couch.
Con: Can be Hot
Due to the thick and heavy texture of the fabric, velvet sofas aren’t suited to people living in warm climates or rooms that receive long hours of sunshine.
Best Colors for a Velvet Sofa
Credit: Alchemy Home
A rare yet warm and inviting sofa color, auburn is set to give your living room a one-of-a-kind look. Here are a few fun and simple styling tips for the unique sofa hue;
Keep the overall color palette neutral.
Add throw pillows in distinct shades like gold or burgundy.
Present knits for a cozy vibe.
Add metallic accents and artwork to tie the look together.
Maintain a balanced interior to allow the auburn velvet sofa to be the focal point.
Credit: Alchemy Home
Though navy blue is a bold color, it is one of the easiest shades to work with. The hue sits perfectly with multiple other shades on the color wheel, including lighter tones like coral, gold, and cream and bright hues like orange.
Credit: Homary
A toned-down living room with a neutral color scheme can easily become boring — but not with a grey velvet sofa. The luxe fabric introduces texture and interest to a room without overpowering the minimal theme of a contemporary interior.
Final Words
Despite the ‘delicate, expensive, and old-fashioned’ reputation of a velvet sofa, it proves to be a super practical choice that instantly uplifts the interior. In case you’re confused about
how to style a velvet sofa, sign up here for weekly inspiration!