• Interior Design
• Interiors
• Living rooms
• Rooms

Should you buy a velvet sofa?

As discussed in this weeks podcast, episode one of The Great Indoors, velvet furniture is all the rage and in terms of trends. Velvet sofas were every where during London design week, so there is no sign of our appetite for the soft stuff going any where soon. I have to admit, I fawn at the look of a velvet sofa, even before I’ve got up close and been seduced by their silken feel. I’m completely seduced by the tactile cosy feel and luxurious look that make you just have to have one.  Any colour looks a hundred times more ravishing when in velvet. Neutrals and greys have so much more interest and depth, dark colours pulsate with a sophisticated  glimmer and yet they really come into their own when you use velvet in a bright or jewel like shade. They become positively electric! However my velvet sofa, which I’ve had for four years is a 100% cotton velvet sofa from Sofa.com and while it feels like silk knickers to the touch it is very uncompromising when it comes to spills, and marks easily. Which means it’s hidden under a throw most of the time, a crying shame and completely contradicts the point in owning one! So it begs the question…should you buy into the trend for velvet sofa’s?

Sofa.com uses a 100% cotton velvet to cover most of their velvet sofas. They feel super soft to the touch but score poorly on durability and stain resistance. Covers are dry clean only. However they come in the most wonderful colours and if looked after well look the bizz. Bluebell three seat sofa bed in Olive cotton matt velvet, £2,570, sofa.com

So here are some things to think about when toying up if a velvet sofa is for you:

PROS

• If looked after well, a velvet sofa in a quality fabric can go the distance and last years.
• Synthetic velvet, like high-quality polyester is less likely to mark, crush or fade making it more durable and suitable for family living.
• Colours have far more depth and excitement than a flat cotton or linen fabric
• Velvet is difficult to snag, as it has no loose threads or raised weaves.
• The polyester velvets are stain resistant and marks like food or mud, brush off with ease.

LoveYourHome uses a 100% polyester velvet which has the look of cotton velvet, but not as silky soft to touch. It has a very high Martindale rub test of 100,000 and you can even wash the seat cushions covers in the washing machine at 40%. Ideal for families with children and pets, who want that luxurious look while remaining practical. Earl Grey 3 seat modern chesterfield in Tangerine Studio resistant velvet, £2,515, Love Your Home

CONS:

• Velvet is more susceptible to attracting pet hair and dust
• If exposed to direct sunlight, the fiber can weaken so think twice about positioning of velvet furniture in front of large sunny windows
• Velvet is more likely to attract dust and pet hair, so requires a more regular clean. Gently brush it at least once a week, if there is a lot of dirt, use a hoover with an upholstery attachment.
• Velvet soaks up liquid spills fast so best dealt with immediately
• Pure cotton velvet is notorious for bruising and watermarks and stains are not so easy to remove.

Loaf’s Clever deep velvet is 72% polyester 28% cotton, and boasts that you can wipe spills away. the cotton element keeps a softer feel. Covers are dry clean only, but you’ll need a specialist upholstery cleaner for fixed covers. Souffle in carnival clever deep velvet large £2,095, Loaf

In short you need to be realistic about what you are using the sofa for. For family homes with pets then I think the synthetic velvets are the only way to go. If you’re a neat freak or have plenty of fluffy friends, then you may end up getting annoyed by the way velvet attracts dust and pet hair, so perhaps velvet might not be for you. However this hasn’t been the case in my own (often dusty) home and my short haired bull terrier fur hasn’t attracted itself to the velvet sofa.

You can get the luxurious look for less on the high street. Otley medium sofa in sano velvet khaki £699, Marks and Spenser.

So should you buy a velvet sofa? I’d say absolutley, but go for a polyester based velvet if you are worried about durability in terms of removing spills and stains easily. Here are some styles that I loved direct to buy online now, in some of the most fashionable on-trend colours.

1. Poirot large sofa in monarch orange cotton velvet, £1,790, Arlo & Jacob | 2. Onassis in petrol blue velvet, £1,550, Andrew Martin | 3. Wallis 3 Seat in Varese emerald cotton velvet, £2,249, Heal’s | 4. Turin 3 seat in rouge cotton velvet £1,199, Swoon | 5. Sloan 2 seat in vintage gold, £849, made.com | 6. Lexington 4 seat in Pacific dusky velvet, £1838, Sofa Workshop | 7. Millie buttoned sofa in orange velvet, £1,985, Sweetpea & Willow | 8. Windsor 3 seat sofa in yellow velvet, £1399, DFS | 9. Clemence 4 seat in emerald green velvet, £2,400, Habitat | 10. Ikea Grevie 3 seat in blue velvet £825, Ikea

Holding image at top of post: Belgrave Medium 2 seat Harriet Mustard Aquaclean (cleans stains with just water) Velvet, £1,699, John Lewis.

CREDITS: Written and compiled by Sophie Robinson and Luisa Ferdenzi-Rouse.