Discover the Value of Velvet for Your Sofa
Choose the right kind of velvet and say aah to luxurious, long-wearing loveliness
Laura Oglethorpe
8 June 2017
Houzz Contributor
Many people love the look and luxury of velvet but hesitate to cover furniture in it because they’ve heard it’s hard to maintain. That isn’t necessarily true. Read on to learn when velvet could be a good choice for your sofa and which kind to choose.
Pile and nap
Pile refers to the length of the fibres that stick up from the upholstery backing. Velvet has a signature short pile. During the manufacturing process, longer threads are cut to create a soft, plush surface.
Nap refers to the direction the fibres lie in. Certain velvets reflect light differently depending on the direction of the nap. That’s why velvet can look lighter or darker when you run your hand across it, changing the direction of the fibres. This is a good thing – it’s this characteristic that accentuates items covered in velvet and makes tufted velvet furniture so visually appealing.
Pile refers to the length of the fibres that stick up from the upholstery backing. Velvet has a signature short pile. During the manufacturing process, longer threads are cut to create a soft, plush surface.
Nap refers to the direction the fibres lie in. Certain velvets reflect light differently depending on the direction of the nap. That’s why velvet can look lighter or darker when you run your hand across it, changing the direction of the fibres. This is a good thing – it’s this characteristic that accentuates items covered in velvet and makes tufted velvet furniture so visually appealing.
Colour
Velvet’s dense pile means it displays colour very well. The density allows velvet to absorb a large amount of dye, creating an intense, rich tone. Velvet will have a much deeper colour than a similarly dyed piece of flat-weave cotton or linen.
Velvet’s dense pile means it displays colour very well. The density allows velvet to absorb a large amount of dye, creating an intense, rich tone. Velvet will have a much deeper colour than a similarly dyed piece of flat-weave cotton or linen.
Quality
Not all velvet is the same quality. To compare two pieces, look at the density of the backing fabric and the pile, the thickness of the yarn and the fibre content. Bending a sample on the diagonal allows you to see how tightly the fabric has been woven. If it’s easy to see the backing through the fibres, it means the velvet has fewer fibres per square inch and is of lesser quality.
Not all velvet is the same quality. To compare two pieces, look at the density of the backing fabric and the pile, the thickness of the yarn and the fibre content. Bending a sample on the diagonal allows you to see how tightly the fabric has been woven. If it’s easy to see the backing through the fibres, it means the velvet has fewer fibres per square inch and is of lesser quality.
Durability
A common measure of durability is the rating given to a particular fabric based on a ‘rub test.’. This is a measure of the number of double rubs (what happens when someone sits down and stands back up) before the fabric shows evident wear or two or more threads have broken. Many velvets receive a heavy-duty rating, with some measuring as high as 250,000 double rubs.
A common measure of durability is the rating given to a particular fabric based on a ‘rub test.’. This is a measure of the number of double rubs (what happens when someone sits down and stands back up) before the fabric shows evident wear or two or more threads have broken. Many velvets receive a heavy-duty rating, with some measuring as high as 250,000 double rubs.
Crushing
Even a highly durable velvet may be susceptible to the pile flattening from normal use. The tendency of velvet to crush is not a defect, so know that it’s likely to happen. Some people like the crushed appearance and appreciate the look of a well-used piece. That said, some types of velvet are less prone to crushing because of their fibre content and density of weave.
Even a highly durable velvet may be susceptible to the pile flattening from normal use. The tendency of velvet to crush is not a defect, so know that it’s likely to happen. Some people like the crushed appearance and appreciate the look of a well-used piece. That said, some types of velvet are less prone to crushing because of their fibre content and density of weave.
Material
Velvet can be woven from almost any fibre. You can find velvet made from natural fibres, cellulose (viscose/rayon or modal) or synthetic products. Two kinds of fibres are often combined to create a velvet with the best qualities of both.
Velvet can be woven from almost any fibre. You can find velvet made from natural fibres, cellulose (viscose/rayon or modal) or synthetic products. Two kinds of fibres are often combined to create a velvet with the best qualities of both.
Silk velvet
Silk velvet is soft and smooth to the touch and is so lustrous that it can even appear wet. However, it’s best suited for pieces that won’t get heavy use. Like many other natural fabrics, silk is susceptible to fading if exposed to sunlight.
13 Tips to Stay Sun Smart With Soft Furnishings
Silk velvet is soft and smooth to the touch and is so lustrous that it can even appear wet. However, it’s best suited for pieces that won’t get heavy use. Like many other natural fabrics, silk is susceptible to fading if exposed to sunlight.
13 Tips to Stay Sun Smart With Soft Furnishings
Linen velvet
Linen velvet has a matte ‘dry’ look, and it takes dye exceptionally well, resulting in a deep, rich colour. Linen velvets often have a stripe (subtle, irregular striping) because linen yarns come in different thicknesses. Its pile is usually shorter than that of other velvets and it’s prone to bruising or crushing (which is great if you like the resulting vintage look). Linen velvet is popular in warmer climates since it’s more breathable and cooler to the touch than other varieties.
Linen velvet has a matte ‘dry’ look, and it takes dye exceptionally well, resulting in a deep, rich colour. Linen velvets often have a stripe (subtle, irregular striping) because linen yarns come in different thicknesses. Its pile is usually shorter than that of other velvets and it’s prone to bruising or crushing (which is great if you like the resulting vintage look). Linen velvet is popular in warmer climates since it’s more breathable and cooler to the touch than other varieties.
Cotton velvet
Cotton velvet crushes easily, which is why it’s often blended with another fibre, such as polyester, to improve its resilience. It has a matte finish, but it can be blended with viscose to add lustre (and strength).
Cotton velvet crushes easily, which is why it’s often blended with another fibre, such as polyester, to improve its resilience. It has a matte finish, but it can be blended with viscose to add lustre (and strength).
Wool and mohair
Velvet can also be made from wool and mohair (which comes from Angora goats). Both are durable, mohair more so, and they are the gold standard for a resilient velvet. Mohair velvet is very thick and has less sheen than silk or cellulose fibres.
Velvet can also be made from wool and mohair (which comes from Angora goats). Both are durable, mohair more so, and they are the gold standard for a resilient velvet. Mohair velvet is very thick and has less sheen than silk or cellulose fibres.
Synthetic velvet
Synthetic velvets are made from high-quality polyester and they’re less prone to marking or crushing. They also resist fading, but just know that they don’t have the same feel or depth of colour that can be achieved with a natural fabric. Blending synthetic and natural fibres can offer the best of both worlds.
Synthetic velvets are made from high-quality polyester and they’re less prone to marking or crushing. They also resist fading, but just know that they don’t have the same feel or depth of colour that can be achieved with a natural fabric. Blending synthetic and natural fibres can offer the best of both worlds.
Cut velvet
Cut velvet has had a pattern cut into the fabric. The pattern can be any design, from traditional florals to more modern geometrics.
Cut velvet has had a pattern cut into the fabric. The pattern can be any design, from traditional florals to more modern geometrics.
Which type is right for you
Velvet can require slightly more attention than other fabrics, but that may be worth it for the durability you get in return. Just make sure you select a fabric that will hold up to its expected use. If you anticipate more than just light usage, you might not want velvet made from silk or 100 per cent cotton. For upholstery that will see a lot of use, consider mohair or a polyester blend with a tight weave.
Velvet can require slightly more attention than other fabrics, but that may be worth it for the durability you get in return. Just make sure you select a fabric that will hold up to its expected use. If you anticipate more than just light usage, you might not want velvet made from silk or 100 per cent cotton. For upholstery that will see a lot of use, consider mohair or a polyester blend with a tight weave.
Pets
Pet owners often voice concern that velvet will act as a magnet for hair. That can happen, but the hair can be removed with a soft clothing or velvet brush. If you want velvet but pet hair is a major concern, consider a colour that matches your dog or cat.
One benefit: Cats find it a lot more difficult to get their claws into velvet than into a fabric with an obvious weave, such as linen.
Pet owners often voice concern that velvet will act as a magnet for hair. That can happen, but the hair can be removed with a soft clothing or velvet brush. If you want velvet but pet hair is a major concern, consider a colour that matches your dog or cat.
One benefit: Cats find it a lot more difficult to get their claws into velvet than into a fabric with an obvious weave, such as linen.
Maintenance
To limit the characteristic crushing and keep your velvet looking new, you can do a few things:
Master matching curtains, sofas and cushions
To limit the characteristic crushing and keep your velvet looking new, you can do a few things:
- Rotate cushions to prevent pressure marks from forming where they rest on each other.
- Plump cushions to keep wrinkles from marking the velvet.
- Brush furniture weekly with a clothing or velvet brush.
- Don’t let anything sit for a long time on the velvet, such as a book or remote control.
Master matching curtains, sofas and cushions
Velvet plays well with others
Adding velvet to a room is a great way to bring in another texture. It’s a great complement to fabrics with a noticeable weave, like linen. With such a wide range of colours, it’s easy to find a hue that will coordinate with everything else in your space.
TELL US
What other sofa fabric would you like to know more about? Share in the Comments below.
MORE
How to Style a Colourful Couch
Shop for sofas and sectionals
Adding velvet to a room is a great way to bring in another texture. It’s a great complement to fabrics with a noticeable weave, like linen. With such a wide range of colours, it’s easy to find a hue that will coordinate with everything else in your space.
TELL US
What other sofa fabric would you like to know more about? Share in the Comments below.
MORE
How to Style a Colourful Couch
Shop for sofas and sectionals
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Thank you pmr56 Your experience is confidence inspiring as I am considering velvet.
My folks had a velvet sofa, love seat and chair. They really liked it. Mother had them reupholstered about every 2-4 years. I remember the seats would wear out or the fabric on the chair would fade from too much light. It was near one of the windows facing east. The arms of both the sofa and chair would get really crummy with people's hands. Then she would put some other lacy like material draped over the arms and the back to protect them. Mother would get them professionally cleaned at least twice a year. The sofa was always my favorite because it was soft and cool in the summer and warm in the winter and a neat place to take a quick nap. I do remember, we would have to take off our shoes before lying down on the sofa. Our cousin's house also had velvet couch and chair, but they kept theirs covered in plastic.