They don’t call it a “velvet touch” for nothing. Addictively tactual with a glow-y sheen that other textiles can’t hold a candle to, velvet has come a long way since its days as a window dressing and sartorial stand-by. Today, a plethora of performance velvets are changing the game, making the previously fussy velvet a top choice for furniture. Its new reincarnations have all of the attributes that have long made velvet a luxury but are cost-effective and cleanable to boot.
That said, the sheer abundance of velvet furniture options — silk velvet, cotton velvet, and polyester velvet, to name just a few — can make it difficult to decide which one is right for you. To help, we’re breaking down all of the available velvet options and giving you the details on which one is best vetted for your needs!
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Mohair Velvet
You’ll often see this velvet simply marketed as “mohair,” leading many to believe it’s not actual velvet. In contrast to more standard velvets, which are man-made, mohair is made from the hair of the Angora goat. It’s touted for being extremely durable and beloved for its gossamer-like sheen. In a testament to its excellence, consider this: mohair is one of the few non-leather fabrics that Herman Miller has elected to suit up its ionic Eames Lounger in.
Cotton Velvet
If you live in a warmer climate, you might want to consider cotton velvet. It’s crafted from 100% cotton, making it more breathable than some of its denser counterparts like mohair. One thing to note? Cotton velvet is more vulnerable to fading than performance velvets made of synthetics like polyester. It’s also not as resistant to staining and holds onto pet hair and dust more than synthetics. Its main advantage? Its texture and sheen. It has a higher pile than synthetic velvets, which results in it looking a bit richer.
Silk velvet
If the epitome of luxury is what you’re after, there’s no better choice than silk velvet. As its name suggests, silk velvet is crafted of silk, which results in a radiant, under-lit appearance. Like all silk products, silk velvet isn’t going to stand up like cotton or polyester-based fabrics. It’s delicate and intended for pieces that are mainly for show, not everyday use. In fact, today, it’d be difficult to pin down a piece of newly-made silk velvet furniture that’s not custom-made.
Polyester velvet
Perhaps the most cost-effective of all of the velvets on this list, polyester velvet is a favorite of furniture makers who specialize in accessibly-priced furniture. Polyester velvet won’t last for generations the way, say, mohair or cotton velvet might, but versus cotton velvet, it is easy to clean, which means that you won’t have to live with spots or discoloration. Additionally, it’s not as prone to fading as cotton velvet. So if you’re shopping for a furniture piece to fill a sun-soaked nook, synthetic velvet might be your best bet.
Rayon velvet
Although not excessively common in furniture design, rayon velvet is similar to polyester velvet in that it’s a synthetic that is engineered to be durable and easy to clean. It is prone to wrinkling and crushing, however, which is why it’s not commonly used as furniture uphosltery.
Crushed velvet
If you’ve ever marveled over the marbled, distressed look of a particular velvet furniture piece, you were likely viewing a crushed velvet design. Crushed velvet is created by pressing a velvet’s fibers in different directions to achieve a crushed, textured look. Its texture gives crushed velvet an almost patterned appearance, which is why you won’t often see large pieces like sofas or beds upholstered in it. However, it is a popular choice for some side chairs, ottomans, and accent pillows.
What types of Velvet Furniture pieces are available?
Given its durability and the fact that it’s easy to care for, velvet is a popular pick for families with kids and pets. So what kinds of velvet furniture options are available? Here, we spotlight some of the most common velvet furniture pieces and provide tips on what types of velvets you might consider for them.
Velvet accent chairs
Few fabrics display color as richly as velvet. Which is why If your room is calling for colorful accent chair, a velvet chair might be the perfect fit. For a heavy investment chair, consider mohair or cotton velvet. For a chair that might be tying you over until you’re ready to splurge on a more permanent seat, there’s nothing wrong with a polyester velvet version. It may not last for decades, but paired with an eye-catching silhouette, it won’t be readily apparent for quite some time.
Velvet sofas
If there was ever a time to splurge on a more pricey velvet, a sofa is it. When you consider the daily use most sofas get, there’s a case to be made for velvet with a high threshold for wear and tear. Mohair will of course offer the most longevity, but a cotton velvet will hold its own here well, too. Like any sofa fabric, opting for a darker color will allow for a margin of error when it comes to spots, spills and smudges.
Velvet ottomans
Since ottomans don’t generally receive much use, you’re often safe going with a lower-cost velvet. That said, since ottomans are small-scale furniture pieces, they can also present the opportunity to splurge on richer, more luxurious velvet like mohair. You make the call.
Lead photo design by studio CAK / Photo byAimee Mazzenga
