Aaah, velvet. If there has ever been a romantic and luxurious material, then this is it. The tactile and cosy feel, the sumptuous and classy look, all in one package. Using velvet in your home décor will bring some of the glamour of the theatre, besides adding warmth, depth and texture to the interior space.

Something as small as velvet cushions can make even the most basic sofa a stunning showpiece. If you think incorporating this material can be a little daunting, too flashy or difficult to maintain, you are in the right place. We’ll go over a few ways on how to add this fine textile to your contemporary décor and put an end to some misconceptions.

The Versatility of Velvet

The wonderful thing about the timeless velvet cushion covers is that they come in such a versatile range that you can find any style you can imagine. Strong, bold colours that will pop against the neutral-toned background, or some softer hues to tone down and break up intricate statement designs. Sometimes a simple velvet addition is just what you need to make your sofa look tasteful rather than overwhelming.

You can also find them in more modern variations like the ones with stripes or animal prints, or opt for something more traditional like those with tassels. The goal is to integrate them into the colour scheme you have, maybe choose two or three hues that match a vase, a painting, or the drapes.

You might find out that there are more types of this material that can produce different effects such as the block printed velvet, chiffon or transparent, ciselѐ velvet, crushed velvet cushions, cut or uncut, double faced, mirror or pile-on-pile velvet and more.

Mixing and Matching

Except for the wide array of colours, you can also choose different sizes and patterns. When all the cushions are the same size and colour, things get boring. Avoid this mistake by mixing up various sizes and shapes. And they don’t have to be in matching colour as well.

You can have two pillows with the same pattern and then add ones with solid colours to complete the look. If you like flower patterns, get a couple of them, but make sure you also have single-coloured ones to tame down the colourful print. Different tones can work as long as they share some features.

Play with the Placement

Mix things up a bit in the placement too. Step out of the traditional set of cushions placed at each end of the sofa, and play with them, arrange them in a new way to achieve a more modern, eclectic look.

You can put velvet cover cushions on top of a big antique armchair to enhance its appearance, on the bed to accent an inviting feeling, or just scatter them in front of the fireplace to create a cosy, romantic spot. The options are limitless.

Mingle it with More Materials

Velvet works well with most materials. Thanks to the subtle natural sheen and opulence, you can easily spruce up a linen sofa with a touch of velvet for a contrasting effect. You can find many velvet linen cushion covers that look stunning.

Make a killer combination with silk, or add this tactile fabric to the unfussy cotton sheets on the bed. Create texture and softness in combination with sophisticated fur, or give richness to a chunky knit bed cover.

Care for Cushion Covers

Velvet is irresistibly touchy, and we love it because of its feel as much as its look. A lot of hands will be stroking those velvet cushion covers but the good news is it’s quite a durable fabric made from layers with dense piles where the threads are closely woven together. This makes it compact, and strong, difficult to stretch, so it’s no wonder it’s one of the top fabrics for upholstery. As delicate as it may look, it is not at all high maintenance.
Nevertheless, with a bit of proper care, you will get more time to enjoy the cushions, so here’s what you need to remember:

• Keep them away from direct sunlight to stop them from fading.
• Dry-cleaning is preferable, but you can also wash them with cold water and mild detergent.
• Don’t put them in the dryer with high heat setting, it’s better to air-dry them to avoid damaging the fabric.
• Do not iron them as the heat might destroy the plush feel.
• Do not rub or scrub forcefully, this can damage the fibres and cause shedding.
• Avoid folding them as this can crease the material. Instead, lay them flat or wrap them up loosely.

Takeaway

The history of velvet goes back to 2000 BC and it was long considered a royal textile. Today, the material looks just as regal. Its inherent richness and lustre breathe romantic glamour into a room, turning it into a charming space. Velvet ages superbly, retaining its history and telling the stories of its journey. Make it part of your story too. Use these small furnishing details to display an on-trend look in a noncommittal way and improve your interior.