Green Velvet Shines in These Enviable Rooms
See how to embrace the trend for the touchable fabric in colors like forest, emerald and moss
Deep greens have been a desirable part of many a home decorator’s palette recently. However, our latest passion is not only for the beguiling shades themselves, but also for their pairing with velvet. And what could be more appealing than a fabric in rich jewel tones that catches the light bewitchingly and demands to be stroked? If you can’t resist the combo, check out the following ideas for using it.
Go for a second jewel tone. In this living room, a purple velvet sofa joins the green velvet chair. Using the same kind of fabric twice helps the room feel coordinated without reducing the power of the punchier shade.
Follow this room’s example by introducing a houseplant to complement the green velvet upholstery, or try a piece of furniture in emerald green in a room that opens to the garden for an indoor-outdoor connection.
Follow this room’s example by introducing a houseplant to complement the green velvet upholstery, or try a piece of furniture in emerald green in a room that opens to the garden for an indoor-outdoor connection.
Dabble with Art Deco. To get the latest look using green, your chosen shade needs to cover a substantial piece of furniture, as shown here, and not just the accessories. In this bedroom, the color is introduced via a velvet bench that’s a luxurious addition at the foot of the bed.
This room also references the Art Deco look that’s re-emerging, with a mirrored finish on the legs of the bench and the drawer fronts of the chests.
This room also references the Art Deco look that’s re-emerging, with a mirrored finish on the legs of the bench and the drawer fronts of the chests.
Snuggle down. Comfort and calm rule in this room, where the bed is upholstered in a mossy green. Velvet’s a wonderfully soft finish that makes a bed extra inviting, of course, and this tone veers to the more restful end of the on-trend green spectrum.
Behind the bed, wallpaper in a shade taken from a nearby point on the color wheel contributes to the relaxing feel. These analogous shades are serene rather than stimulating.
Behind the bed, wallpaper in a shade taken from a nearby point on the color wheel contributes to the relaxing feel. These analogous shades are serene rather than stimulating.
Rather than changing the whole bed to green velvet, you can simply replace the headboard to get the look.
Find headboards in green fabric
Find headboards in green fabric
Dine finely. Dining chairs upholstered in green velvet aren’t an obvious choice, and selecting them spells out clearly that a design’s all about luxury. The marble tabletop they’re placed around here sends the same message.
Tip: Save this indulgence for adults-only dining rooms and frequently vacuum the chairs with an upholstery attachment to keep them looking their best.
Tip: Save this indulgence for adults-only dining rooms and frequently vacuum the chairs with an upholstery attachment to keep them looking their best.
Warm up. Curtains that fall to the floor always look more luxurious than sill-length designs and, in green velvet, make the room appear cozier too. Velvet’s a good insulator, so it also has practical value as a curtain fabric, especially if your windows aren’t as draft-proof as they could be.
Read more stories about window treatments
Read more stories about window treatments
Invest in timeless furniture. Green velvet’s right at home on this classic French chair that’s next to a period-style chest, but if you slip the same seat into a contemporary room, it’ll work as a statement chair instead.
If you’re revamping a secondhand armchair, a green velvet like this, which looks as if it might have softened in tone with age, will suit it to a T.
If you’re revamping a secondhand armchair, a green velvet like this, which looks as if it might have softened in tone with age, will suit it to a T.
Be (peacock) proud. In this living space, green velvet was used to reupholster classic 20th-century armchairs. Teaming them with a corner sofa in blue makes for a design that echoes a peacock’s beautiful plumage (not to mention proving decorators can disregard the adage that “blue and green shouldn’t be seen”).
Harmonize. The fabric and color make a feature of this armchair too, giving period surroundings a funky twist. Note how the room’s other shades are once again from the same area of the color wheel, so the effect is compatible, even though the colors are punchy.
Your turn: How have you used green velvet in your home? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments.
More
Fabric Focus: Decorating With Touchy-Feely Velvet
Textile Textbook: The Velvet Revolution
Why You Should Rethink (and Love) the Velvet Sofa
Your turn: How have you used green velvet in your home? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments.
More
Fabric Focus: Decorating With Touchy-Feely Velvet
Textile Textbook: The Velvet Revolution
Why You Should Rethink (and Love) the Velvet Sofa
Don’t be concerned if the pile on your new velvet sofa looks crushed — a clothes or velvet brush should sweep it into shape.
Browse green velvet sofas and sectionals