The New Way to Decorate With Velvet
Loved for its softness and decadence, this luxe fabric can be made modern with a thoughtful approach
Samantha van Egmond
7 October 2016
Houzz Australia Contributor. Former staffer at Home Beautiful and Country Style. Travel, healthy cooking and indoor plant enthusiast.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Former staffer at Home Beautiful and Country Style.... More
Forget the heavy drapes and chaise; used sparingly, this sumptuous fabric can bring warmth and elegance to any space. These inspiring rooms will show you just how easy velvet is to use in your home. The trick is learning how to achieve a lot with a little.
Texture play
As an opulent material with a luxurious sheen, velvet is the perfect complement to natural, pared-back fibres like this linen bedspread. Try mixing yours with leather, cotton and silk in earthy hues of white, grey and toffee for layers of delicious texture.
Find out about more texturific techniques
As an opulent material with a luxurious sheen, velvet is the perfect complement to natural, pared-back fibres like this linen bedspread. Try mixing yours with leather, cotton and silk in earthy hues of white, grey and toffee for layers of delicious texture.
Find out about more texturific techniques
In a gender-neutral bedroom, a velvet cushion in a sophisticated shade adds texture and a punch of interest without veering too far away from the theme.
Sisal and timber are ideal pairings for a plush velvet piece. This mid-century chair makes a subtle statement when placed with nature-inspired decor, its wooden legs tying it in to the surrounding furniture.
In the navy
Dark and brooding, there’s something very regal about velvet in navy. It’s also one of the safest shades to use in the high-traffic zones of your home, such as the living and dining rooms, where spills are always imminent.
Dark and brooding, there’s something very regal about velvet in navy. It’s also one of the safest shades to use in the high-traffic zones of your home, such as the living and dining rooms, where spills are always imminent.
Where better to cosy up to this feel-good fabric than in the bedroom? A little goes a long way, so adding a couple of oversized cushions to your bed will be just enough velvet to soften the look.
Browse more bedroom photos
Browse more bedroom photos
Berrylicious
Be brave with a bright, berry-coloured sofa. Velvet lounges can risk looking stuffy and dated, but this vibrant hue adds a modern edge and makes the piece a standout in any room.
Be brave with a bright, berry-coloured sofa. Velvet lounges can risk looking stuffy and dated, but this vibrant hue adds a modern edge and makes the piece a standout in any room.
A pop of pink injects some fun into a traditional and neutral-hued room. Tie in the colour throughout with matching cushions and contemporary artwork featuring similar shades.
Who would’ve thought a fuchsia-coloured chesterfield could be so liveable? Paired with timber beams and exposed brick, it’s a whimsical addition to a rustic interior.
Tip: For spills, do not dab or rub the fabric as this will force the spill further into the fibres. Use some absorbent towel or cloth and very gently press to absorb excess liquid, letting the remaining spill air dry.
Cushion crush
Soft and decadent, there’s no better fabric to cover large and luscious cushions you can sink into at the end of a long day. Velvet does tend to attract hair though, so make sure your bed is a pet-free zone.
Soft and decadent, there’s no better fabric to cover large and luscious cushions you can sink into at the end of a long day. Velvet does tend to attract hair though, so make sure your bed is a pet-free zone.
TIP: To remove hair and fur from your velvet, use an upholstery attachment on your vacuum, which will clean away the fuzz as well as any accumulated dirt and dust without damaging its smooth surface.
Neutral territory
Still hesitant about bringing velvet into your home? There’s no safer way to add a touch of this luxe texture than by choosing pared-back pieces in neutral shades, spanning from grey to cream.
Neutral rooms that kick boring to the kerb
Still hesitant about bringing velvet into your home? There’s no safer way to add a touch of this luxe texture than by choosing pared-back pieces in neutral shades, spanning from grey to cream.
Neutral rooms that kick boring to the kerb
Subtle and sophisticated, this dark charcoal armchair and matching footstool take centre stage in an otherwise light and airy living space. For rooms that heavily feature marble and granite, the addition of this fuzzy, touch-me fabric will bring warmth and softness.
YOUR SAY
Have you welcomed velvet back into the fold? Share your decorating wins in the Comments.
MORE
See more beautiful living spaces
YOUR SAY
Have you welcomed velvet back into the fold? Share your decorating wins in the Comments.
MORE
See more beautiful living spaces
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Steve
I've fallen in love with the Croisette velvet chair by Honore Deco from France... Now to find the $$ to buy a couple!
Same Aileen. I've been looking for heavy navy velvet for added winter warmth in my bedroom. I wouldn't have it as an accent anywhere else in the room and dislike the shiny, stiff 'velvet' usually used for upholstery.
A few years ago my daughter found some stunning heavy 'winter white' jumbo corduroy curtains for her very tall French windows for winter which looked incredible. She found them in Ikea of all places I could hardly believe it. I fell in love with them but they were all gone of course. A heavy corduroy would work in my bedroom too.