Layer up the luxe with velvet

If you've fully embraced maximalist decorating and are happy piling layer upon layer, pattern upon pattern, you will already know what a gem velvet can be. Lush, plush and totally tactile, it adds a new dimension that shouts luxury but not in a stand-offish way. This is a finish that invites you to be comfortable.

‘Velvet is a timeless fabric that never goes out of fashion,’ says Camilla Rowe, Partner & Head of Buying, Textiles and Home Accessories. ‘It takes colours beautifully and if a room doesn’t feel as cosy as you’d hoped, it’s an easy way to add warmth.’

The thick, heavy velvet of old might have been considered wintry but now it’s an incredibly popular choice for furnishings all year round. ‘It’s so versatile – velvet can add glamour or be used in an everyday restrained way,’ adds Camilla. 

There are many different types of velvet, made from a whole variety of materials. Siobhan Currie, Partner & Senior Designer of Home Textiles, says, ‘We’ve seen the trend for velvet grow in popularity over the past few seasons and it looks beautiful in anything from bold colours to soft tones. We also love to experiment with modern patterned versions – in printed, embroidered or cut designs.’

Historically velvet was expensive and time-consuming to manufacture, meaning it was always seen as luxurious. But industrial looms have made the process easier and velvet is more accessible and practical than ever. Modern velvets tend to be more hardwearing, especially synthetic or ‘clever’ velvets, which are wipeable to make dealing with spills much easier. They’re ideal for family rooms and furniture that will be used more heavily. 

‘Aquaclean velvets are a great practical choice for peace of mind,’ says Jason Block, Partner & Upholstery Technologist. ‘These have a higher polyester component, so they’re not as natural-looking as a cotton velvet, but they still have that tactile look and feel. If there’s an accident, you can just clean it up with water.’

‘Velvet is the interiors trend that keeps on giving,’ says blogger Nicola Broughton. ‘Key pieces of furniture are naturally a big spend and in the past, we were less keen to choose velvet,’ she explains. ‘However, as it’s very durable these days, you can splash out on a sofa or accent chair, safe in the knowledge that it should wear well.’

Not ready to invest in a velvet sofa just yet? An easy way to introduce an accent is to add a few cushions to a bed or chair. This can work in all colour palettes, from soft shades of dusky pink to vibrant jewel shades and earthy burnt oranges. It works for all styles too – even the neutral blonde woods and rustic finishes of Scandi style will benefit from that softer contrast. 

‘We love velvet bedspreads to create a luxurious look to the bed’ Siobhan says. ‘Combining velvet with other textiles works really well, such as a velvet bedspread on a plain linen duvet cover in a contrasting colour. For a confident and eclectic look, velvet is also great layered against a bold pattern.’

Ready to go one step further? Velvet is the go-to for timeless accent pieces such as an upholstered headboard or accent chair, while a velvet footstool makes an affordable and flexibly foray that can have great impact in almost every room. 

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