Velvet sofas are kryptonite for interior enthusiasts.
A brief swipe through the Instagram feed of Architectural Digest will demonstrate the global popularity of the velvet sofa. From Victoria Beckham to Emily Ratajkowski, society’s most stylish have all invested in a velvet sofa to transform their homes.
And it’s no surprise why. The lustrous seating will elevate any space with its plush finish and vibrant colour schemes. Typically available in shades of teal, rust, emerald and blossom pink, velvet sofas make for a luxe, timeless and elegant furniture piece with their appeal showing no signs of wavering.
Despite their contemporary feel, the covetable items have been hot property for centuries. Velvet sofas were the height of luxury in the Roaring Twenties, a sultry bohemian statement in the counterculture Seventies and a signifier of refined taste today.
Yet the plot thickens. Velvet actually dates back to early Eastern culture, with evidence suggesting that ancient Egyptians used velveteen-esque fabrics. The construction of velvet was so complex that it was reserved solely for the affluent and royalty - hence its decadent reputation.
The Renaissance saw velvet introduced to the Silk Route, with Italy being the first European country to kickstart a European velvet industry. There are plenty of beautiful Italian vintage pieces to shop secondhand, via Vinterior or 1stDibs.
Velvet retains its luxe connotations today, with many velvet sofas boasting high price points. Thankfully for those on a budget, homeware heroes such as Homebase and John Lewis stock more affordable picks to suit your home aesthetic.
Infuse your home with a sprinkling of high-octane glamour and shop the best velvet sofas below.
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Ligne Roset Togo Large Settee
The Ligne Roset Togo sofa has become an icon of midcentury modern design. Said to be inspired by a tube of toothpaste, it was designed in 1973 by Michel Ducaroy and to this day is handsewn in the French village of Briord.
The Togo is defined by its curved shape, pleats and alcantara fabric - a textile renowned for its durability. It has the often contradicting ability to be extremely comfortably with a cloud-like five layers of foam, while also acting a centrepiece statement oozing with 70s flair.
The sofa comes in a rainbow array of colours that harks back to the ‘Me’ decade as well as pared-back hues that give it a modern twist. The piece is defined by its legless style and its ability to be paired with others in the collection where each becomes a modular piece - there’s even a footstool.
Buy now £3598.00, Heal’s
Barker and Stonehouse Lavinia Velvet Large 3 Seater Sofa
Dimensions: W241.6cm x D108cm x H73cm
Barker and Stonehouse’s Lavinia Velvet Large 3-Seater Sofa is what sofa dreams are made of. The large lavish design comes in an unmissable ochre-orange hue with cushioned scalloped seats to kick back on.
Crafted with a combination of birch wood and plywood, the sturdy frame is suitable for larger spaces calling for a warming retro-glam touch.
Buy now £1399.00, Barker and Stonehouse
Graham and Green Kasper Grass Green Velvet Sofa
Dimensions: W165cm x D100cm x H84cm
The colour schemes of velvet sofas are fairly similar, so when our eyes fell on Graham and Green’s unique apple green offering, we stood to attention. The eye-popping piece radiates slouchy sophistication. Sink into the brushed velvet folds of the comfort-forward find, which is finished with a beechwood frame and a foam and feather core.
Buy now £3095.00, Graham and Green
Swoon Munich Velvet 4 Seater Sofa
Dimensions: W257cm x D92cm x H81cm
We’re certainly swooning for Swoon’s Munich Velvet 4 Seater Sofa in Kingfisher blue. From teal to navy, blue colourways seem to be the most popular tonal scheme of velvet offerings. This generous four-seater is suitable for families and bigger broods. Order a free fabric swatch before heading to check out and curate your dream sofa.
Swoon’s tempting rendition features dark wooden feet and removable seats with foam and fibre filling.
Buy now £2309.00, Swoon
Jasper Sofa - Modern Chaise Sofa
Calling for you to spend lazy Sunday afternoons napping, snuggling or binge watching, the Jasper sofa has sumptuous sink-right-in appeal. The beauty of this model is its customisation. You can adapt the configuration, fabric and colours to suit your space, while retaining the sleek clean lines that makes this modern design so sought-after. The plush sofas are filled with feather-wrapped cushions with ample elbow room and depth to truly lay back in comfort.
Buy now £3718.00, Love Your Home
Heal’s Lilli Right Hand Curved Corner Sofa
Dimensions: 74 x 287 x 227cm
Make your spacious lounge feel more homely thanks to Heal’s Lilli sofa, designed especially for the furniture company by Danish design firm Says Who. Its soft curves and choice of upholstery in fabrics like brushed cotton, boucle, velvet and linen means it’s an inviting place to sit and chat when guests pop round.
What’s more, you can buy individual modules like this curved corner sofa unit (£1449) to add more twists and turns to your design.
Buy now £4446.00, Heal’s
Dusk Hampshire 2 Seater Sofa
Dimensions: W151cm x D90cm x H86cm
Dusk’s Hampshire Two Seater is stylish and sumptuous in equal measure. Available in a range of hues from this gentle sky blue to seafoam green, the small sofa is ideal for petite spaces in need of a revamp.
Warm oak wooden legs stabilise the luxurious piece, which will seat dynamic duos for cosy catch-ups and movie nights.
Buy now £433.00, Dusk
Darlings of Chelsea Harrow Petit Sofa
Dimensions: W175cm x D109cm x H88cm
Clean lines and elegant low curves defined Darlings of Chelsea’s Harrow Petit Sofa. Designed for cosy spaces, the two-seater has been handmade by expert craftspeople in the UK, using a combination of traditional skills, new technology and high-quality materials. Light oak feet and stain-resistant cotton add the cherry on top of a failsafe choice.
Buy now £2361.00, Darlings of Chelsea
John Lewis + Swoon Radley Medium 2 Seater Sofa
Dimensions: W177 x D86cm x H64
Designed by sofa kingpin Swoon but made by John Lewis, the Radley sofa for two oozes palatial grandeur. Available in ten tempting tones, the smaller-sized seater features unique pleated button tufting along the back and a curved back to mirror a regal feel. Order and expect delivery within seven days - plus sofa assembly is free.
Buy now £1499.00, John Lewis
Habitat Hudson Reversible Corner Velvet Sofa - Blue
Dimensions: W221 x D95cm x H92
If you don’t want to commit to a corner, Habitat’s option allows you to change it from left to right as the mood takes you. Essentially this is a sofa with a footstool that comes up to the same level and is big enough to accommodate another sitter or just to prop up your legs in front of the telly.
The design comes with a smart, buttoned seat and striking bolster cushions, with everything proudly made in the UK.
Buy now £1163.00, Simply Thank you
Jonathan Adler Ether Cloud Settee
You’ll be on cloud nine, lounging on this striking sofa. Few do playful interiors better than Jonathan Adler. The brand is a masterclass on how to put the fun into furniture, while balancing on the fine line of kitsch and stylish. It’s a low sofa design that is heaven-like both in its cloud silhouette and in the plush enveloping construction. The icing on the cake of this luxe piece is the brass stiletto legs.
Buy now £4150.00, Jonathan Adler
Darlings of Chelsea Shoreditch 2.5 Seater Sofa
Dimensions: W190cm x D102cm x H90cm
Opt for a square-look sofa with Darlings of Chelsea’s Shoreditch 2.5 Seater Sofa. Suitable for two plus a bit more, the pale mint piece showcases a mid-century design for airy city properties. Foam and fibre seats are highly cushioning, while the stain-resistant fabric, which is available to shop in over 170 material options, will combat accidental spillages or grubby paw prints.
Buy now £1795.00, Darlings of Chelsea
Loaf Banoffee Sofa
Dimensions: W227cm x D111cm x H88cm
Showcasing one of our favourite colourways which also happens to be favoured by model Emily Ratajkowski, this cucumber green sofa is luxury personified. No assembly is required upon delivery, plus it comes with a handy 10-year guarantee. Create a moment of calm and sink into the super-soft duck feather cushions on leisurely weekends and cosy evenings at home.
Buy now £2685.00, Loaf
Edra Large Round Red Velvet Tower Sofa
Designed by Mario Cananzi and Roberto Semprini for Edra in the 1980s, this curling design is upholstered in a striking cherry red velvet - its original upholstery. The rare piece takes inspiration from the Tatlin Tower, a symbol of constructivism created by Vladimir Tatlin during the early 20th century.
Buy now £6592.16, 1stDibs
MADE Trudy 2 Seater Sofa
Dimensions: W177cm x D81cm x H71cm
Designed for perching rather than lounging, MADE’s Trudy sofa is a conversation starter. Available in shades of navy blue and bottle green, the curved piece is a modern pick for contemporary pads. Glamorous brass legs have to be fitted upon delivery, yet the metallic hues perfectly complement the romantically dark colourway of the sofa.
Buy now £650.00, MADE
