Soho Home’s Ashford Ottoman, £750, in rust velvet
(Picture: Soho Home)Velvet looks good all year round but it really comes into its own in the colder months (so, most of the year if you’re in the UK...).
In a room that feels flat, cold, or generally lacklustre, the strokable texture of velvet will add the tactility and interest you need to make the space look cosy.
This is especially true when you go bold with a rich colour palette – deep reds, greens, caramels and blue all work incredibly well.
Plush cotton velvet is the most luxurious choice and when used for upholstery, it can make an inexpensive piece of furniture look satisfyingly high-end.
Just be mindful that cotton velvet can’t be washed or wiped clean, plus the pile will accrue pressure marks over time, so the deeper the pile, the more likely it is to develop a characterful look.
If you have children or you’re especially prone to spillages, a synthetic clever velvet might be the best option for you since it’s often water-resistant and is much less likely to mark.
Velvet is especially effective when used in a bedroom – a dash of velvet is a fast pass to a boutique hotel vibe. Go the whole hog and replace a dull bed frame with the plush and curvaceous Sugar Puff style from Loaf — the headboard has curves in all the right places. A piece like this is especially good in a rental, where you might not be able to decorate or add colour to the walls. A double costs £1,195.
If a new bed isn’t on the agenda, you can still make your bedroom look luxe by adding a velvet quilt in a jewel colour. This terracotta bedspread, £199, from Heals would look excellent layered over linen bedsheets for texture-on-texture.
Cushions are the most accessible way to play around with velvet homeware since they can be moved around from room to room and they’re an affordable way to buy into the trend.
A patchwork diamond style (£170) by Christina Lundsteen will really upgrade a plain armchair or sofa, as will interior designer Beata Heuman’s new dappled velvet cushion (£120) – chosen for its pitch-perfect colour palette and fresh take on marbled homeware.
Gubi’s already-iconic Beetle chair (£916) is made for dining but it also works perfectly as an occasional desk chair – especially when you need to work in a bedroom or living space – as the rounded shape and soft sage green velvet sits comfortably in a room without making it look as sore thumb-ish as a swivel chair on wheels.
In a living space, a velvet ottoman such as the Audrey from Soho Home, £1,195, is a really smart way to add texture and looks chic with a few choice coffee table books on the top. A large tray will also be your friend here to avoid spillage marks on the fabric.
Otherwise, try adding an occasional armchair as it’s likely to be used less than a sofa and will look good for longer. The ‘40s-inspired Doris chair from Jonathan Adler stands out with its decorative fabric trim and white legs. Plus, nothing accentuates the sumptuousness of velvet quite like a buttoned back. Currently in the sale it’s £947.99, down from £1,895.
