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You may have heard that velvet sofas are back in style and becoming more popular in interior design. This trend is here to stay. Let’s first examine the fabric, its many types, and particularly velvet couch pros and cons.
The most recognizable fabric, velvet, has been popular for many years. However, the velvet fabric, often referred to as “velvety” or “velveteen,” is what you should concentrate on when selecting a velvet sofa. It is a multi-layered fabric with a deep pile that feels incredibly smooth and soft.
The first time this fabric was used in East Asia was in the fourteenth century, and it later traveled to Europe via the Silk Road. Silk is used to make velvet. Asian silk was formerly the most popular fabric because of how soft it was, but as time went on and the fabric business grew, velvet technology advanced. With the birth of new techniques, velvet became more delicate and smoother day by day, producing the most opulent silk fabric. Today, velvet is the most popular fabric in Europe, the Middle East, and other parts of the world. It is also regarded as the fabric of royalty because of its uncommon manufacture, making it expensive and out of the average person’s reach. It served as a symbol and a statement for royalty and the wealthy. Elizabeth II, during her reign, still favored velvet robes for ceremonial occasions.
Velvet in modern times
Velvet has never lost its attraction or charm in the modern world. Due to the development of the machine loom, velvet became more affordable. The various types of velvet on the market are used for multiple purposes based on their advantages and disadvantages.
As its popularity increased, it expanded beyond the visible realm, attracting the attention of the interior design and upholstery industries, particularly the velvet couch market, which is growing quickly.
Types of Velvet:
Different velvet types are produced using cellulose (Rayon or Modal/Viscous), natural fibers, and synthetic materials.
The various velvet types used as sofa fabrics are listed below.
Silk Velvet
One of the priciest and most opulent fabrics ever produced, silk velvet is known for its shiny shine and wet appearance. Silk velvet has many shades of the same basic color when positioned or stitched at different angles. It is not used daily because of many staining possibilities and difficulty removing it. It is instead placed in a highly delicate area of the home.n
Linen Velvet
This velvet has a dry, understated, and classic appearance. Due to the thickness of the linen, which gives off a dry impression and ultimately leads to a richness of color, it would be your pick if you prefer deep and rich colors. Because it is quite breathable and produces coolness, it is mostly recommended for usage in warmer areas. Compared to other types of velvet, this one has a smoother pile.
Mohair Velvet
It is one of the velvet fabric types that is the most resilient. The hair of Angora goats is used to make mohair velvet. Since it is the thickest and most durable velvet available but does not have the same shiny appearance as other types of velvet, it is typically utilized in high-traffic areas. Additionally, it resists dirt and crushing.
Nylon or Rayon Velvet
The raw material for nylon is made from wood pulp, which is then processed via various steps to create cellulose and recycled fibers. It is a thin fabric with silk-like suppleness. It would be the best option to buy something on a tight budget. Additionally, it has a rich sheen and is easy to maintain.
Crushed Velvet
The fabric is compressed and crushed to create crushed velvet. In alliance with what the name implies, it has a crushed appearance. As a result, its surface is rather uneven and wrinkly. Nevertheless, you can give the area a highly imaginative and artistic flair. Typically, the fabric is medium to lightweight and comes in light and dark chunks of shades.
Synthetic Velvet
Synthetic velvet is the most recent of the velvets. This fabric is quite sustainable and durable, and with the limited formation of threads due to the formation of high-quality polyesters, it is hard to fade, unlike other types of velvet. Moreover, the percentage of synthetic gives different looks like hardness, softness, and richness in color so that you can choose accordingly.
Velvet Couch Pros and Cons
Although velvet is quite popular for upholstery, there are several benefits and drawbacks to velvet sofas.
Pros of Velvet Sofa
Durability
Most people think velvet sofas are delicate and sensitive by nature. But that is not the case; despite its ostentatious and shiny appearance, this sofa is a very sturdy and popular one today.
Since there are no loose threads, the mohair velvet fabric sofa is naturally more tenacious and difficult to rip. This fabric’s more rag-like pile makes it the greatest option if you want a sofa that will survive for a long time.
Stylish and Luxurious Look
Due to its sheen and silky, shimmery texture, velvet is the most opulent and regal material because it has always been in style and fashion. Choose a sofa with a soft polyester chenille yarn or pure silk velvet fabric if you want to give your room or space a royal feel with a touch of luxury. With this fabric, different colors can create distinctive looks for your home. For example, blue velvet sofas exude a sense of nobility, whereas green velvet sofas exude a sense of freshness. You can create a funky atmosphere by decorating your space with lighter and brighter color schemes.
Symbol of Comfort
A velvet couch always comes to mind when you think of a warm, comfy, and cozy sofa. The feather-like softness and wool-like warmth of the velvet sofa make it a haven for anyone.
If you want to make your space more comfortable, imagine a velvet sofa with soft sofa cushions and supportive arms and backrests. You will feel yourself at the gateway of comfort.
Easy to maintain and clean
You’ll be surprised to learn how simple and convenient it is to maintain a velvet sofa. Silk velvet needs constant care because it is so delicate and prone to stains, whereas other velvet types are not as difficult to clean. Vacuuming the couch can remove dust embedded in the sofa’s fibers using the appropriate vacuum upholstery attachments. Take a damp cloth and gently wipe away any spilled food or liquids. Next, mix a few drops of dishwashing liquid or stain remover with the wet cloth, and then use a linen cloth to rub the stain gently. Given proper care, a velvet sofa can last a very long time. Mohair and synthetic velvet sofas are suggested for use in busy areas, whereas synthetic and linen velvet is simple to clean and suitable for use in moderately active regions.
Vintage look
Velvet couches are more valuable as they age because they resemble leather and fine vine. When handled and maintained properly, velvet sofas look more attractive and have a vintage feel. If you enjoy a creative ambiance vibe and have artistic taste, you will adore it.
Cons of Velvet Couch
The pure silk velvet sofa is hard to maintain. Nowadays, there are many advancements in cleaning velvet fabrics. It is not hard to clean, but if pure silk velvet gets stained, it is hard to remove or change. If you are using pure silk velvet, ensure your sofa placement is away from pets and kids.
Sunlight damages the velvet sofa
Avoid placing the sofa in direct sunlight. The sun can harm a sofa’s color, and shades are susceptible to fading. Also, avoid placing some velvet outdoors, even in shaded areas, as it is more likely to attract dust.
Avoid contact with chemicals
Sprays and chemical cleaners must be avoided because they can be problematic and affect the fabric’s color, and their use can harm the structure of polyester and cause breakage.
Mostly not a pet-friendly Fabric for sofa
Pets frequently enjoy lying on couches and shedding all over them. A velvet sofa made of polyester and silk is manageable. Although hair can be brushed off crushed velvet and linen velvet, it is difficult to do so, while furry creatures can harm silk velvet.
Costly than other fabrics
Despite being more expensive than regular fabric, velvet sofas are still very popular. However, a significant setback for velvet sofas is this.
If handled properly, velvet sofas, frequently used today, can last a long time and have a vintage and royal feel.