Velvet is plush, glamorous, and has a way of stealing the spotlight. Whether you’re upholstering a statement sofa or sighing over a sumptuous pillow, velvet brings depth, softness, and a little theatrical flair to a room. Here’s a friendly, practical guide to what velvet is like to live with and how to keep it looking its best.

What is Velvet?

Velvet is a pile fabric with a dense surface of upright yarns (the pile) that create a soft, plush feel and a characteristic sheen. Traditionally made from silk, modern velvets come in cotton, wool, mohair, viscose, and synthetic blends. The pile’s direction — called the nap — gives velvet its color-shifting qualities and tactile richness.

What are the Types of Velvet?

  • Silk velvet — luxurious and soft; best for low-use decorative applications.
  • Cotton velvet — sturdy and weighty; common for upholstery and heavier drapery.
  • Viscose and rayon velvet — high sheen and drape; very plush but can be delicate.
  • Mohair and wool velvet — textured and warm; good for upscale, durable upholstery.
  • Performance synthetic velvets (polyester, nylon, blends) — durable and stain-resistant; ideal for everyday furniture and high-traffic areas.
  • Crushed, embossed, and panne velvets — finished to change pile direction for texture and sparkle; decorative, not always as durable for heavy wear.

Is Velvet Fabric For Upholstery?

Velvet meant for upholstery isn’t flimsy costume drama — it’s the heavyweight champion of home textiles. Upholstery velvets have a dense base and a substantial pile that give the fabric noticeable weight and structure.

Velvet fabric's weight and structure:

  • Helps cushions hold their shape and curtains hang like they mean business.
  • Makes the fabric easier to seat and stay in place but trickier to cut and sew, so use heavier needles and stronger thread.
  • Feels luxurious under your hand and looks like it costs more than it did.

Learn more about the Importance of Fabric Weights.

What are Some Unique Characteristics of Velvet Fabric?

Velvet has a directional surface called a nap — tiny pile fibers that all “point” one way. The nap is velvet’s mood ring: depending on viewing angle and light, the same swath of fabric can look dramatically lighter, darker, or shimmery. To give you a better sense of this, look at these photos which show the exact same velvets but with the nap running in different directions:


Practical realities of using velvet fabric for projects:

  • When upholstering, lay pieces so the nap runs the same way; mismatched directions create obvious color and sheen shifts.
  • View samples in the room’s actual lighting to see how sunlight or lamps play across the pile.
  • Some velvet styles intentionally manipulate the nap to create crushed or textured looks that sparkle and change as you move.

Is Velvet Fabric Durable?

Not all velvets are created equal. Durability hinges on fiber content, weave, and finishing treatments.

Here's a quick guide to velvet performance:

  • Natural velvets like silk look heavenly but are delicate and better for low-use, decorative pieces.
  • Cotton velvets are sturdy and weighty but can show shading in high-traffic spots.
  • Synthetic and blended velvets often offer the best everyday performance — they resist abrasion, retain color, and accept stain treatments well.
  • Short, tightly packed piles tend to resist matting better than long, loose piles.

What are Some Practical Buying and Maintenance Tips for Velvet Lovers?

1. Choose the fiber and finish to match expected use: decorative pieces can be more delicate; family-room seating benefits from performance blends.
2. Order extra fabric: this is helpful for pattern matching and to account for nap direction.
3. Maintain with care: use a vacuum upholstery attachment and a soft brush to keep the pile upright.
4. Blot spills immediately: do not rub. For big or stubborn stains, call a pro and mention the fabric’s pile and fiber so they use velvet-safe methods.
5. Test any cleaner: try the cleaner on an out of sight area of the fabric before using it on a visible area.
6. Never iron or steam the face of the fabric: if you must remove wrinkles or revive fibers, work from the back with low heat and a pressing cloth, or lightly steam from a safe distance while supporting the pile.

Velvet is a diva with a soft heart — demanding in its care, but utterly rewarding in presence. Choose the right velvet for your lifestyle and snag a bargain in our Velvet Sale while it lasts.