How to Use Velvet in Your Home Interior

Velvet was once the fabric of the upper classes, no home was complete without a swathe of luxurious plush red curtains or a glamorous chaise lounge. In more recent times velvet made a fresh appearance in the 1960s and 1970s with bolder colour choices taking pride of place on corner sofas and tub chairs. This season velvet is making a comeback in a wide range of modern and classic home interiors as its cosy and peach like surface is perfect for creating texture and cosiness during the colder winter months.

Curtains

Curtains are an obvious choice when introducing velvet fabrics into your home as they can create a wide area of colour that makes a great alternative to a painted feature wall. For simplistic or minimal home interiors then choose neutral colour tones such as dove grey, taupe or beige and opt for a combination of material such as linen, cotton or satin with a simple band of velvet to the top or bottom of the curtain. For a more luxurious feel then choose a full length velvet design in rich period tones such as purple, crimson and black that looks amazing in an opulent bedroom setting. For a splash of pattern then choose a neutral coloured curtain with velvet flocked patterns such as floral designs and fleur de lys or bold psychedelic prints for a more retro look and feel.

Wallpaper

Flocked Wallpaper has become extremely popular in the last few years with both designers and high street stores creating prints that are both classic and contemporary in appearance. For an elegant and sophisticated design then choose a crisp white or beige background with stylish flocked floral patterns or baroque style designs in bold black or golden honey tones. These eye-catching designs will look fabulous on a chimney breast wall or in specific alcove areas for visual detail and pattern. For a more modern look then choose darker grey or black background with flocked areas of bold red pattern or for a vintage feel select beige backdrops with mustard, orange and purple velvet patterns for a classic 1970s feel.

Upholstery

Velvet fabrics have long been favoured in the interior design world due to their versatility of colour and their ability to create an area of warmth and cosiness without negotiating on style and appearance.  Classic occasional chairs and chaise lounge designs look beautiful and elegant enveloped in a subtle grey or silver velvet fabric or can create a bold focal point when upholstered in a rich red, black or purple fabric for a nod to renaissance interior design. Chesterfield style sofas can be covered with luxurious mustard, orange or sage green velvet that will give a more vintage style look that looks great alongside an afghan throw or rug. If you are not quite brave enough to choose velvet as the staple fabric of your seating area then select some throws in neutral or bold colour palettes and add them to your sofa, bed or seating area for a simple visual alteration that can be changed or adjusted as you wish.

Cushions

Velvet cushions are a staple feature in eastern interior design and are often used as a seating area on the floor of the home. Large velvet bean bags or cushions in bright jewelled colour tones can be used to recreate this Moroccan style look that works great in a conservatory space or in a living room area teamed with a low level coffee table. If you have a plain fabric or leather sofa then a scattering of coloured velvet cushions provide a simple and cost effective way of introducing a new accent colour and fabric into your current home interior. Bold colours and pattern will give a retro feel to your chosen interior space while a selection of glamorous black, red and silver cushions will create a rococo interior feel that is sumptuous and luxurious.

Furniture

French bed frames with intricate carved frameworks look fabulous with a velvet upholstered headboard and foot board to create an eye-catching feature in both neutral and bold bedroom areas. Antique white bed frames look beautiful with a classic button effect velvet head board in crisp white of dove grey for a serene and feminine sleeping space. Shimmering silver frames can be complimented with a bold black velvet finish for a splash of flamboyant opulence. Black painted bed frames can be co-ordinated with a black velvet head and footboard for a masculine finish or an opulent grey or silver velvet fabric for a contrasting yet complimentary look. Finally an elaborate gold leaf bed frame will look extremely expensive when partnered with a sumptuous beige velvet finish or a rich black velvet headboard for a renaissance style palatial look.

For more ideas on incorporating velvet into your home interior then take a look at our latest Pinterest board - Pinterest - Velvet