Can You Upholster Furniture in Velvet?

Furniture upholstered in velvet can be elegant or quirky.

Velvet has a rich, sumptuous feel to it and works well as an upholstery fabric. However, it requires special consideration in the upholstering and care of the fabric if it is to wear well.

Types of Velvet

Cotton velvet has an old-fashioned feel. Cotton is resistant to moths and sunlight. Crushed velvet appears to be wrinkled even when it's not and lends a 1960s vibe to your furniture. Suede velvet is made of nylon. It is mildew-resistant and stain-resistant and tends to look shinier than cotton velvet.

Upholstering Furniture in Velvet

Velvet is a fabric with a pile, which means it looks different if you rub it one way vs. the other. If it's a well-made piece of fabric, velvet will handle abrasion well. Make sure the nap of the fabric, or the direction of the pile, runs from the top of the chair down and outward, or toward the front, so that it's not pushed in the opposite direction when people sit down.

Cleaning Velvet Furniture

Blot stains immediately on velvet, using a small amount of dish detergent if necessary. Let the material air dry, or dry it with a hair dryer. Vacuum pet hair and fuzz off the surface, and steam wrinkles out.

References

• Jando Fabrics: Velvet
• Colorado State University: Selecting Upholstered Furniture for Your Home
• Isnare: Caring for Velvet Furniture Upholstery
• How To Clean Stuff: How to Clean Velvet Upholstery