The sensory delight of velvet upholstery
- October 20th, 2023
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Inspiration
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Residential
When it comes to interior design, we often focus on the visual aspects of a room—colour palettes and furniture arrangements, for example.
However, there's a hidden gem in the arsenal of any excellent interior designer that engages another sense entirely: touch.
Today we're journeying into a world of touch through exploring the sensory delight of velvet fabrics and how you can incorporate them into your home decor.
"Velvet is to the touch what a kiss is to the soul." — Emmanuel Dagher
Velvet upholstery: elevating all furniture
Close your eyes for a moment and imagine running your fingers across a velvet sofa or chair. The sensation is unlike any other.
Velvet is known for its soft, plush, and almost silky touch. It exudes luxury and comfort, inviting you to sink in and unwind after a long day. Let's face it, velvet furniture not only makes your home look amazing but also feels super lush.
Touch and texture's role in experiential interior design
Touch and texture are like the secret ingredients that, when combined, make interior spaces outstanding. It's like a special invite for our senses to join the party and connect with the space and the current moment.
Texture adds an extra dimension and character to a room, whether it's in the grain of natural wood, a shaggy rug, or the tactile intrigue of textured wallcoverings.
The variety of different adjectives you can use to describe texture just highlights that it’s a rich sensory space. Sliman Bensmaia, PhD, co-author of a recent study into how to measure the sense of touch. Read more: How the brain responds to texture
Designers use touch and texture to make rooms not just beautiful but elevate it into a multisensory journey: if you dare to put down your phone and answer the call to adventure, that is.
The sensory impact of velvet
Picture this: when you touch a super soft velvet sofa or run your hand along a smooth, cool marble countertop, it's like your furniture giving you a warm yet undeniably elegant hug!
This is the power of touch. When you touch velvet, you're not just feeling a fabric; you're experiencing an emotion. The gentle glide of your fingers over velvet can evoke feelings of comfort, security, and a sense of indulgence. This sensory richness is one of the reasons why velvet has been a cherished material for centuries, offering both visual and tactile pleasure to anyone who encounters it.
It's a fabric that can soothe your senses, making it the perfect choice for upholstery, headboards and toss pillows.
Bringing velvet upholstery into your home
Once you've fallen in love with velvet, here are our textile designers' top ideas to integrate it into your living space:
- Velvet Throw Pillows: Add a touch of luxury to your sofa or bed with velvet throw pillows in rich, complementary colours.
- Velvet Sofas or Statement Armchairs: Consider having a piece of furniture professionally reupholstered in the velvet of your dreams. Why not start with an armchair or lovely two-seater sofa?
- Velvet Headboards: Transform your bedroom with a velvet-upholstered headboard. Choose a bold colour to make it the focal point of the room.
- Velvet Dining Chairs: Give your dining room a touch of luxury by upholstering your dining chairs in velvet. Mix and match different colours for a playful look.
Here are some even more, shall we say, eclectic ideas:
- Velvet Accent Wall: Consider using velvet panels or wallpaper to create a soft and opulent accent wall in your bedroom or living room. The plush texture and rich colours of velvet can make a bold and unique design statement.
- Velvet Ceiling: Instead of traditional paint or wallpaper, install velvet on your ceiling for an extravagant look. It can create a cocoon-like atmosphere in bedrooms or home theaters.
- Velvet Pet Bed: Treat your furry friends to a cozy velvet pet bed. They'll appreciate the softness, and it can be a stylish addition to your home - yes even FibreGuard velvets are pet-friendly! Read more: Easy clean fabrics perfect for homes with pets
Caring for Velvet Upholstery
To maintain the sensory appeal of velvet, it's important to care for it properly. Regularly vacuum or brush your velvet upholstery to prevent dust and dirt buildup.
Keeping your FibreGuard velvet upholstery fabrics looking gorgeous is a breeze, all thanks to our Stain-Free Technology, which shields them from spills and stains often encountered in high-traffic areas.
In fact, even with our softest velvet upholstery, all accidental stains can be removed using only water, but should you have a tougher stain, you could use a small amount of standard, white, household soap too. Keep in mind that immediate stain removal will ensure the best result. Learn more about our four cleaning steps.
Looking for low-maintenance velvet upholstery? Look for FibreGuard
Maintaining the beauty of your FibreGuard velvet upholstery fabrics is simple, thanks to our Stain Free Technology, protecting them from spills and stains that can occur in busy spaces.
This means you can enjoy the luxurious look and feel of velvet fabrics without worrying about accidental mishaps. Simply wipe away any spills with a damp cloth, and your velvet furniture will stay fresh and pristine for years to come.
Incorporating velvet into your home decor is not just about adding visual beauty but also enhancing the sensory experience of your living space. From the gentle touch of velvet against your skin to the emotions it can evoke, this fabric is a sensory delight that can truly transform any room.
So, why not take a tactile journey and introduce the sensory richness of velvet into your interior design? You'll discover that the softness and luxury of this fabric have the power to make your home a more inviting and comforting place to be.