Is buying a velvet sofa madness?

[HoxtonBonnet]

We need to replace our ancient leather sofa and my head has been turned by the lovely, very reasonably priced velvet ones on Made.com
We have two teenagers - 15 and 17. Also a cat.

I have gone off the look of leather sofas a bit.

Are velvet sofas hard to keep clean? Can you give them a wipe if something gets spilt? Our current sofa is 20 years old and I have no experience of anything else - fabric sofas are unknown territory!

I've got a dark green velvet sofa from Made. It's now 3 years(ish) old and still looks immaculate. And I'm clumsy and have had dogs on it.

It only needs a quick wipe for spills. I do find it gets dusty, and needs an occasional vacuum, though. Especially the top edge of the back.

Thanks @gobbynorthernbird - that is exactly what I wanted to hear!

So things like chocolate should wipe of ok?

I don't think hoovering it would be a problem.

I would assume that the cat will either destroy it with it's claws or deposit hairs all over it that will be difficult to remove.

Mine after five years is a little bit worn on one side where dfluffycat likes to use it instead of a scratch post. Otherwise it's still beautiful so I'd say go for it!

@BarbaraofSeville our cat is very neurotic and will only sit in one favoured spot - so not really a problem to hoover. Also, he only claws our door mats!

@hilariousnamehere - thank you! I don't think clawing will be a problem.

Very, very tempted now.

My 18 month old Made sofa is holding up well. It did need professional cleaning of one cushion thanks to a nail varnish related incident but it’s recovered perfectly.

Have a look at eBay, there’s a load of ex display Made sofas at cheaper prices.

I can also confirm that chocolate wipes off and liquid spills sit on top for long enough that you’ve got time to clean the up before it’s soaked in.

Thanks @Busygoingblah - that is really good to know. Getting it professionally cleaned every now and again would probably be a very good idea. DS and I both have dust allergies so will be regularly hoovering any way - but that would be a good top-up option.

I have no pets but just me and the kids eating snacks and drinking etc. Mine does get very dusty and crumby and it does show up dirt and hair so it needs to be vacuumed once a week. Also DD's wet hair has left some marks.

I do think velvet is more high maintenance than other fabrics but it does have a lovely look and feel. Mine is dark blue from Loaf. I also have a chaise section and it does get flattened out a bit on the seat section so the leg section is higher and therefore needs very regular re-plumping.

I have a burgundy sofa workshop one which the cat loves and it’s still looking great after 3 years. I love it as well.. the velvet warms up when sitting (lying ) on it. Bliss!

Thanks @Bouledeneige that is very useful to know - especially about the wet hair - that wouldn't have occurred to me.

Our Made.com velvet sofa is a dream. Spills wipe up so easily and don't sink in as long as they are dealt with quickly. I've spilt coffee on ours and literally only needed water to remove the stains, it's like the velvet repels liquid rather than lets it sink in. Yes crumbs do show up but I also find that with leather sofas anyway.

@Boopear - I want one sooo much!

I am thinking of grey or dark green. We also have two chairs covered in a kind of midnight blue coloured cord. They belonged to my dad and no one is allowed to eat/drink on them! I think darkish grey might be a good match.

@Luckyelephant1 can I ask which one you got?

I have a velvet 3 piece suite bought from Barker and Stonehouse. 2 dogs and 3 adults in the house, it's about 10 years old now and virtually looks like new. Wet hair does leave a pattern on the fabric but it brushes out again once dry. Ours was quite expensive but worth every penny, it's very dark purple and I'd buy it again tomorrow - go for it!

@alloutofcareunits if it can survive 10 years and look like new that is good enough for me!

Very excited...

We have grey velvet sofas and i am so surprised at how well they clean if something is spilled on them (i have a 2 year old!). And cat hair is so easily wiped off. I'll never go back to fabric or leather.

I had a sofa covered in a designers guild velvet. It
Looked lovely initlially. However apart from running over with a vacuum it is impossible to clean. Even a slightly damp cloth marks the velvet.

I've got a navy French Connection sofa from DFS. Plus a dog, a cat and four boys. Still looks fab 3 years on. I did take out the extra protection guarantee thing though...

We had a velvet loveseat from Made.com, alongside a fabric sofa of theirs. They are relatively new still and we don't have pets, but seem very good quality and the velvet is less 'delicate' than I was nervous of. You can get stainguard cover (we did) and I hear great things about the quality of the the service.

I am fairly strict about eating and drinking on them, but with teens (mine are too) they are old enough to get that and at least potentially not make a hideous sticky mess (or to put in another way, I'm the only person whose split anything on ours so far ...)

I have 2 velvet sofas, one from Made (Orson). Also 2 cats and a dog. It does grab onto their moulted fur, but at least it keeps the fluff in one place! I doubt I'd have in another fabric now, because velvet feels so nice and comfy. The kitties don't scratch it (they prefer the carpet and their pole) and I wonder if they don't like the feel of velvet for scratching (too soft maybe?)

@AndwhenyougetthereFoffsomemore - thanks that is useful to know about the stainguard option.

Thanks everyone else - I think I am sold.

I love velvet sofas. Very Stevie Nicks!
I'd say go for it. I envy you for getting one