Velvet Sofas?

[Sparkesy]

Help! I'm about to order a large sofa and large armchair but am so torn on the fabric choice.
I want fairly hard wearing but with a luxury feel. We currently have an uncomfortable leather sofa and fancy a change in fabric choice.
Am I mad to choose velvet? I love the look and feel in the store, but will it feel too 'furry' in the summer months? There is an option of a velour but not sure on the more 'distressed' look.
I'm 90% sure on the velvet but having a wobble. Any wise words?

We have two velvet sofas from sofa.com, bought when they had a 20% discount sale. Love them very very much and have lots of lovely compliments from all who see them.

My best friend's family had a velvet sofa throughout our whole childhood. It looked new the whole time. They reupholstered it with a different fabric about 10 years ago and we all miss the velvet!

Fenella do you find that you can loaf comfortably on your sofa all evening (given the chance) or is it more of a occasional sitter? I really want something super comfortable (supportive but soft) that I can sit/lie about on when I have a rare 'me' evening in front of the tv

Sparkesy yes, most comfortable sofa I’ve ever had and it’s big enough to really stretch out if I wanted to. It’s fabulous.

The foam, I was told, is ”a base of high density reflex foam with a softer foam topper to add comfort. They will hold shape and not sink or go flat over time, whilst providing excellent comfort and softness”. That’s from their customer service email, and I have to say it’s totally lived up to those claims.

I've had velvet for years but go for cotton fabric as the polyester ones are cheap to feel as too shiny and feel weird against the skin.

Also crushed velour is trendy whereas velvet is more timeless. The crushed velour is a different breed I think, but people mix up the two and then declare how much they hate velvet sofas.

I’m desperate for a green velvet sofa. Thanks for the inspiration! I’m going to put it in a room that opens out onto the garden.

My turquoise velvet sofa is 18 months - the seat cushions are quite stained already. Family of 3 with a "no food/drink on sofa" rule for dc. Looks lovely but not hard wearing. I've no clue how I'd clean it.

I don't think you'll be disappointed with velvet. We got ours from here www.quatropi.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=velvet

@MuchTooTired that is my dream sofa! What colours are your walls/floor/curtains?

@altiara It’s a proper lush sofa, I’m absolutely thrilled with it! Home decor wise, I’m not terribly fashionable/co-ordinated, the walls are crown sail white and I’m rural with no neighbours so don’t have curtains. The floors are a warm darker wood, like an Indian rosewood colour. I have a teal throw on it, and a few of the cushions in pink and floral to really clash/set it off depending on opinion! It was in the dfs sale when I looked the other day - I’m lusting after the buttoned footstool...!

I have this one, not entirely velvet but the main cushions are. They are wearing very well, still look new after 18 months.

@DavetheCat2001

Have you seen the Scott sofa in real life? I've been lusting after that one in the corner sofa version for a while but there isn't a showroom anywhere near us.

Made.com sofas are massively uncomfortable. We ordered one and it was rock hard (as well as being damaged and had to be sent back). We have a seconds furniture place near us and it's full of made.com sofas. All of the ones we tried were ridiculously uncomfortable.

OK thanks for that info.

How on earth do you clean velvet sofas?

I got a velvet sofa from DFS and footstool. Sofa is very comfy, navy blue and footstool is forest green. OP I know you are going for grey because you think it's neutral but I do think grey is dating quite a bit already and other colours can be neutral too! I would argue navy blue is quite neutral as it looks great paired with most colours.

We got both treated against spills but they are dust magnets so a light hoover with the upholstery brush is a must. I have 3 kids so I've had lots of dried-in gunk on the footstool especially but once I dab it with a clean cloth wetted with warm water it gets everything out no problem. Good luck with your purchase! 😊

Omg DavetheCat2001, FenellaVelour, & Sittingroomcolours. I so love ur sofa's