So, just what is velvet? Our guide takes a deep dive into the luxury material and answers the questions as to why you should have a little (or a lot) in your home.

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What Is Velvet?

Known for its super sleek and super soft qualities, velvet is a man-made fabric constructed of polyester, rayon and silk. Traditional velvet was made from pure silk, making it even more supple and luxurious than the velvet we know today. The best part about velvet furniture and accent decor is how soft to the touch it is, making it ideal for pieces that will be in close contact to the skin. Bonus - because velvet looks as good as it feels, it's classed as a multisensory fabric..

Why Choose Velvet?

Aside from being soft and warm, velvet also has the ability to create depth and definition. Because velvet has a deeper pile than most other fabrics, colours look more vibrant, intense and richer on a velvet sofa compared to a cotton or linen sofa. The sheen in velvet also allows it to reflect light rather than absorb it, making velvet furniture great for darker rooms.

Velvet is a hearty fabric that can withstand years of use, making it a great choice for family room furniture. It doesn't pill however it can get crush marks. One con about velvet furniture is that it does tend to pick up a lot of pet hair. If you're worried about this, opt for furniture in a colour that matches your pet.

Tip: Cat owners rejoice! Cats have a harder time getting their claws into velvet than into a fabric with a more obvious weave like linen. No more worries about leaving them alone with your velvet furniture.

How to Care for Velvet

Aside from looking and feeling amazing, velvet is also an extremely durable fabric. If treated with proper care, velvet can last for years. In this way, it's similar to leather – it just keeps getting better with age. To care for velvet, use the handheld nozzle of a vacuum cleaner to clean up any crumbs or dirt. Use a damp towel to dab spills while they're still wet. If the liquid dries, consult the manufacturer to see what the next best plan of attack is.

How to Avoid Crush Marks

Getting crush marks on your velvet furniture may seem inevitable over time but there are a few tricks you can use to avoid them.

• Rotate the cushions on a velvet sofa regularly to prevent pressure marks from forming where the cushions meet.
• Brush velvet furniture weekly with a velvet brush or a clothes brush.
• Don't let objects with hard edges rest on velvet furniture for a long time. A TV remote or book can leave a mark on the velvet if it stays in one spot for too long.
• Plump up velvet cushions and throw pillows often to keep them from wrinkling.

If you do see crush marks, first try to brush them out with a velvet brush. If that doesn't work, check the fabric tag to see if water-based cleaning solutions are ok to use. Then spray the crushed area with a little bit of water and gently brush it.

Tip: Be careful where you place leather furniture, as rich-hued velvet can fade over time if it's left in direct sunlight.

A History of Velvet

Velvet was very expensive to produce in the past, so it still is sometimes associated with the upper class or royalty. With the invention of the modern industrial loom, velvet became a lot cheaper to produce, making it affordable (but still plush) enough for everybody.

Tip: Enjoyed this article? Then you might also like:

• Ask the Experts: Linen vs. Cotton
• Every Sofa Fabric, Explained
• The Best Textiles to Uplift Your Home