Decorating
Decorating: Why Velvet is the Perfect Winter Warmer
Cosy up your home with a flourish of velvet, be it a pile of silvery cushions or a beautiful jewel-bright sofa
If you’re looking for ways to warm up your home this winter, it’s hard to beat the cosy stroke-ability of velvet. This luxurious, feel-good fabric is tactile, plush and oozing with opulence. These days, it comes in every colour of the rainbow, so the choice is yours. Mink and putty shades will offer a classic touch to any decorating scheme, or why not brave the bright side of the colour wheel and head for hot pink, sunshine yellow or bright cobalt? Check out these shimmering examples for inspiration.
Style it well
Velvet can transform something very ordinary into something extraordinary when executed in the right way. These classic dining chairs, upholstered in a zingy yellow velvet, inject an unexpected punch of colour and, along with the shiny copper pendant lights and sophisticated grey paintwork, conjure up just the right mix of laid-back warmth and smart sophistication.
Velvet can transform something very ordinary into something extraordinary when executed in the right way. These classic dining chairs, upholstered in a zingy yellow velvet, inject an unexpected punch of colour and, along with the shiny copper pendant lights and sophisticated grey paintwork, conjure up just the right mix of laid-back warmth and smart sophistication.
Pick a powerful colour
Most of us might not be daring enough to go for a hot pink velvet chesterfield sofa in a country cottage or barn conversion. But the vivid colour and clever blend of old and new elevates this rustic living room into a unique space, the gleam of the velvet adding a welcoming luxe touch to the rough natural textures.
Most of us might not be daring enough to go for a hot pink velvet chesterfield sofa in a country cottage or barn conversion. But the vivid colour and clever blend of old and new elevates this rustic living room into a unique space, the gleam of the velvet adding a welcoming luxe touch to the rough natural textures.
Consider a velvet headboad
Transform your bedroom into an elegant boudoir with an oversized headboard in lavish velvet. Berry shades are a good choice as they are warm, opulent and complement crisp white bed linen beautifully (and are less likely to show up grubby marks).
Transform your bedroom into an elegant boudoir with an oversized headboard in lavish velvet. Berry shades are a good choice as they are warm, opulent and complement crisp white bed linen beautifully (and are less likely to show up grubby marks).
Maximise the opulence
Richly coloured velvet is both vibrant and chic. Don’t be afraid to mix and match deep teal with pale amethyst, dark magenta or even a hint of full-bodied ruby if you wish. Keep the backdrop neutral and sparse and let the hues do the talking.
Richly coloured velvet is both vibrant and chic. Don’t be afraid to mix and match deep teal with pale amethyst, dark magenta or even a hint of full-bodied ruby if you wish. Keep the backdrop neutral and sparse and let the hues do the talking.
Highlight with jewel brights
You don’t need to decorate your room top-to-toe in velvet for it to have an impact. Look how sensational this bright yellow, deep-buttoned pouffe looks when offset against the other fabrics. Choose single accents of colour for maximum design clout.
You don’t need to decorate your room top-to-toe in velvet for it to have an impact. Look how sensational this bright yellow, deep-buttoned pouffe looks when offset against the other fabrics. Choose single accents of colour for maximum design clout.
Layer with soft shades
If you love velvet headboards, why not run with the idea and cover the whole wall in padded-velvet panels? This off-white scheme is incredibly inviting thanks to the feel-good fabrics, ambient lighting and wall-to-wall thick carpet – the cosiest and most romantic den to hunker down in on a winter’s eve.
See more ideas for a romantic boudoir
If you love velvet headboards, why not run with the idea and cover the whole wall in padded-velvet panels? This off-white scheme is incredibly inviting thanks to the feel-good fabrics, ambient lighting and wall-to-wall thick carpet – the cosiest and most romantic den to hunker down in on a winter’s eve.
See more ideas for a romantic boudoir
Make it modern
This slick, modern room shows off the versatility of velvet, revealing how it can inject a special touch into any scheme, not just the traditional or the vintage. The bright, cobalt blue velvet offers a powerful interruption to the graphic, grey fireplace and glossy round coffee tables, adding layers of contrasting texture at the same time.
This slick, modern room shows off the versatility of velvet, revealing how it can inject a special touch into any scheme, not just the traditional or the vintage. The bright, cobalt blue velvet offers a powerful interruption to the graphic, grey fireplace and glossy round coffee tables, adding layers of contrasting texture at the same time.
Add velvet accessories
There really is nothing more luxurious than a swish of velvet in the bedroom. This soft, crushed-velvet throw and cushions, in a delicate palette of whispery grey and duck-egg blue, are beautiful to look at and even nicer to snuggle up with.
There really is nothing more luxurious than a swish of velvet in the bedroom. This soft, crushed-velvet throw and cushions, in a delicate palette of whispery grey and duck-egg blue, are beautiful to look at and even nicer to snuggle up with.
Dare to go brighter
I’m a big fan of neon shades and this all-white scheme certainly bursts to life with piles of velvet cushions in acid yellow, electric blue and fluoro pink. Sometimes, it’s refreshing not to take your décor too seriously. If you love something, just do it, and the results will speak for themselves.
TELL US…
Have you been lavish with velvet in your home? Please share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
I’m a big fan of neon shades and this all-white scheme certainly bursts to life with piles of velvet cushions in acid yellow, electric blue and fluoro pink. Sometimes, it’s refreshing not to take your décor too seriously. If you love something, just do it, and the results will speak for themselves.
TELL US…
Have you been lavish with velvet in your home? Please share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
Forget practicalities for just a moment and let your senses be enveloped by the radiant vision of snowy white velvet. This incredibly chic monochrome drawing room does black and white in true style, with the classic white velvet tub chairs enhancing the overall elegance against the smart charcoal walls.
Discover more monochrome rooms