Velvet: A Fabric to Love

Velvet, a woven tufted fabric, dates back thousands of years. What was once associated with nobility is readily available today for anyone to use. Those tiny loops of woven thread, help give this luxurious its soft, distinctive feel, making it perfect for those places in your home you want to make extra cozy. Here we will take a deeper look into the fabric and what it can bring to your home.

Types of Velvet

Velvet can be made from a variety of fibers such as silk, rayon, acetate and cotton. Although each fiber produces different results, velvet still remains a lovely choice for home decorating. There are three main varieties of velvet available for purchase: pure, cut and crushed. Here is a breakdown on what makes them unique:

• Pure velvet is made from a plain weave with a short, dense pile.
• Cut velvet has a raised design cut into the fabric and will usually have a secondary fabric like chiffon or voile to serve as a backing.
• Crushed velvet gets its unmistakable appearance because it is pulled through a narrow cylinder and then dried in a crumpled form.

How to Use Velvet

The best thing about velvet is its texture, but if it’s not used appropriately, it can be very overwhelming. Velvet can be many things: seductive, classy, chic or glamorous but too much in one space minimizes the elegance, making it seem almost tacky. You don’t want it to lose its impact, which is why it’s important to use it sparingly. Keep reading for a few ideas on how to incorporate velvet into your home decor.

Idea #1: The Bedroom

The bedroom is a perfect place to start. What better place to surround yourself with comfort? For a classy look, try a velvet-covered headboard. Throw a velvet blanket on top of the bedding to have accessible warmth whenever you need it. For something a little more daring, skip the headboard and wrap the box spring in velvet. Not only will it look luxurious, you can do without the bed frame.

Idea #2: Formal Areas

Formal living rooms or formal eating areas such as the dining room are great places to use velvet. The easiest, and possibly the best way, is through drapery. Adding long velvet drapes to your windows are a wonderful way to bring drama into the space. To top it off, consider reupholstering pieces like dining room chairs, a chase lounge or a chair and ottoman.

Idea #3: Casual Spaces

A super easy way to bring a little elegance into your casual spaces is with decorative pillows and throws. Even the most casual chair or loveseat can look glam with some fringed velvet pillows or a soft throw draped over it. If your casual space is all about fun, add one colorful velvet piece of furniture to your room.

How to Clean Velvet Upholstery

Although beautiful and densely plush, velvet can be sensitive to cleaning. Here are some ways to clean it without damaging it:

• Use a soft bristled hairbrush, velvet brush or cloth to smooth or to keep dust and debris at bay. Always brush in the direction of the nap.
• Vacuum excess dust, dirt or fuzz on the fabric surface. A special attachment for velvet can be found at appliance stores where vacuums are sold or at fine furniture stores.
• To remove creases, use a steamer. Use a moderate pace until it disappears.
• If liquid spills, try to remove as much moisture as you can from the upholstery. The best way to accomplish this is to use a dry absorbent cloth. Dab lightly to avoid pushing the moisture further into the fabric.
• To tackle stains, mix a few drops of dish detergent in a small amount of warm water and create suds. Apply lightly and try not to over wet the spot. For stubborn stains, use a dry cleaning solvent.
• Let the fabric air-dry. A hair dryer set on low heat can be used to speed up the process if needed. Hold it about 5 inches away from the fabric and keep moving to avoid damage.

One downfall is that upholstery velvet can wear quickly with rough use. However, if you keep this in mind when choosing which piece to cover, it should withstand time. Since velvet comes in a variety of colors and is readily available, it is definitely a fabric you should consider incorporating into your home design.

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