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If you have your sights set on a velvet sectional, you’re not alone.
These luxurious sofas can make the perfect addition to a modern living room, adding statement-making style with premium comfort. But with so many options and sofa brands to choose from, shopping for furniture can make your head spin.
You want to find a sofa that suits your lifestyle and household, ideally without breaking the bank. In addition, you want something that’s going to last for years to come. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by trying to find the right fit, but we’re here to help. This guide contains expert advice on finding the right sofa and highlights some of the best velvet sectionals from around the web. Keep reading to learn more.
How to Make a Velvet Sofa Work in Your Living Space
A velvet sectional is an investment in your space. And if you’re worried about making sure it looks right, we’re here to help. You don’t want to get a sofa that doesn't fit perfectly with your space. The key is to decorate around your sofa, and we’ve highlighted some expert advice to make it easier below.
“The main idea of a velvet sofa, especially a sectional, is to create a focal point in the room and add personality,” explained Anaïs Chaumien, a French interior designer based in New York City. “If you want to add a maximum of character, go for the boldest colors—the rust and golden tones are always a great idea. If you are not sure about it, go for neutral colors like gray, cream, blush, or navy and accessorize with pillows and throws.”
“Use your sofa as the statement element of the room, and do not overwhelm the space,” continued Chaumien. “So, don’t go for a velvet sectional if you have a super small living room. You need to have space to circulate around it. If you choose a sofa too big for the room, the global effect will be awkward. Choose a good size for the space.”
“Finally, add some throws and pillows on it, but avoid anything shiny, like silk. And don’t use too complicated objects around your velvet sectional. Keep it simple. Brass accents will work perfectly with sectional sofa, maybe for the coffee table or the chandelier, as will darker woods like walnut,” Chaumien finished.
Watch: Learn more about sectionals, what to look for when buying one and how to style them with interior designer Bri Ussery:
8 Best Places to Buy a Velvet Sectional Online in 2023
Inside Weather specializes in making exceptional custom furniture with accessible price points. When you select a piece of furniture, you’ll go through a complete customization process to make sure you get exactly what you want. Everything is made to order in the United States with no middlemen, warehouse costs, or wasted material to keep things affordable and eco-friendly without sacrificing quality.
One of our favorite velvet sectionals from Inside Weather is the retro-style Custom Levi Sectional(pictured above), available in plush velvet. It comes with optional throw and accent pillows, and you'll get your choice of back pillows, including chesterfield-esque tufted options. The Levi is a reversible sectional sofa too, so you can quickly move the chaise to be left facing or right facing depending on what works best for your space.
The Aero sectional is another excellent option, with a low profile and an eye-catching architectural back design that looks impressive from all angles. It's also available in plush velvet. The Aero is a modular sectional too, so the sofa can adapt as much as needed. For example, you can switch the chaise to either side or even adjust the sofa from a 4-seater into a 3-seater, or corner sectional.
Burrow specializes in providing luxury furniture and better experiences at affordable prices, reducing costs by delivering directly to customers. Each piece of Burrow furniture is made with sustainably sourced hardwood with stain- and scratch-resistant, non-toxic fabrics. You also get the choice of responsibly forested wood legs or plated steel styles.
The Nomad Velvet Sofa is a must-see from Burrow’s line. It includes optional upgrades for a moveable chaise, an ottoman, bolster pillows, and a kit to convert it into a sleeper sectional. In addition, the Nomad has a modular design with almost unlimited configurations, all the way from a small loveseat to a 7-piece sectional.
The upholstery is made from Burrow’s Performance Velvet, which is easy to clean, stain-resistant, and durable enough for today’s busy homes. There's a range of colors available too, from navy blue, jade, and a pink-ish dusk to more neutral tones like graphite gray and feather (light gray). "Finding a velvet that was both beautiful and durable enough to fit our customers' lifestyles took some time. Eventually, we found a performance velvet that both repels stains and resists scratches, and so far, people love it," a Burrow spokesperson told Living Cozy.
"Finding a velvet that was both beautiful and durable enough to fit our customers' lifestyles took some time."
“One particular detail that I really like [from Burrow] is that you can purchase a Sleep Kit that will transform any sofa into a very comfortable sleeper sofa with a memory foam mattress [topper],” says Anaïs Chaumien. “I found the idea so useful, especially in NYC where you cannot always afford to have a spare bedroom.”
Apt2B offers trendy, affordable pieces of furniture that are designed to fit in the modern-day home. They're online exclusive, which means there are no locations or physical purchasing options. Instead, each piece of Apt2B furniture is made to order in the United States, and you'll go through a complete customization process with style, size, fabric, and stain choices.
The Scott Reversible Chaise Sofa is one of our favorite pieces from Apt2B. It has distinct mid-century modern charm with sleek angles, sharp lines, and precise detailing. In addition, it features reversible, flippable detached cushioning and an ottoman-style chaise that makes switching it from one side to the other a snap.
The Melrose Reversible Chaise Sofa is another beautiful option. It has a distinct designer flair with wide-track arms and a low-rise silhouette. It gets even better when you customize it with your preferred leg finish and color. In addition, the Melrose features a reversible chaise lounge that quickly moves from one side to the other, perfect for moving or rearrange your furniture.
Maiden Home offers design-driven luxury furniture for modern homes. Every piece is handcrafted in the United States and held to the highest standards for a unique blend of beauty, comfort, and quality. From the springs to the frame to the cushions, Maiden Home pays extra attention to the details. They also offer complimentary shipping and white glove delivery service. “Velvet is a material that stands the test of time,” Emily Jones, a Maiden Home Design Advisor, told Living Cozy. “Velvet's luxurious texture adds an elevated look to any sectional."
The Jones modular sofa in emerald green velvet is among our favorites if you’re looking for a relaxed modern styling to match your home decor. The silhouette features a laid-back shape that marries oversized proportions with down-filled coziness. "We used this image as our holiday 2020 hero," shares Jones. "Richly hued and luxuriously soft, Emerald Performance Velvet adds dramatic luxury to any piece—with performance-backed quality to stand up to any lifestyle."
The Crosby sectional cuts a classic shape with a clean and tailored appeal. The seat and arms are cozy but still upright enough to offer incredible support, and it’s available as a chaise, L-, or U-shaped sectional. With a lean profile, The Crosby is ideal for both large and small spaces.
Albany Park was founded in 2019 with the goal of making it easier to buy handmade sofas and cushioned seats. All of their furniture ships in apartment-friendly boxes designed for easy maneuvering in tight hallways and stairwells. In addition, they offer fast and free shipping and a lifetime warranty on every product.
The Park Sectional is a chic sofa that embodies sophistication and timeless style, which is why it’s one of our top picks from Albany Park. The back and seat cushions are removable and reversible (for the velvet and gray fabrics), made with high-resiliency foam topped with a layer of cruelty-free synthetic feathers for ultimate comfort. When you order the Park, you’ll have your choice of fabric color — including green, yellow, red, and blue velvet — and material, as well as leg color and chaise orientation.
Another excellent choice is the Kova Sectional, which offers both comfort and chic style. The Kova is a modular sofa with a chaise ottoman that switches easily from one side to another and comes in a range of standard sizes from loveseat to u-shape. In addition, it boasts reversible back cushions and a cloud-soft feather-fiber blend filling to provide cozy comfort. And the best part? It's easy to assemble with no tools required. Pair with some throw pillows to make a super cozy den to snuggle up in.
Discount: Use code COZY10 code to be 10% off sitewide on all Albany Park purchases $1,000+.
BenchMade Modern calls itself a rebellious luxury brand, making living room furniture for design junkies of all types. Each handcrafted piece is fully customizable and made to order in the United States. They're made to be enjoyed, used, and loved for years to come. To prove it, every piece comes with a lifetime warranty.
“I loved working with BenchMade Modern because they can send you a printout of your sofa size before ordering it. I really loved this idea! No stress about how the sofa will fit in the room when it’s delivered,” comments Chaumien.
One of our top picks from BenchMade Modern is the Skinny Fat Sofa with Chaise. With a commandingly modern silhouette and minimalist aesthetic, the Skinny Fat is made for people who like to kick back in supreme comfort. It features cozy Trillium-wrapped cushions with a medium-soft comfort level and a relaxed low-sloped back frame.
The Catwalk Sofa with Chaise is a modestly scaled deep seat sectional with a nod to mid-century design without being overly retro. It features gorgeous stiletto antique brass or matte black metal legs, subtly shaped armrests, and plenty of modern styling while still paying homage to the simplicity of mid-century styling. The Catwalk boasts a medium-firm comfort level and a slightly lowered seat to allow you to comfortably sit into the frame.
Sabai sells earth-friendly, affordable luxury furniture with an emphasis on the details. They use non-toxic, sustainable materials. Every piece is fully customizable, complete with free fabric swatches, to help you create your dream sectional. All Sabai furniture is USA-made in North Carolina. They offer a buy-back guarantee, and a unique Repair Don't Replace program that makes sure your furniture will last a lifetime.
Sabai offers just four pieces of furniture, and The Essential Sectional is a must-see. It's designed for maximum comfort with wide arms, a reversible sofa chaise extension, and the proportions of a luxury sofa. The soft velvet fabric is made from recycled velvet, perfect for eco-friendly households. In addition, you can rest assured that your purchase is helping keep discarded materials out of landfills—and with the Repair Don't Replace program, you can keep it that way.
AllModern aims to make contemporary furniture accessible and affordable for everyone on every budget. They offer a comprehensive collection of modern furniture for every room of the home, with a fast and reliable shipping program, so you don't have to wait more than a few days. In addition, AllModern aims to make shopping for furniture as easy as possible with full-service delivery and assembly and an emphasis on customer service.
The Kasey 84'' Reversible Stationary Sofa & Chaise Sectional(pictured above) features a clean-lined silhouette and a solid wood frame that’s wrapped in luxe velvet upholstery. It features a reversible chaise that’s easy to move from side to side, track arms, button-tufted seat cushions, and tapered wooden legs. It also includes bolster pillows to provide an appealing contrast to the sofa’s overall style.
The Jasper 119'' Velvet Stationary Sectional(pictured abovein Sapphire Dark Gray/Black velvet) is another of our favorites, with a low back, track arms, and a clean-lined silhouette. It’s big enough to sprawl out on for movie night with extra deep seats and comfy cushions for just the right amount of support. We love the dark gray velvet option—perfect for modern decor—and easy assembly is always a plus. The velvet upholstery is also designed to resist stains, mildew, scratches, tears, and fading.
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Pros and Cons of Velvet Sectionals
“Sectional velvet sofas are super popular these days. They can be a great addition to your living room,” Chaumien commented. Most popular furniture comes with pros and cons, and it’s important to consider these when you’re investing in a new sectional. We asked Chaumien to walk us through it and here’s what she had to say:
Pros:
“Velvet is a very elegant fabric.”
“It will fit a lot of styles (traditional, glamour, boho, urban, etc.)."
“You'll find an incredible choice of colors, so you can be super playful (orange, gold, or green are my personal favorite) or more neutral (navy, blush, or gray).”
“It's great for cat and dog hair as you can easily brush it off the sofa.”
“It's a statement piece. There’s no need to change a lot of your decoration, or to be an interior design expert if you want to create a beautiful design in your living room. Instead, keep everything pretty neutral around, and add a pop of color and character to the room with a velvet sectional.”
Cons:
“Be careful if you have a super bright living room with direct light on it, as velvet will fade.”
“It remains a pretty fragile fabric, so maybe not the best choice if you have children or pets.”
“It's not super easy to clean, so avoid spilling your glass of wine on it!”
“As with every statement piece, it's not always easy to manipulate. Be careful not to overwhelm the room with too many patterns, colors, and materials. My best advice is to keep it simple around it.”
If you choose a durable option like the Burrow Performance Velvet, you can sidestep some of the cons. Some velvet fabric can be durable enough for pets and kids while still being easy to clean. Though interior designer Megan Dufresne, the founder of MC Design, warns you to think about any potential wear and tear your sofa set may face.
“Velvet sofas are luxurious and elegant,” says Dufresne. “They can elevate a room and still keep it feeling cozy. They can also be a bit of a challenge to care for, so when deciding on a velvet sofa there are a few things to consider.”
“Velvet can be very unforgiving when it comes to stains and discoloration. The slightest bit of sweat or moisture will leave a mark,” continued Dufresne, whose work has been featured by Apartment Therapy, Realtor.com, and many other publications. “It's no match to sticky little hands or wet puppy noses. A good option is to find a velvet slipcover. This will allow you to dry clean it easily and keep it looking fresh for much longer.”
Shelby Golding is a Colorado-based writer/editor with over a decade of experience. She has a college education in interior design and enjoys woodworking in her free time.
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