Velvet suits you if you want a rich, refined look and a smooth surface that is easy to brush clean. Cord suits you if you prefer a relaxed, tactile sofa that hides crumbs and everyday wear in its ridges. Both are comfortable and both can handle family life; the deciding factors are the feel you prefer, how you use the room and whether pets share the sofa.
Velvet and corduroy are two of the most characterful fabrics for upholstery. You will find both textures among our modern fabric sofas UK, and seeing them side by side quickly shows how differently they catch the light.
Velvet has a dense, short pile that stands upright from the base weave. This pile gives velvet its soft feel and its distinctive sheen, which shifts as light moves across it. Most sofa velvets now use polyester or blends, which are more durable and stain resistant than traditional silk or cotton velvets.
Corduroy, usually shortened to cord, has raised ridges known as wales running in parallel lines. Jumbo cord has wide, chunky ribs, while needle cord has fine ones. Upholstery cord is commonly made from cotton, polyester or a blend, and its ribbed texture gives sofas a relaxed, slightly retro character.
Both fabrics sit within our wider sofas UK sale range in a variety of shapes, so you can choose the texture first and the silhouette second.
Velvet looks polished and luxurious. Its sheen deepens colours, which is why jewel tones such as emerald, sapphire and teal look so striking. It feels cool and smooth to the touch.
Cord looks warm and casual. The ribs create shadow lines that give the fabric depth, and it feels soft and textured beneath the hand. Earthy tones such as caramel, tan, olive and rust are especially popular in cord.
If you enjoy a glamorous or formal room, velvet often fits better. If you prefer a laid back, lived in feel, cord tends to suit.
Modern polyester velvets are hard wearing and tightly woven, which helps them resist wear. The main thing to know is that velvet shows pressure marks, sometimes called bruising, where the pile has been flattened. These usually brush out and are part of the fabric character.
Cord is robust and forgiving. The ridges disguise small marks and general wear. Over time, the raised wales can soften and flatten in areas of heavy use, such as the front edge of seat cushions, which gives a gently worn look many people enjoy.
Always check the care label for the specific cleaning code before using any product.
Velvet has no loose loops, so claws are less likely to catch than on a looped weave. Its smooth surface makes pet hair easy to remove with a lint roller or vacuum. However, sharp claws can still mark the pile.
Cord is forgiving with children, hiding crumbs and small marks. Pet hair can collect in the ridges, though regular vacuuming deals with it. Wider jumbo cords are a little more prone to holding debris than fine needle cord.
Whichever fabric you choose, a washable throw over the most used seat is a simple way to protect it on busy days.
Velvet feels cool initially and warms quickly when you sit down. It is pleasant all year round and especially cosy in winter. Cord feels warm and soft from the start, which makes it inviting in colder months. In very warm weather, both are more comfortable than leather or faux leather, which can feel sticky.
Colour behaves differently on velvet and cord, so it is worth thinking about them together. Velvet intensifies colour. A green that looks muted on a swatch can appear far richer once it covers a full sofa, especially in daylight. Deep jewel shades suit velvet well, while softer tones such as dusky pink, oyster and stone give a gentler glamour.
Cord softens colour slightly, as the ridges create small shadows. Earthy shades such as caramel, rust, olive and chocolate feel natural in cord, and lighter neutrals such as oatmeal and sand look relaxed and inviting. Darker cords hide everyday marks especially well.
Velvet suits tailored shapes with defined edges: curved backs, scalloped silhouettes, slim arms and fixed back cushions. The smooth surface highlights the outline of the sofa, so a clean shape looks its best.
Cord suits softer, more generous shapes. Deep seats, loose scatter backs and rounded arms emphasise its relaxed character. Jumbo cord in particular works well on chunky, low slung designs that invite you to sink in.
Both fabrics can fade if placed in strong, direct sunlight for long periods. Velvet can show fading more noticeably because the pile reflects light and reveals any change in colour depth. Cord tends to fade more evenly. If your sofa will sit near a south or west facing window, consider sheer curtains or blinds, and choose mid tones that are less likely to show change.
Over years of use, velvet keeps its overall appearance well with brushing, though favourite seats may show a slightly different sheen. Cord gradually takes on a softer, worn character as the ribs relax. Neither is a fault; both are part of how natural textures age. Decide whether you prefer a sofa that stays polished or one that grows more relaxed over time.
Velvet looks its best with contrast. Pair a velvet sofa with linen or cotton cushions, a wool rug and a marble or glass coffee table so the sheen stands out. Brass lighting and dark wood add warmth. Avoid piling on too many velvet accessories, as the room can start to feel heavy.
Cord pairs naturally with relaxed textures such as knitted throws, sheepskin, rattan and jute. Warm wooden furniture and soft, layered lighting suit its easygoing character. Cord also sits comfortably alongside plants and ceramics, which reinforces its natural, slightly retro feel.
Repeating a fabric in another room is a subtle way to link spaces. If you choose a velvet sofa for the living room, a few velvet dining chairs UK sale pieces in a complementary shade can carry the look into an adjoining dining area.
For larger households, a corner shape gives more seating in either fabric. Our modern corner fabric sofas UK include designs that suit both glamorous and relaxed schemes. For families with very young children, our guide to choosing a sofa for UK homes with children under three looks at fabric choices and practical features in more depth.
To narrow it down, ask yourself a few questions. Do you prefer a smooth or textured feel? Is the room formal or relaxed? Will pets regularly sit on the sofa? Do you want colours to look deep and glossy, or soft and earthy?
If you can, run your hand across both fabrics. The tactile difference is often what decides it. You can explore our full selection of velvet, cord and other fabric sofas at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.
Both can be hard wearing. Modern polyester velvet resists wear well but shows pressure marks. Cord is robust and hides wear, though ribs may soften in heavily used areas.
Pet hair sits on the surface of velvet and is easy to remove with a lint roller or vacuum. Claws can mark the pile, so a throw helps protect favourite spots.
Not particularly. Vacuum along the ridges regularly and treat spills promptly, working in the direction of the wales.
Cord feels warm and soft from the first touch. Velvet feels cool at first but warms quickly, making both comfortable through the year.
Yes. Modern sofa velvets are designed for daily use and, with regular brushing and vacuuming, keep their appearance well.
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