Velvet has a singular magic. Soft yet structured, indulgent yet timeless, it transforms colour into something richer and pattern into something more expressive. It’s a fabric that invites touch, diffuses light beautifully, and brings a nuanced sense of luxury into any room.

At Linwood, our velvets begin with artistry — hand-drawn motifs, watercolours and carefully balanced palettes crafted in our Hampshire studio. From graphic designs in Omega Prints II to the quiet sophistication of Omega IV, velvet offers endless possibilities for today’s homes.

With complimentary samples available across all ranges, you can explore freely and design with confidence. Here are the most inspiring ways to use velvet today.

Make a Statement: Bold Prints for Modern Living

Designers are increasingly turning to expressive pattern to bring individuality to modern homes, with bold printed velvets becoming a defining feature of the moment. Today’s decorating schemes embrace confident pattern, and velvet offers the perfect foundation: its sumptuous pile enriches colour and introduces a luxurious tactility that elevates even the most contemporary designs.

This pattern-led movement is also reaching more unexpected areas of the home. Printed velvets are appearing on banquette seating and kitchen island stools, adding softness and artistry to spaces traditionally defined by hard surfaces. A single statement door curtain in a multicoloured weave like Java can transform a room, while those preferring a lighter touch might start with a patterned cushion or a tailored velvet trim.

The New Pastels: Softness with Substance

Quiet, luminous pastels are returning in a more grown-up way, with velvet giving these gentle colours unexpected depth and sophistication. Far from being saccharine, pastel velvets bring a contemporary, luminous calm. Soft pinks, chalky corals, and whisper-light tones become more nuanced on a velvet ground.

Designers increasingly layer tonal textures – voiles, linens, bouclés – to create rooms that feel serene, graceful and gently cocooning. The effect is understated luxury: modern, tactile, and infinitely inviting.

Layered Opulence: Maximalism with Purpose

Thoughtful maximalism is back, and layered velvet patterns are shaping the movement with warmth, artistry and a collected feel. There is a restful rhythm in pattern layered upon pattern, particularly when velvet is involved. Its surface absorbs and reflects colour in a way that softens contrast and prevents visual noise.

An ottoman or footstool upholstered in a richly patterned velvet adds instant personality and is wonderfully forgiving in daily life. For a deeper decorative flourish, consider a small-scale print on a vintage nursing chair or even a velvet-covered lampshade. These pieces add character without overwhelming a space – a collected, curated feel.

A Confident Colour Story

Patterned velvet accent chairs are one of the season’s most defining trends, offering an effortless way to inject colour and pattern into any space. Whether placed in a hallway, bedroom or living room, they act as sculptural bursts of personality. The expressive designs of Omega Prints II – inspired by kilims, vintage textiles and hand-painted motifs – bring movement and artistry to a room, while the soft yet durable velvet ensures they’re as practical as they are striking.

Sofas That Invite Slow Living

One of the strongest trends in contemporary living spaces is the return of the velvet sofa – relaxed, generous and undeniably glamorous in a quiet, modern way. Upholstered in Tango Velvet, the look feels especially current. Its wonderfully soft handle and gentle sheen bring a welcoming depth, turning the sofa into a grounding focal point for the room.

The refreshed palette introduces a host of new, trend-led shades – from Dusty Pink to Burnt Toffee – sitting alongside beautifully balanced neutrals. Designed with modern living in mind, Tango combines indulgent tactility with ease, making bold colour a natural, confident choice for everyday homes.

Floral Velvets: Heritage Reimagined

A beautifully patterned floral curtain instantly recalls timeless decorating, yet on velvet it feels unmistakably modern. The gentle sheen of the pile brings depth and movement to every petal, giving classic motifs a renewed sense of character. Full-length floral velvet curtains feel especially luxurious, their weight and drape adding a tailored richness to the room.

To keep the look fresh, pair with a vivid lining – a flash of fuchsia, saffron or teal – so the curtain surprises both when drawn and in the light. Bold wall colours further lift the palette, allowing the florals to sing.

Restful Bedrooms with Velvet at the Heart

Velvet headboards in warm metallic tones are gaining momentum, with shades like Brass from Omega IV leading the charge. This palette brings a mellow radiance that softens the room while still delivering a statement. On a bed frame, the velvet feels instantly cocooning — a modern take on luxury that designers are embracing for serene, grounded bedroom schemes.

Beyond Soft Furnishings: Architectural Velvet

A simple velvet-upholstered screen can be transformative — a sculptural piece that adds height, softness and a gentle sense of theatre to a room. Whether used to frame a corner, create a quiet reading nook or soften architectural edges, it brings an instant feeling of craftsmanship and intimacy.

For those who love to experiment further, velvet also works beautifully in more architectural applications. Stretched over slender timber frames, it becomes a richly textured wall panel that delivers warmth, depth and subtle acoustic softness. Mixing plains and patterns in coordinating palettes creates a sophisticated, layered composition perfect for refined living spaces.

Everyday Luxury: Velvet in the Details

The beauty of velvet lies in its ability to make even the smallest detail feel considered. A velvet-piped edge on a linen cushion, a tonal border on a curtain, or a subtle tassel in a matching shade all bring a quiet sense of refinement.

Because velvet reflects light so delicately, these accents glow softly rather than shout – everyday luxury at its most effortless.

Explore Linwood’s World of Velvet

From bold artistic statements to the gentlest whisper of luxury, velvet is one of the most transformative materials in interior design. If you’re ready to explore the possibilities, our free sample service makes choosing simple, allowing you to test colour, pattern and texture within your home.

Discover the full collection – and begin designing a richer, more expressive interior – with our guide: How to Use Velvet in Your Home.