Velvet Throws

A pile that catches the light

Velvet is woven with a short, dense pile of upright fibres, and that pile is what gives it its sheen. As the light moves across a velvet throw the colour deepens in one direction and lightens in the other, so a single colour reads as several. It is a fabric that looks rich without needing a pattern at all. Draped over a sofa or a bed, a velvet throw gives a room a sense of depth and softness that a flat weave cannot match, and it feels smooth and cool when you first touch it. The same pile makes velvet warm to hold and pleasantly heavy on the lap, which is why it has such a long history in upholstery.

Velvet with faux fur on the reverse

More than half of our velvet throws have faux fur on the other side, so you can choose which face to show. Turn the velvet to the room for a sleek, polished look, or the faux fur for a deeper, cosier texture on a cold evening. The two faces together also give the throw a pleasing weight, so it drapes well over the back of a chair. The Material filter separates these throws from the plain velvets if you know which you prefer. It is a throw that works in two moods, crisp in the day and cosy at night, and the faux fur side is the one to turn outwards on the coldest evenings.

Cotton velvet and polyester velvet

Most of our velvet throws are polyester velvet, which holds a bright, even sheen and a strong colour. Some are cotton velvet, with a softer, more matt finish and the dry handle of a natural fibre. Both have the same short, upright pile, so the choice comes down to the sheen you like and the feel you want against your skin. The composition of each throw is on its product page. If you have other velvet in the room, such as cushions or an armchair, matching the sheen helps the pieces sit together.

Velvet and boucle

A few of our velvet throws are paired with boucle, a looped yarn with a nubbly, curly surface. The contrast between the smooth velvet and the textured boucle makes these throws particularly interesting to touch, and they suit a room that already has plenty of plain surfaces, where the texture has room to show. They work well in a scheme of soft neutrals, where texture matters more than colour. Boucle also brings a gentle, handmade feel to a throw.

Greens, browns and softer shades

Green is the colour we offer most often, and velvet shows it at its richest, from sage to a deep forest shade. Brown brings warmth and pairs well with leather and dark wood. Natural and beige velvets are gentler, and they bring the sheen of velvet into a pale room without a strong colour. The Colour filter shows every shade side by side, so you can compare them before choosing. A deep shade looks especially good in lamplight, when the pile glows along the folds, and beige is the gentlest choice, letting the texture lead.

Plain velvet throws

Some of our velvet throws are a single plain colour, with nothing on the reverse to distract from the pile. A plain velvet throw is the easiest to style: it sits well with patterned cushions and changes the mood of a room simply by the colour you choose. Layer two plain throws in neighbouring shades for a richer look on a bed. It is also the simplest way to test velvet in a room before choosing more. Because it has no pattern, a plain velvet throw moves easily between the sofa, the bed and an armchair.

Keeping velvet looking its best

Velvet looks its best when the pile lies in one direction. Brush it gently with a soft brush if it becomes marked, and fold it loosely rather than tightly for storage. Always follow the care label on the product page, because the right method depends on the fibre and on any faux fur backing. Keep a deep colour out of strong sunlight for long periods, which can fade it over time.