From classic upholstery velvets to decorative and fashion-weight velvets, our selection includes fabrics suitable for upholstery, drapery, cushions, and statement interior pieces. Whether you are sourcing velvet upholstery fabric for hospitality interiors or designer velvet fabric for creative projects, our collection offers a wide variety of textures, fibres, and finishes.
Velvet fabric is known for its soft pile, rich colour depth, and luxurious texture, making it a timeless choice for both interior design and decorative applications. At Top Fabric, our collections of designer velvet fabrics by the yard include a curated range of textiles sourced from mills around the world.
Velvet Fabric for Upholstery, Drapery & Interior Design
Classic velvet has been part of luxury interiors for centuries. Its dense pile catches the light and deepens color, which gives a sofa, headboard or drapery panel a richness that flat weaves can't match. This collection includes well over a hundred velvets: affordable plain velvets, cut and burnout designs, mohair, and high-performance velvets. You can compare style, fiber and price per yard in one place.
Common uses for velvet fabric include:
- Upholstery for sofas, sectionals, chairs and banquette seating
- Headboards and upholstered beds
- Restaurant, bar and hotel lounge seating
- Decorative pillows and cushions
- Window treatments and drapery panels
- Ottomans, benches and statement accent pieces
Interior designers often specify velvet upholstery fabric for hospitality projects, residential interiors and commercial spaces that need both durability and visual richness. Browse photos of finished projects shared by our customers.
Types of Velvet in This Collection
Velvet is defined by how the pile is made and finished, not just by its fiber. Each type behaves differently on furniture and windows, so knowing them makes your search faster.
Plain Velvet
A solid, even pile in a single color. Plain velvet is the most versatile choice for sofas, chairs and headboards, and it ranges from budget-friendly microfiber velvets to ultra-plush premium qualities.
Cut Velvet
Cut velvet has a pattern formed by areas of raised pile set against a flat woven ground. The contrast in texture gives geometric, damask and botanical designs real depth, which makes cut velvet a favorite for accent chairs, pillows and statement pieces.
Burnout Velvet
Burnout velvet, also called devoré, has part of its pile removed during finishing, so the pattern shows as velvet against a lighter or sheer background. It works best for drapery, pillows and decorative uses rather than heavy-use seating.
Mohair Velvet
Mohair velvet is made from the hair of the Angora goat. It is known for its resilience and its slightly crisp, textured hand, and it has long been a traditional choice for high-end upholstery.
Performance Velvet
Performance velvets are treated or engineered to resist stains, spills and wear, like the Nanotex-treated velvets in this collection. They are the practical choice for family rooms, homes with pets, and busy hospitality spaces.
Velvet Fiber Types: Cotton, Polyester, Rayon & Silk
Velvet can be made from a range of fibers. Each fiber changes how the fabric feels, wears and drapes, and how it needs to be cleaned.
Cotton Velvet
Cotton velvet has a soft, natural feel and an elegant matte finish. Pure cotton pile can show pressure marks more readily than synthetics, so for heavy-use seating many designers choose a cotton blend.
Polyester Velvet
Polyester velvet offers excellent durability, colorfastness and resistance to crushing. Most performance velvets are polyester-based, which makes this the most common choice for everyday sofas and hospitality seating.
Rayon Velvet
Rayon (viscose) velvet has a fluid drape and a subtle sheen. It is less resilient than polyester in high-traffic use, so it is best suited to drapery, decorative upholstery and fashion.
Silk Velvet
Silk velvet is prized for its exceptional softness and luminous finish. Because it is delicate, it is usually reserved for fashion, luxury accents and low-traffic pieces.
Choosing the Right Velvet Fabric for Your Project
Velvets vary widely in fiber, weight, pile construction and finish. Checking the following points before you order helps ensure the fabric suits both the piece and the way it will be used.
Durability and Double Rubs
Upholstery durability is measured with an abrasion test. In the US this is usually the Wyzenbeek test, reported in "double rubs"; in Europe it is usually the Martindale test, reported in "cycles." The two methods are different and their numbers can't be converted directly. A common guideline for Wyzenbeek ratings:
- Under 15,000 double rubs: decorative use such as pillows, drapery and occasional chairs
- 15,000–30,000 double rubs: everyday residential upholstery
- 30,000–50,000 double rubs: heavy residential use, such as a family-room sofa
- 50,000+ double rubs: commercial and hospitality seating
Fabric Weight
Heavier velvets usually perform best on furniture, because they hold their shape over cushions and frames. Lighter velvets drape more freely and are better suited to curtains, apparel and decorative accents.
Pile, Nap Direction and Shading
Velvet is a pile fabric: its fibers stand upright on the surface. The direction of the pile changes how the fabric reflects light, so the same velvet can look lighter or darker from different angles. This shading is a natural feature of velvet, not a defect. For a consistent look, all pieces on one item should be cut with the pile running the same direction. Allow extra yardage for this.
Cleaning Codes
Every upholstery fabric has a cleaning code that tells you, or your cleaner, what is safe to use:
- W: water-based cleaners
- S: solvent-based (dry-cleaning) products only, with no water
- W/S: either water-based or solvent-based cleaners
- X: vacuum or light brushing only
Velvet for Homes with Pets and Children
Velvet has no loose loops on its surface, so it is less likely to snag on claws than bouclé or loosely woven textures. For homes with pets or young children, choose a tightly woven polyester or performance velvet with a high double-rub rating. Pet hair does cling to the pile, but it lifts off easily with a lint roller or an upholstery vacuum attachment.
Flammability for Commercial Projects
Hotels, restaurants and other public spaces often have to meet flammability standards such as California TB 117-2013, NFPA 260 or UFAC requirements. The requirements depend on your project and local codes. If your specification calls for a particular standard, contact us before ordering and we'll confirm which fabrics meet it.
Still unsure which velvet is right for your business or design? Our team can give you expert advice and guidance.
Phone: +1 (310) 818-2863
Email: info@topfabric.com
Showroom: 13812 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90061 ([[FILL: one confirmed set of showroom hours]])
How Much Velvet Fabric Do You Need?
These are approximate yardages for plain velvet 54" wide. Pattern repeats, cushion styles and design details will change the final amount, so confirm with your upholsterer before you order.
- Dining chair seat: about 0.5–1 yard
- Side chair (seat and back): about 1.5–2 yards
- Armchair or club chair: about 5–7 yards
- Queen headboard: about 2–3 yards
- Loveseat: about 10–12 yards
- Three-seat sofa: about 14–18 yards
Add about 10% for velvet's nap direction. For patterned or cut velvet you also need extra for pattern matching; the amount depends on the repeat size shown on the product page. Order your full quantity at the same time so every yard comes from the same dye lot.
Velvet Fabric by the Yard for Design Projects
Every fabric in this collection is sold as velvet fabric by the yard, so designers and makers can buy exactly the amount their project needs. Ordering velvet by the yard is ideal for:
- Upholstery and reupholstery projects
- Interior design installations
- Hospitality and hotel interiors
- Film, theater and television costume departments
- Fashion and apparel design
Why Choose Top Fabric for Velvet Fabrics
Top Fabric is a Los Angeles fabric house founded in 2016 by a team with more than two decades in the textile industry. Our velvets are sourced from mills in [[FILL: countries of origin, e.g. "Belgium, Turkey and Indonesia" — only list countries you can confirm]] and selected for interior designers, hospitality professionals and creative studios working on residential and commercial projects.
Beyond our own store, we have completed more than 5,000 orders on Etsy, with an average rating of 4.9 stars from over 700 reviews. We offer global shipping and a showroom in Los Angeles. Samples are available for every velvet, so you can check color, hand and pile in person, since screens and dye lots vary. Our team can also help with fabric selection, sourcing and larger commercial orders.
Is velvet a good choice for a sofa I use every day?
Yes, as long as you choose an upholstery-grade velvet. For daily use, look for a polyester or performance velvet rated at 30,000 double rubs or more. Delicate silk and rayon velvets are better kept for accents and low-traffic pieces.
Is velvet good for homes with cats and dogs?
Tightly woven velvet is often a better choice than looped or textured weaves, because it has no loops for claws to catch. A performance velvet adds stain resistance, and pet hair can be removed with a lint roller or a vacuum attachment.
What is performance velvet?
Performance velvet is velvet engineered or treated to resist stains, spills and wear, usually built on a durable polyester base. It looks and feels like traditional velvet but is easier to live with in busy homes and hospitality spaces.
Can I use velvet for hotel or restaurant seating?
Yes. Choose a velvet with a commercial abrasion rating (typically 50,000+ double rubs) and confirm that it meets the flammability standard your project requires. Contact our team and we'll help you match a fabric to your specification.
Luxury Velvet Upholstery Fabric by the Yard FAQs
Get Inspired
Click on the fabric to see its information.
Special Sale
Discover this month’s specially priced fabric collection
-
New Products