The short version
| Fabric | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Plush Velvet | Luxury feel, rich colour depth | Shows pressure marks; needs occasional brushing |
| Crush Velvet | Sheen and drama; hides marks well | Strong look — not for every room |
| Chenille | Everyday family use, warmth | Can attract pet hair |
| Jumbo Cord | Texture, casual rooms, durability | Ridges trap crumbs — vacuum along the grain |
| Naple | Neutral, hard-wearing woven | Less plush underhand than velvet |
| Kensington | Premium weave, tight finish | Higher price point |
Plush velvet
The softest option and the one most people reach for when they want the sofa to be the focal point of the room. Colour reads deeper in velvet than any other fabric because the pile catches light differently depending on the angle.
The trade-off is pressure marking — sit in the same spot and the pile flattens. This isn't damage and brushes out, but if a permanently pristine look matters to you, a woven fabric will suit you better.
Crush velvet
Velvet with a deliberately irregular pile, giving a rippled sheen. Because the surface is already varied, it hides marks and everyday use far better than plain velvet — which makes it a surprisingly practical choice despite looking the most dramatic.
Chenille
Our most popular family fabric. Chenille is woven from yarn with short piles bound into it, which gives it a soft, slightly fuzzy hand and real warmth. It wears well, resists pilling, and is forgiving with daily use.
If you have long-haired pets, expect to vacuum more often — the texture holds hair more than a flat weave does.
Jumbo cord
Wide, chunky ribs with a casual, tactile look. Very hard-wearing and good in rooms that take a lot of traffic. The one maintenance note: crumbs settle into the channels, so vacuum along the grain rather than across it.
Naple and Kensington
Both are flat woven fabrics rather than piled. Naple is our workhorse neutral — tight, durable, and unfussy. Kensington is a step up in quality of weave, with a denser finish that holds its shape over years of use.
Neither will mark or flatten the way velvet does, which makes them the sensible pick for a sofa that has to look consistent in a busy household.
Cleaning any of them
- Blot spills immediately — never rub, which pushes liquid into the foam
- Vacuum with a brush attachment weekly; it removes grit that would otherwise cut the fibres
- Test any cleaning product on a hidden section first
- Rotate and plump cushions weekly so they wear evenly
- Keep the sofa out of direct sunlight where possible — UV fades every fabric eventually
For step-by-step help with spills, flattened pile and pet hair, see our guide on how to clean a velvet sofa.
Which should you choose?
- Young children: Chenille or Naple — forgiving and easy to clean
- Pets: Naple or Kensington — flat weaves release hair more easily
- Statement room: Plush or Crush Velvet
- Heavy daily use: Jumbo Cord or Kensington
- Rental or short-term: Naple — the best value that still wears well