Which fabric is better, chenille or velor for upholstered furniture?

When it comes to selecting fabric for upholstered furniture, chenille and velor are two common choices. These materials are popular for comfortable living areas because of their softness and opulent appearance. But because they are all different, one might be a better fit for your house than the other.

Chenille is a popular option for high-traffic areas and families due to its durability and slightly textured surface. In addition to being comfortable, its plush texture and dense weave make it resilient to normal wear and tear. Furthermore, the range of colors and patterns in chenille makes it easy to coordinate with various interior design styles.

Conversely, velor gives any space a sense of refinement with its velvety, smooth finish. It feels opulent to the touch and has a gentle, welcoming texture. Although it might need a little more attention to keep its immaculate appearance over time, veneer is perfect for creating a more sophisticated look.

You can ensure that your furniture not only looks great but also fits your lifestyle by making an informed decision by being aware of the benefits and drawbacks of each fabric. We’ll go over the main distinctions between chenille and velor in this post so you can pick the fabric that best suits your requirements.

Characteristic Chenille Velor
Texture Soft and fuzzy Velvety and smooth
Durability Highly durable Moderately durable
Maintenance Easy to clean Requires gentle care
Comfort Warm and cozy Luxurious feel
Appearance Matte finish Shiny surface
Cost Generally affordable Can be more expensive

5 differences between chenille and velor for a sofa

Fabrics used in contemporary furniture frequently resemble one another. Technology advancements have made it possible to create materials with beautiful textures and high wear resistance. Even so, their differences are still present, albeit less so than they were twenty or thirty years ago. And what distinguishes velor from chenille?

  • shorter pile;
  • denser, thicker;
  • visible woven base, interweaving of threads;
  • made of chenille threads;
  • costs less.

Variations in the picture:

What is velor?

Called "velor" is concealable by a range of textiles. Velvet or velvety is what the French word "velours" signifies. It is thought to have originated from the Latin word "villosus," which means "shaggy." In actuality, velour refers to any substance having a velvety pile surface, including specially tanned leather. First seen in the East was velour. It was made of silk and was used to sew dresses. For furniture, a particular velour that is particularly abrasion-resistant is made. It has synthetic fibers in it, which generally last longer and hold color better than natural fibers.

What is chenille?

About 200 years ago is when chenille fabric first appeared, making it relatively new. Chenille thread was the first yarn to be created. When examined more closely, it resembles a caterpillar—thick, shaggy, and with a thin core of thread. Picture:

The word "chenille" means "caterpillar" when translated from French. It is thought that the yarn was delivered for the first time to the Americans. A short fluffy pile between two twisted threads was successfully fixed by them. The French also became involved in the issue. They created a delicate, yet incredibly durable, fabric with intricate weaving on jacquard machines.

Senill varies in texture and drawings depending on the technology and raw materials used; it can be soft or harsh, thin and dense. A fabric that resembles velor and has a fairly long iridescent pile can be included.

The image of Velor Shenill:

Comparison of characteristics

You cannot compare the qualities of the materials to determine which is better for the sofa: velor or Shenill. Keep in mind that different fabrics have different qualities. Italian and Turkish henill and velor are regarded as superior to those made by Chinese producers. Make sure you read the information in the product passport, quality certificate, and catalog before making a purchase. Overall fabric comparison in the table:

Chenille fabric Velour fabric
Natural or synthetic? usually synthetics (acrylic, polyester), sometimes a mixture with cotton, viscose usually synthetics (100% polyester), a mixture of polyester and cotton, sometimes natural, leather
How it feels? shaggy, soft, dense, with noticeable weave very soft, velvety, warm, with iridescent pile
Structure woven material with single-color, cross, diamond-shaped weave;

Avoid being wet;

Using a gentle brush to clean in the pile’s direction;

Chemicals and solvents are not allowed;

Using specific care products to remove stains is advised;

When deciding between velor and chenille for upholstered furniture, it’s critical to take both style and functionality into account. Chenille is a fantastic material for high-traffic areas because it is durable and has a soft, textured feel. Conversely, varietate offers an opulent, velvet-like appearance, but it might need more frequent upkeep. The ideal choice will rely on your lifestyle as well as the long-term appearance and feel of your furniture.

Pros and cons of materials

There are several benefits and drawbacks to materials, some of which are noteworthy and some of which are not. Often, choosing between furniture velour and chenille is best achieved by carefully weighing the benefits and drawbacks.

Pay heed to the table:

Chenille for a sofa Velor for a sofa
Pros Attractive appearance Luxurious iridescent color
A large selection of colors, textures Can be very wear-resistant
Pleasant to the touch, soft Soft, cozy
Dense, wear-resistant Can have vandal-proof properties
Easy to work with – easy to cut, sew, drape, does not crumble Symbolizes wealth, fits perfectly into the interior in the Baroque, Rococo and other similar styles
Chenille with cotton or viscose in the composition allows air to pass through, does not electrify, hypoallergenic, comfortable Hypo-ergenic
Acceptable cost
Cons It is not advisable to wet and wash Difficult to care for (if there is no special coating)
Puffs may appear (rarely) Attracts dust and animal hair with a completely synthetic composition
High cost
Leaves marks if you sit or run your hand over it, you need to correct the direction of the pile so that the sofa looks aesthetically pleasing

Which is better according to reviews?

Velour is less frequently chosen for sofas than chenille. Still, it’s worthwhile to think about both choices. Reviews claim that materials used in contemporary designs are equally strong and resistant to wear.

  • Ekaterina: “We bought chenille for re-upholstering a sofa. I do not regret my choice. Very good, dense fabric. Not as soft as I imagined, but it does not stretch or shrink. Easy to wash, does not fade and does not leave stains. We covered the sofa, and the dog immediately jumped on it. We washed away the marks, nothing was left”.
  • Tatiana: “Chenille is a very high-quality material. Velor looks too pretentious, and is expensive. I ordered chenille in the Lounge 14 color scheme. Very beautiful color, gray with lilac tints. In real life, it looks amazing on the sofa. No problems with care, although two cats and a dog live at home. Wool is very easy to remove. I cleaned some spots with a slightly damp cloth with a cloth and detergent. And you can completely wash the sofa with a washing vacuum cleaner".
  • Alexandra: “For me, velour is the most spectacular furniture fabric! It fully justifies its cost. There are some with anti-vandal properties against animal claws. I chose this one for re-upholstery. The color is beige, complex, with a gray tint, changes depending on the lighting. It is easy to work with, does not crumble, does not stretch. It seems thin, but this does not mean anything. The wear resistance is indicated as 35,000 cycles”.
  • Lena: “My daughter wanted a velour sofa. I was categorically against it, but my husband supported her. At first, everything was great. After about six months, I noticed that in some places the pile seemed to stick together. It is impossible to clean and wash it. Plus, you need to vacuum it often, the dust sticks very strongly. Perhaps the material was of poor quality, I don’t know. But if I had a choice, I would take the mat. The most practical and not easily soiled material".
  • Katya: "Our sofa is covered with something similar to velour, but the pile is very short. Microvelour, it seems. Despite the fact that it is light gray, there are no problems with care. I easily wiped off beets, red wine and foundation with wet wipes. Sometimes it seems that it has been wiped off in “familiar places”, but it turns out to be dirt that comes off very easily. 100% satisfied”.

When selecting between velor and chenille for upholstered furniture, it’s critical to take into account the distinctive characteristics of each material. Chenille is a great option for high-traffic areas and households with kids or pets because of its reputation for durability and soft, plush texture. Its somewhat thicker weave gives any space an extra layer of coziness.

On the other hand, Velor’s smooth and velvety finish gives it an opulent and refined appearance. It beautifully reflects light, giving the color of the furniture depth and richness. Velor, on the other hand, can be more delicate and needs more cautious upkeep to keep it looking flawless.

The decision between chenille and velor ultimately comes down to personal taste in style and way of life. Chenille could be a better choice if you’re looking for something comfortable but still sturdy. For furniture that you want to look more upscale and fashionable, velor might be the perfect fabric.

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Maria Vlasova

Fabric researcher and collector. My passion is finding rare and unique materials that can inspire me to create something special. I travel a lot to find new fabrics and learn about the traditions of their production. On this site I share my discoveries and talk about how to choose and use fabrics in different areas of life.

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