Velvet Cushions

The Manchester Collection velvet cushion range covers a broad palette, including aqua, blush, charcoal, chocolate, forest green, ivory, linen, mocha, navy, orange, silver, and soft pink, among others. Velvet's pile construction makes each colour appear deeper and richer than the same colour in a flat-weave fabric, which is part of the appeal. The soft pink velvet square cushion gives a good sense of how texture and colour interact.

A velvet cushion is a complete, filled product, the insert is included and ready to display. A velvet cushion cover is the outer fabric case only, designed to be slipped over an existing insert you already own. In the Manchester Collection range, velvet cushions are sold as filled cushions in both square and oblong formats. The velvet oblong cushion in linen is an example of a complete, insert-included product.

Velvet cushions work best as part of a layered arrangement rather than used alone. In a bedroom, pair velvet square cushions at the back with a contrasting oblong velvet cushion in front. On a sofa, mix velvet with textured alternatives like boucle or beaded cushions to add visual variety without clashing. Odd numbers, three or five cushions, tend to look more natural than even arrangements. Our bedroom cushion guide covers layering techniques in more detail.

Velvet cushions are primarily decorative rather than functional, so they suit any season visually. However, the pile texture feels plush and warm to the touch, which leads many people to use velvet cushions in autumn and winter and swap to lighter cotton or linen options in summer. There is no rule against year-round use, it comes down to personal preference and the look you want. Our guide to unique bedding fabrics covers how different fabrics suit different conditions.

This is a natural characteristic of velvet, not a defect. Velvet's pile, the small upright fibres that create its softness, reflects light differently depending on the direction it's lying. Stroking the pile one way produces a lighter appearance; in the other direction it appears darker and richer. This directional shading is part of what gives velvet its distinctive, shifting visual quality. It's most noticeable in solid-coloured velvets and tends to settle with regular use.

Spot-clean where possible - a damp cloth with mild detergent dabbed gently works for small marks. If machine washing, use a cool delicate cycle, turn inside-out, and avoid high-speed spin. Tumble dry on low or air-dry flat. Never iron velvet directly, steam from a distance will lift the pile if it's been flattened. Brush gently with a soft-bristled brush once dry to restore the texture. Our bedding wash guide covers general fabric care principles.