Velvet Carpet Pros And Cons: Luxury Or Hassle? [Velvet Carpet Truth Revealed]

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Taher Sabahi

Hey there, carpet enthusiasts!

Today I’ll share my thoughts velvet carpet. So, what is a velvet carpet, actually?

So, basically a velvet carpet is a luxury type of carpet with super plush, short pile that feels amazingly soft and smooth- kind of like those comfy red chair I noticed in Graham Norton show!

So, fancy!🤩 

But hold on a second! Before you rip out your old floors and replace them all with velvety goodness, there are a few things to consider.🤔

Velvet Carpet Pros And Cons

So, what are the velvet carpet pros and cons? Check this out-

Pros Cons
Soft yet durableIndent easy from heavy furniture
Cost- effectiveProne to water
Reflects natural lightShows footprints and vacuum marks
Reduces noiseSlippery on stairs
Easy to maintainNot for high traffic areas

So, will velvet carpet become your elegant home decor or a potential source of frustration?

Buckle up and let’s find out!

Key Points

  • Velvet carpet can be a budget-friendly flooring material.
  • Velvet carpet is not ideal for certain areas.
  • You might think twice before using velvet carpets on stairs.

Velvet Carpet Pros And Cons

Like every other type of carpet, velvet carpet has its pros and cons. One of the main velvet carpet pros and cons is velvet carpet brings a touch of sophisticated look with its luxurious softness, but it easily stains and shows footprints.

Velvet Carpet

Let me break down velvet carpet for you so you can decide if it’s the right choice for your home-

Pros of Velvet carpet

Velvet carpet isn’t just about a rich look- it will offer you a wide range of benefits beyond the initial luxurious feel. Let me share with you some of the key benefits you might not have considered-

1. Soft yet durable

2. Cost-effective than other luxury carpets

3. Interacts with light

4. Works as a sound barrier

5. Easy Maintenance

Pros of Velvet carpet

Soft Yet Durable

High-quality velvet carpets can feel as soft underfoot as walking on a cloud. But don’t be fooled by how plush it feels underfoot. Believe it or not, velvet carpets can be very durable, thanks to their dense pile construction.

Velvet carpet Soft Yet Durable

Think of it this way- you get the luxurious feel of a plush carpet without sacrificing on long-lasting performance. Velvet carpets can stay beautiful for a good 10-12 years with regular maintenance. 

​​So, if you’re looking for a carpet that combines ultimate comfort with surprising durability, velvet carpet might be the perfect choice for your home!

Cost Effective Than Other Luxury Carpets

“Velvet carpets cost around $0.65- $8 per sqft where wool carpets cost around $3-$21 per sqft for the carpet materials only ” says Sarah Noel, a home improvement specialist.

Let’s face it, plush carpets feel amazing underfoot, but they can also be a bit pricey, especially when you consider luxurious options like wool. Here’s where velvet carpet comes in!

Cost Effective Than Other Luxury Carpets

The average velvet carpet price can range from $1800-$3200! Wool carpet average price can range $2000-$4000!  That’s “Ouch, that stings my wallet” to “holy smokes, that’s more than my first car!”

Here’s an average cost list of wool carpets from Fixr

average cost list of wool carpets
Screenshot

The most budget-friendly option is acrylic velvet carpet, roughly $6.25 per square foot with carpet installation.

You can get modern velvet carpets made from different types of carpet material, for instance, silky triexta velvet carpets for around $9/sqft with installation. I think that’s a decent price(without breaking the bank) for serious softness.

If you’re feeling like royalty, get ready to spend some serious cash. Hand-woven wool velvet carpet with installation can cost a whopping $28 per square foot!

Adam Graham broke the velvet carpet price from basic to best quality-

velvet carpet price from basic to best quality

Cost to Install Velvet Carpet.

Interacting With Light

Velvet carpet interacts with natural light due to its glossy appearance. Depending on where you stand and how the light hits the carpet, the color can appear shiny and richer.

Interacting With Light

It creates an eye-catching effect and a more dynamic look to your space.

That’s exactly what Bellbridge points out-

Velvet carpet interacts with natural light due to its glossy appearance

Velvet & Cut Piles – Bellbridge Carpets

The amount of light reflection in velvet carpets depends on a variety of colors. For instance, darker-colored (e.g. black, dark blue) velvet carpets soak up more light and reflect less.

Lighter-colored (e.g. Beige, taupe, sand) velvet carpets can reflect a bit more and make the room look bigger and brighter.

Works As A Sound Barrier

Velvet carpet, with its dense pile, can help absorb sound. Tapi carpets mentioned that,

“A thick carpet can decrease the noise of footsteps by a significant 25 to 34 dB.”

That means peace and quiet ambiance for you and your downstairs neigbour! Velvet carpet makes one of the best candidates for that.

Works As A Sound Barrier

The thick, soft fibers of velvet carpet act like a sound sponge. They soak up noise and echoes bouncing around the room. It’s perfect a good night’s sleep in bedrooms or entertainment rooms where you want to relax without distractions. Direct Fabrics also mentioned that-

velvet carpet act like a sound sponge

Which Fabric Works Best for Soundproofing Your Venture?

Easy Maintenace

You can easily maintain velvet carpet with regular vacuuming. Well, you might think that keeping this plush carpet clean might be a hassle. But the truth is- velvet carpets are pretty easy to care for! Velvet carpet’s short fibers make cleaning a breeze.

To avoid vacuum marks and damaging the delicate fibers, use any soft bristle and nozzle attachment. That’s all!

Easy Maintenace

If you ever spill something on your velvet carpet, don’t panic! Just grab a clean cloth and blot up the spill as quickly as possible. Don’t rub, because that can make it worse.

Even though velvet carpets are easy to care for, getting them professionally cleaned every 12-18 months can be a good idea to keep them looking fresh and new. This is like giving your carpet a spa day!

Cons of Velvet carpet

There are also some practical reasons why you might not consider velvet carpets. Take a closer look a the cons too-

1. Indentations from heavy furniture

2. Prone to water stains

3. Shows footprints and vacuum marks

4. Increased risks of slips on stairs

5. Not ideal for high-traffic areas

Cons of Velvet carpet

Indentations From Heavy Furniture

Heavy furniture can leave a temporary to permanent dent on your velvet carpet. 

Indentations From Heavy Furniture

The dense pile compress under the pressure and weight of the heavy furniture. This leaves a depression on velvet carpet. You can check this video to remove temporary dents from velvet carpet-

Watch This Video: How to fix flat carpet dents – BEST LIFE HACK

If you are unable to move your furniture occasionally or use a coaster under the furniture, the dents can become permanent.

So, it you have a lot of heavy furniture with a permanent stay, velvet might not be an ideal choice.

Prone To Water Stains

Velvet carpet doesn’t have water-resistance quality. “Velvet’s dense pile absorbs liquids quickly, making it prone to water stains.” Says Rebecca Green.

That’s right. Imagine velvet carpet is like a million tiny sponges all packed together. When water spills on velvet carpet, the water molecules rush into the spaces between the carpet fibers and get trapped inside those little sponges. This is why velvet carpets absorb water so quickly.

The problem is, once the water is trapped inside, it can be hard to get out. If you don’t clean it up quickly, the water can leave a stain behind.

So, if you have kids or clumsy grown-ups in the house, cleaning velvet carpet instantly and more frequently can rather be a hassle.

Shows Footprints And Vacuum Marks

Velvet’s smooth surface can show footprints and vacuum marks more easily than other types of carpets.

It’s a balancing act- you want to keep the carpet clean, but using the wrong vacuum attachment can leave unwanted marks.

Shows Footprints And Vacuum Marks

Carpet Wall To Wall explains the footprints dilemma-

“Footprints on velvet carpet happen because the fibers bend under your weight. Since the fibers are so soft and dense, your footsteps press them down and creates a lighter or darker shade where you walked,” 

The good news is these marks usually disappear after a while, as the fibers bounce back up. But sometimes, especially on deeper velvet carpets, the marks might take a little longer to vanish completely(few minutes or even days).

Increased Risks Of Slips On Stairs

The soft fibers of velvet can sometimes feel a little slippery, especially when compared to other carpet textures. Because velvet has smooth, plush pile and it offers minimal traction.

Increased Risks Of Slips On Stairs

This can be a bigger concern for people who might have trouble keeping their balance, like little kids who are always zooming around, older people who might need a steadier footing, or anyone walking in socks (those can be especially slippery on velvet!).

That makes velvet carpet not suitable for stairs.

Natasha Brinsmead  also agrees with me-

velvet carpet not suitable for stairs

Not Ideal For High Traffic Areas

Instead of being durable, low-quality velvet carpet are not ideal for areas with constant foot traffic. The constant wear and tear can cause the fibers to flatten and show shading over time. 

Not Ideal For High Traffic Areas

So, if you have a busy hallway or living room with lots of foot traffic, velvet might not be the best choice. You might end up with a carpet that looks worn and uneven instead of the luxurious look you were hoping for.

Note: If you want to identify different types of carpet material, check out this article- “How to tell carpet material.

Poll: 

So, Is velvet carpet your thing or not? Let me know your vibe here-

A)My feet are already in love with this soft carpet

B)It’s a win-win for me: edgy look in a budget!

C)Not sure yet

D) It’s not my busy household

E)Nah, I’m gonna pass.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are velvet carpets good?

Yes, velvet carpets are good for adding a touch of luxury and an edgy look to your home. They are a popular choice for plushy, soft, and comfortable carpet types. But they show vacuum marks and footprints and can indent from heavy furniture.

What type of carpet is velvet?

A velvet carpet is a dense, short, and cut-pile carpet. The fibers of a quality velvet carpet are roughly the same length which creates a smooth and even surface. Often made from synthetic materials, velvet carpets are available in a wide variety of colors and styles.

Does velvet carpet require any special care or treatment?

Yes, velvet carpet requires special care. You need to use a soft nozzle or bristle with regular vacuuming to prevent dirt build-up and keep it new. Generally, velvet carpet is low-maintenance due to short fibers, but it can benefit from instant spill cleaning and professional cleaning in 12-18 months.

Is velvet carpet durable and long-lasting?

Yes, velvet is quite durable and long-lasting. Velvet carpet’s dense pile can handle heavy foot traffic. But using heavy furniture on your velvet carpet can leave a dent and it can flatten over time.

Now, Share Your Thoughts!

So, now you the glimpse of velvet carpet pros and cons.

If you prioritize luxurious comfort and can maintain proper care (like quick stain removal and regular vacuuming), velvet carpet could be a dream come true.

But if you have a busy household or can’t avoid using heavy furniture, you might want to explore other carpet materials.

Ultimately the decision is yours!

About the author

Writen By

Taher Sabahi

Taher Sabahi is a certified flooring consultant with over 15 years of industry experience. He holds a master’s degree in Interior Design from the New York School of Interior Design. The Taher Sabahi has a deep passion for helping clients find the perfect floor coverings for their spaces.

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