The best velvet sofas for elegant lounging

• Reasons to buy: Contemporary aesthetic, doubles as sofa bed
• Sizes: 2-seater (single sleeper)
• Colours: Navy blue

Velvet isn’t always the most forgiving material, so it’s often easier to tell apart a cheap velvet sofa from an expensive one. Arguably, the best case for cutting costs is when you’re looking for a velvet sofa that doubles as a bed in your spare room or study. That being said, Swoon’s Wright sofa bed comes with strong main character energy if you’re working with smaller spaces and could use the extra sleeper. The navy blue hue sits between timeless and vibrant and is a natural pairing for this sofa’s gleaming gold-toned legs. The ridged seat gives it a more contemporary feel and, for many people will constitute a pleasurable texture to sleep on. It’s worth noting, though, that dozing directly on velvet can be a cause for a clammy night, especially in the summer months, so investing in a good mattress topper for when you’re sleeping guests is a must.

• Reasons to buy: Modernist vibes, memory foam support
• Sizes: 3-seater
• Colours: Rust is our favourite of the 6 available

Living proof that what we’ve been saying about velvet sofas not having to belong in Victorian townhouses is true, Heals Isola sofa looks straight out of a Pierre Koenig grand design in the Hollywood hills. Designed by up-and-coming London designer Lucy Kurrein, the contemporary look is given by its unique curvature, which comes into its own when situated in the middle of a room, rather than pushed up against a wall. There’s also the option to buy it with a corresponding ottoman that perfectly echoes the curves of the sofa, while also making it more appealing for lounging. Beyond its eye-catching design, the Isola sofa boasts comfort that stands up to plumper-looking velvet sofas by employing luxurious memory foam for total support and comfort.

• Reasons to buy: Compact, plush foam seats, vintage style
• Sizes: From 2.5-seater
• Colours: 17 finishes available. We like golden spice

After a comfy, compact sofa that's capable of squeezing in up to three people? Enter this offering from The Lounge Co. complete with 17 sumptuous colour options, and plush foam seats for a luxurious sitting experience. With a bold yet considered style, it should blend into most decors with ease, though a well-placed cushion or two wouldn't go a miss if you want to make it pop even more.

• Reasons to buy: Mid-century style, quilted detailing, rear upholstery
• Sizes: From 2 to 3.5-seater
• Colours: 3 finishes available. We like beige

Fans of the mid-century aesthetic will love the delightful Zane sofa, thanks to its classic design, enhances by a gorgeous quilted upholstery. Its slender legs add to its appeal, while providing ample space for vacuuming underneath (a bonus for neat freaks). Filled with spongy foam for a comfortable sit, its upholstered rear makes it suitable for placement in the middle of a room, letting it act as a zoning barrier in open plan spaces.

• Reasons to buy: Flexible functionality, customisation options, removable feet
• Sizes: 3-seater (double sleeper)
• Colours: 119 finishes available. We like duck egg

Available in a choice of 119 fabrics, with three seat fillings and four feet styles, this ultra-customisable sofa bed from M&S can be made to fit any room you care to pop it in. With a double mattress for guests and a handy ottoman-like storage compartment for bedding, it blends form and function with expert ease. As long as your guests don't mind getting snuggly (the mattress isn't huge), then this could be the perfect spare bed for compact spaces.

• Reasons to buy: Ultra-plump, particularly hardwearing, protected for five years
• Sizes: Small to extra large
• Colours: 42 available, our pick is grass clippings green

With styles that span modular chaise longues to classic chesterfields, the beauty of Loaf’s vast sofa selection comes in the customisation. Our pick, The Crumpet, synergises perfectly with the elegance of velvet by offering exceptionally plump seat cushions, bulbous arms, and a selection of large scatter cushions to sink into at the back. It’s available in four sizes, from small (160cm long) to extra large (252cm) and among a grand total of 135 fabrics you can buy it in, 42 come in its “clever” spill-resistant velvet.

The Italian-sourced fabric is especially durable and easy to upkeep, and, in our humble opinion, comes into its own in a vivid green hue like “grass clippings”. Not convinced it can withstand the rigours of your mucky pup? Loaf’s Castelan Protection provides cover for five years against accidental damage. Added extras include the option to raise the legs and add a corresponding footstool, while advanced website tools mean you can get a good grasp on what you need without necessarily having to visit a showroom.

• Reasons to buy: Modern take on a classic, broad size options, 15-year guarantee
• Sizes: Armchair to grand chaise 4-seater
• Colours: 22 available, harriet red being our pick

When buying a chesterfield-style velvet sofa you can either lean into its period charm with a jewel tone or completely subvert the look in something bright and bold. John Lewis offers plenty of opportunities to do just that with its colour options, of which lurid harriet red could be just the thing for a minimalist room or one plastered in modern art. John Lewis is known for its reliability and doesn’t disappoint with large furniture investments like sofas. The trusty retailer offers a 15-year frame guarantee and rigorous quality tests on its fabrics to ensure they exceed the industry standard for domestic wear.

• Reasons to buy: Elegant appearance, works in various interior aesthetics, convenient wheeled legs
• Sizes: 3-seater
• Colours: Sapphire blue

Much like in fashion, where you can often distinguish an item’s value via subtleties in its colour tones, Oka’s Coleridge sofa gets across an instant sense of luxury thanks to the richness of its sapphire navy blue hue. Due to the lustre of the fabric, which is instantly apparent from the moment you clock it in a room, this is the kind of sofa you want to stroke. The Coleridge takes on a classic, versatile look with a high back and plump seat cushions, easily factored into a room of eclectic period artefacts, but just as quickly made modern with the addition of some well-placed geometric cushions. Speaking of versatility, wheeled legs mean it’s easily moved around, a plus for anyone who likes to regularly experiment with room layout.

• Reasons to buy: Modular versatility, easy lounging, different textures, quick delivery
• Sizes: 3-seater
• Colours: 21 available, bone being our favourite

Swyft’s modular 03 sofa is something of a furniture icon thanks to a double-whammy of contemporary sophistication and total versatility. Beyond being able to chop and change its configuration as you please, with three core seats and a chaise for lounging, it’s available in a smorgasbord of stain-resistant fabric types and boasts four different ranges of velvet alone. As well as its standard collection, there are even more sumptuous royal velvet options, textural and tactile mottled velvet, and recycled eco-velvet for those looking to furnish their homes with more planet-friendly choices. In a hurry? Swyft’s sofa-in-a-box-business model does away with the common 12-week lead times, with new made-to-order options available in a record 10 days and core fabrics available with even speedier 24-hour delivery. While there are 21 colours to choose from, we think keeping things neutral is the way to go with Swyft’s modular style, so don’t cower from a lighter shade like bone. Swyft’s stain-free technology is industry-leading, after all.

Now read:

The 19 best sofa beds for stylish sitting and snoozing

The best sofas for binge-watching in comfort and style

The thirteen best corner sofas for making the most of your space