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Green chenille sofa against a blue and green floral wall next to a cream rug with a blue border

Cream chenille sofa with black and white cushions, sat on a wooden floor and fluffy rug

Chenille fabric sofa buying guide

Looking for effortless luxury and durability in your living room? Sounds like you need a chenille sofa. Soft-to-touch, hard-wearing, and endlessly versatile, there’s a reason chenille is so popular. But how do you know whether a chenille sofa is right for your space, and which kind of chenille sofa do you need?

Read on for our best advice on choosing the perfect chenille sofa for you.

Dark green chenille corner sofa with gold trim finished with floral scatter cushions and footstool

Why should I buy a chenille fabric sofa?

Popular for its high-sheen finish and cosy texture, chenille is a thick, luxurious short pile fabric that offers quality comfort and elegant style in equal measure. Better still, it’s surprisingly durable and makes a great choice for bigger families with little ones on the loose - though paw-rents should consider that the looping threads have snag potential for excited paws and claws.

Style a deciding factor? You’re in luck - chenille sofas’ opulent appearance feels right at home in any number of interior trends, from bright and bold vintage living rooms to moodier, darker maximalist settings.

apple green chenille sofa with white piping and cream scatter cushions

Beige chenille sofa with two arm bolster cushions

Brown chenille sofa with white and orange scatter cushions

Sage green pillow back chenille sofa with patterned cushions

Cream chenille sofa with fluffy cushions

Dark red chenille sofa with floral scatter cushion

Light brown chenille sofa with a mixture of brown and monochrome cushions

Brown chenille mid century sofa with black and white scatter cushions

White corner sofa with cream and beige scatter cushions

Small brown mid century chenille sofa with a black side table and white fluffy rug

Small chenille sofa

FIlling a smaller space? Worry not! Our small chenille sofas are as compact as they are comfortable, perfect for making your studio apartment or cosy living room feel luxurious. Explore our 2 seater and cuddler chenille sofas for snuggling up in front of the TV, or take it a step further with a chenille sofa bed to elevate movie marathons and day-to-night lounging.

Blue chenille sofa

Just about any colour will look good on your chenille fabric sofa - but we have a soft spot for blue. Coastal chic, wellness hideaways, and opulent 20s-inspired entertaining spaces all call for an eye-catching blue centrepiece. A blue chenille sofa exudes understated elegance whatever your style, promising a rich, multi-tonal finish thanks to this fabric’s natural high-sheen finish.

Brown mid century chenille sofa with pattern scatter cushions next to a walnut and glass coffee table

Brown chenille sofa

Indulgent, warm, and the epitome of chic comfort - the colour of the year and chenille have a lot in common, so it’s no surprise they make a popular pair. A brown chenille sofa is equal parts luxurious and cosy, adding soft-to-touch, understated sophistication to suit a variety of colour palettes and interior styles.

Cream u shaped chenille sofa wit beige coloured cushions

Chenille corner sofa

If you’re the host with the most searching for maximum bums-on-seats potential, a chenille corner sofa is a must. Whether you’re aiming to fill your space from every angle or creating a cosier zone in a wide open room, a corner sofa offers wrap-around comfort, with recliner and chaise-end options available to take your lounging even further

Grey quilted chenille sofa with a orange and pattern scatter on a dark wood floor and pattern rug

Grey chenille sofa

Searching for a neutral centrepiece with that little extra something? Grey goes with everything, and a grey chenille sofa could be the perfect missing piece to take your living room from looking good to looking luxe. In a smaller space, a chic grey chenille cuddler adds cosy value, while a grandiose chenille chaise-end number works wonders in a bigger room.

More chenille furniture

Don’t let your love of chenille be limited to your sofa! At DFS, our collection of chenille furniture covers your living room and beyond, bringing durable cosiness to every corner of your home.

Need a kick-back complement to your new sofa? Explore our chenille footstools, available in a range of shapes and sizes with sleek storage options - for functional, feet-up lounging. Or, to level up your seating set-up, choose a plush chenille armchair or accent chair with matching chenille scatter cushions.

Chenille chairs

Chenille footstools

Chenille scatters

How to clean a chenille sofa

With its cosy feel and high-sheen appearance, you’d be forgiven for thinking that a chenille fabric sofa would be hard to clean and downright delicate. But fear not - chenille is surprisingly durable and, with the right care, can be a long-lasting centrepiece for your home. Take a look at our clean and care tips to keep your chenille sofa in tip top condition.

Keep out of direct sunlight

While your sofa might look lavish drenched in sunlight, too much UV exposure can cause the colour to fade. We recommend keeping your sofa out of direct sunlight to keep that brand-new feeling for longer.

Spot clean spills

The key to defeating stains is not giving them a chance to stick around! Dab any spills quickly using a clean, dry cloth for your best chance to avoid a stain.

Brush regularly

Keeping on top of your sofa care is the best way to keep chenille looking luxurious for longer. Use a soft brush to deal with dust and debris once a week - or however often as you see fit! - being sure to brush in the direction of the nap for a smooth finish.

Try a DFS Fabric Care Kit

Got a stubborn stain? Our specially designed DFS Fabric Care Kits include stain removal sprays to help you lift a variety of common stains. Follow the treatment instructions in the kit and you’ll be safe in the knowledge that you aren’t risking further damage to your sofa. Add your DFS Fabric Care Kit at checkout or purchase refills in store, or via our official DFS eBay Outlet.

For more information on caring for your sofa, check out our fabric sofa care guide and upholstery care guide.

Chenille fabric sofa FAQs

Still got questions? Read the answers to some of our customers’ most common queries about all things chenille, below.

Is chenille like velvet?

In a word, yes - chenille and velvet are both textured pile fabrics that catch the light differently over the form of the piece they cover, creating a luxurious high-sheen finish. However, there are a few key differences to keep in mind. Chenille is made from twisted threads and has a subtle fuzzy texture, compared to velvet’s silky smooth surface. While both are irresistibly soft-to-touch, chenille makes more of a cosy statement, while velvet exudes dramatic flair in your space and is often the more expensive of the two. To venture into all things velvet, explore our velvet sofa buying guide.

Is chenille good for a sofa?

We certainly think so! Chenille makes a great sofa fabric thanks to its durability, versatility and elegant style. It’s unquestionably cosy with a luxurious look and a sheen in the fabric that promises a rich, multitonal effect across the sofa. Better still, chenille is hardy and stands up to daily life with little ones - though snag potential is something for parents of paws and claws to keep in mind.

Is chenille a good fabric for dogs?

Though durable, we wouldn’t recommend a chenille fabric sofa for families with dogs and cats that like to snuggle up. Chenille’s looped threads can easily be snagged by your furry friend’s claws, leading to damages in the fabric and an uneven texture. If you’re set on a chenille sofa with a four-legged friend in the house, why not entice them away from your spot to a pet sofa of their own? Alternatively, check out our top new sofa tips for pet owners.