Discover which sofa material is right for you with DFS

Luxury and glamour abounds when you choose a velvet sofa. Much loved for their soft and smooth texture that shines in any space, velvet and crushed velvet sofas promise a plush, sumptuously soft sit that takes your lounging to the next level and makes your home feel a little more Hollywood.

Velvet sofas are hard to beat in the staying power department - a staple of glitz and glam in the early 1900s, velvet’s celebrity status was firmly established in the soft luxury of the 60s and 70s and persists today, effortlessly slotting into endless trending styles from feminine opulence to enchanting maximalism and everything in between.

Looking for cosiness that’s bang on trend? Boucle is the material on everyone’s minds right now - and for good reason. Cosy, contemporary and versatile, a boucle sofa is sure to make a statement in any space.

Also known as a teddy sofa for its super snuggle able look, a boucle sofa boasts a unique matte tactile texture that’s visible from across the room. While it’s particularly popular at the moment, designers have been keen on boucle since the 1970s, so there’s no need to fret about it falling out of fashion. Quite the opposite in fact - modern technology means boucle is more durable than ever, and indulgent interiors like quiet luxury and the cosy curve trend prove there’s no time like the present to introduce a boucle sofa bed, corner or cuddler into your home.

The luxurious look and softness of a leather sofa at a more affordable price - it’s no surprise that faux leather sofas are so popular. Loved for its low maintenance appeal and versatility, faux leather is a man-made fabric with plenty of pros over its natural counterpart, including a protective UV-resistant topcoat, its wipe-clean surface, and cruelty-free production.

Faux leather sofas, or pleather sofas as they’re sometimes known, first appeared in our living rooms in the early 20th century, introducing the handsome, heritage style of a leather sofa to the wider market. Advances in upholstery technology since then have seen the faux leather sofa become a staple of the British family home, offering a budget-friendly addition to modern trends like colour drenching and 1970s Fleetwood style.

When you say cosy, we think jumbo cord. Thick ribbed channels of raised pile in classic corduroy stripes - a jumbo cord sofa promises an irresistibly soft and unparalleled plush texture for sink-in seating.

Corduroy has been cool since the days of Ancient Egypt, but its popularity skyrocketed thanks to the casual and colourful trends of the 1970s. From jeans to jackets and now to some of our cosiest corner sofas, corduroy adds both visual and textural allure with its recognisable striped pattern and luxuriously soft raised tufting. But don’t mistake comfort for fragility - jumbo cord is a thick and surprisingly durable fabric that’s more resistant to wear and tear than similar softer materials. It stands the test of time too, lending itself to popular modern interiors such as cosy cottage core and sumptuous slow living.

Soft to touch, durable, and effortlessly versatile, there’s a reason chenille sofas are so popular. This indulgent fabric suits any colour, style, and space, promising a cosy spot to curl up in for studio lovers and full families alike.

French for ‘caterpillar’ as a nod to its fuzzy threads, chenille was originally considered a fabric for only the most luxurious of lounges, loved by the Parisian elites for its elegant, high sheen finish. That decadence has stood the test of time to grace our modern interiors, now more affordable in a variety of shapes and silhouettes, feeling right at home in every style from enchanted maximalism to colourful nostalgic chic.