Popular Interior Decorating Styles and How to Use Fabric Trimmings

Poorly chosen curtains and soft furnishing fabric trimmings are simply inappropriate. When you use trimmings in your decor scheme, they should resonate with the style of decorations. Adding plush trimmings to a minimalist style may not be ideal, nor will adding a tight corded braid be appropriate to a Victorian and opulent style.  

The style of your trimmings choice will have a significant impact on your overall interior theme. Here’s a detailed overview of how and where to use fabric trimmings.

Styles of Trimmings

Home decor has changed a lot, and like fashion, there are new and different style types that emerge. This means there are many different options and styles of trimmings to choose from. Knowing which trimming type is suitable for which style is also a great help. 

Here are some of the current trending interior decorating styles and the appropriate trimmings to match your curtains and soft furnishings.

Scandinavian Style

This minimalist style is all about light and uncomplicated styled decorations. This extends to curtains and soft furnishings too. For this style of decoration, you would avoid using plush trimmings that are dangly and overdone. Understated is best here in a simplistic color palette. Consider these trimmings for your pillows, upholstery, and curtaining:

White on White

Add a simplistic white tape to white curtains or white pillows to edge and delineate designs without adding unnecessary details. We love matching different fabrics and trim like these examples:

T7769 Ecru premium quality taped cord perfectly matches with K4175 WHITE upholstery fabric to achieve a plain and light look. 

Patterned on Plain

You could opt for shades of gray and combine platinum silver microsuede upholstery like K4189 PLATINUM with a basic silver and brown corded tape such as T4085 Tobacco. 

Hamptons Style

Create that sea-side retreat feel in your home with a palette of natural patterns and muted tones of blue, white, gray, and beige. While not quite as severe and plain as Scandinavian, the overall look is still understated. Tassels and plush fringes wouldn’t be ideal in this style. 

Add Complimentary Patterns

Combine a plain base for upholstery, curtaining, or pillows by using a color palette such as E5350 Graphite plain fabric with T9806 Denim, a gingham-type patterned tape, to achieve a stylish nautical subtheme. 

This could easily work in your home next to the coast or on a yacht out in the marina too. This tape could easily be combined with a similar toned corded trim on pillows or as tie-back edging for curtains. 

French Provincial Style

A style that never really goes out of fashion in interior design is French provincial style. The theme of exotic locales and decadent trading posts remains an ever-appealing design look. Combine exotic patterns with plush double-edged wavy tassel fringes or structured cord and bead designs. 

Pattern and Corded Trim

Combine lavish leafy patterns such as K3047 OASIS with simplistic designed trims like this corded tape T1774 Neutral. 

Plain and Lavish Trim

Choosing a plain antique styled fabric such as E9808 Ink with tassels like T5836 Camel for an exclusively antiqued look. 

Eclectic Style

This is a real opportunity for trimmings to shine. With eclectic style, there is no wrong or right, and it’s a glorious combination of collected culture troves. Combine plush trimmings like fringes, beaded tassels, rich brocaded tapes, and glowing metallic cords for a truly eclectic look. 

Stripe and Trim

Match a chunky type striped fabric like this K5291 jacquard style in lush taupe, dark blue, and light blue with a darker colored trim such as T2652 Sapphire for an eclectic finish. 

Patterned, Gimp, and Feature Tassel

Select a great pattern such as E4588 Porcelain Blue Ikat, in a jacquard style. Combine this with T1746 Sky aqua colored gimp trimmings. Pair this with a large key tassel trimming to focus the eye by adding a tassel such as T5392 Sky. 

Farmhouse Style Rustic 

Farmhouse style is increasingly gaining traction in the world of design. The rustic textures, picture designs, and warm earthy colors all contribute to create a classical view of rural farm life. Layers of textured fabric, hand-made trimmings, and pattern combinations all work together to complete the look. 

Striped Patterns and Trim

Choose a striped pattern that is textured in a natural way such as E7413 Chenille a woven jacquard and combine this with a beaded trim such as T2720 Pewter for a great feature point. For softer trimmings, combine with a trim such as a moss fringe like T4089 Tapenade, which will create a plush look. 

Printed Picture Design and Trim

Images of the old world provide the charm that is inherent in farmhouse style. Combine printed fabrics like K2457 RUSTIC, which has a rich cabin feel, with structured trimmings like D1770 Espresso to create linear shapes, echo striped patterns, and provide a professional finish. 

Urban Style

Urban style is a great revamp of modern style with sleek lines and muted textures. Use abstract patterns combined with simplistic trimmings or large fringes (for a statement) that create their own geometrics. This style works best in modern apartments with double volume ceilings and exposed brickwork or concrete floors where the true beauty of the fabric and trimmings can come into their own right.  

Pattern Combinations

The urban style is sleek, structured, and more formal than other styles. Choosing a simplistic pattern with a glossy finish will round up drapery, upholstery, and curtains. Combine a great structured fabric like K3645 in off-white damask with a braided tape like D9462 Walnut, which will echo the design elements without intruding on a neutral color palette. 

Fabric Styles and Trimmings FAQs

What is curtain trim?

Using decorative bands of textiles to accentuate and expand on curtain fabrics or upholstery materials, you can achieve a specific look or style. Trimming or passementerie are designed to finish off the curtain bottom, tops, or leading edge for increased visual impact. 

How do you use curtain trim?

Decide on the style of your room as not all curtain trim will complement your chosen style. With a style in mind, decide on a curtain trim that will suit that style. Next, choose where you will apply the curtain trim to the bottom hems, top edge, or leading edge. Be sure to sew the curtain trim after the trim has been shrunk if it’s not already pre-shrunk. 

A Final Word on Style and Trim

Be sure to choose a style of design you will feel comfortable with. While a fabulous trimming like brushed moss tassels may be gorgeous to look at, it may not fit into your lifestyle or fabric choices. Search for the best of both fabrics and trimmings to ensure you can create a look you can enjoy and maintain.