11 Distinctive Details for Upscale-Looking Upholstery
Give the upholstery on your chair, sofa, banquette or headboard a high-end look with details that create polish
I'm forever looking at upholstery details. I make and buy chairs, sofas and headboards regularly and have studied various tucks, seams and welts for years. Certain details really do define a look of a chair, much like a necklace or scarf can change the vibe of an outfit.
Learn upholstery lingo and consider some new details for your next upholstery project. Here are some of my favorites and the attitudes they convey.
Learn upholstery lingo and consider some new details for your next upholstery project. Here are some of my favorites and the attitudes they convey.
One of my favorite choices for a chair is a dressmaker's cut, sometimes referred to as a drop skirt. It creates a casual but tailored vibe. This detail works great with linen and cotton. Notice the contrasting band on the bottom edge. Pretty!
An English arm with a T-seat cushion is another one of my favorite upholstery details. This look is elegant yet also still casual. The fit is precise and shows a pattern well.
A pleated slipcover is a great option for sofas and chairs. Slipcovers are practical and a great choice for homes with kids or pets, but sometimes they can look messy and ill fitting. The pleat provides just a subtle detail so the slipcover looks like it fits properly.
A box cushion is a nice choice for bench or banquette seating. A box cushion is made with a foam core for a nice squared-off shape. Sometimes construction consists of a foam core with a down wrap. The edges here are finished with a small self-welt.
This beautiful chair has a lot going on. The details are very subtle but visually effective. The chair has a contrasting face on the seat cushion. Additionally, the seat and back have a double welt for extra elegance. Gorgeous!
Contrasting fabrics are a great detail for chairs. Try a contrasting fabric on the inside back of a chair, just like on this handsome armchair. Create interest with fabrics that relate to each other in color or pattern.
Nailheads pump up the detail on the back of your sofa. If you have a sofa set away from the walls in a room, consider dressing up the back. The simple nailhead detail here adds a modern touch to the squared-off lines.
Diamond tufting is a detail for a chair, sofa or headboard that creates extra cushion on tight-back upholstery. A tight back does not have as much "cush" as a loose back, so the diamond tufting makes up for that. It tends to feel modern in a solid and more traditional in a pattern.
A tufted, rolled arm is unmistakably traditional. This is sometimes referred to as a chesterfield style; the tufting here is bold and overscaled.
Channel tufting is a fun detail that can add vintage appeal or modern flair to any type of seating. Depending on what it's paired with, this detail can evoke '20s glamour or a midcentury modern vibe. It feels nice and cushy, too, and is a good choice for people who like symmetry.
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