Decorating
This Small Detail Packs a Decorative Punch
Slim trim it may be, but this finishing touch for upholstered designs and soft furnishings makes its presence felt
When it comes to home furnishings, the delight is in the details, and piping is definitely one of those extremely pleasing fine points. But it’s more than an appealing trim that smartens a sofa or finishes a cushion. Discover the surprising power of fabric-encased cord in these examples.
Stay smart
Piping doesn’t have to create a contrast, of course. On this sofa, self-piping – in other words, a repetition of the main fabric – draws attention to the elegant silhouette.
The piping is combined with other traditional details on this design, such as pleats on the arms and turned wood legs on brass castors, but, with a punchy pink finish, it marries contemporary and classic in an appealing package.
Piping doesn’t have to create a contrast, of course. On this sofa, self-piping – in other words, a repetition of the main fabric – draws attention to the elegant silhouette.
The piping is combined with other traditional details on this design, such as pleats on the arms and turned wood legs on brass castors, but, with a punchy pink finish, it marries contemporary and classic in an appealing package.
Follow the curve
If you want to make a shapely headboard the focal point of a scheme, think piping to emphasise its lines.
Against the bold green wall in this room, self-piping prevents colour overload, but against a neutral backdrop, contrasting piping would give the feature great standout.
If you want to make a shapely headboard the focal point of a scheme, think piping to emphasise its lines.
Against the bold green wall in this room, self-piping prevents colour overload, but against a neutral backdrop, contrasting piping would give the feature great standout.
Draw an outline
Think about decorating in pastel shades and you might worry about a wishy-washy result, but follow this room’s lead and the trap is evaded.
A black accent in the piping on the cushions, as well as in the wallpaper pattern, is the secret ingredient, grounding the sugary shades.
Other elements that make it sophisticated? Geometric pattern, plus soft grey for the upholstery and wallpaper background.
Think about decorating in pastel shades and you might worry about a wishy-washy result, but follow this room’s lead and the trap is evaded.
A black accent in the piping on the cushions, as well as in the wallpaper pattern, is the secret ingredient, grounding the sugary shades.
Other elements that make it sophisticated? Geometric pattern, plus soft grey for the upholstery and wallpaper background.
Create a connection
In a colourful room like this one, piping can be a way to subtly link different elements. Here, the vibrant turquoise upholstery on the sofas is bounded by yellow trim that connects with the rug. The stool/coffee table in between reverses the pairing for additional cohesion.
The sofas have another traditional detail that’s stepped out of the gentlemen’s club setting and into all sorts of schemes recently in their buttoned upholstery. To boost colour further in your own take on the look, try matching buttons and piping.
Find upholsterers in your area on Houzz
In a colourful room like this one, piping can be a way to subtly link different elements. Here, the vibrant turquoise upholstery on the sofas is bounded by yellow trim that connects with the rug. The stool/coffee table in between reverses the pairing for additional cohesion.
The sofas have another traditional detail that’s stepped out of the gentlemen’s club setting and into all sorts of schemes recently in their buttoned upholstery. To boost colour further in your own take on the look, try matching buttons and piping.
Find upholsterers in your area on Houzz
Match trims
Piping’s been chosen for both the sofa and the cushion in this living room. Both are self-piped, so the effect is understated, but the look is definitely smart.
Repeat the trick in a room that’s designed for entertaining rather than lounging, and include luxury details like this scheme’s light-catching metallic-thread curtain fabric, rich textural sofa and cushion fabrics, and grown-up silver and plum tones.
Piping’s been chosen for both the sofa and the cushion in this living room. Both are self-piped, so the effect is understated, but the look is definitely smart.
Repeat the trick in a room that’s designed for entertaining rather than lounging, and include luxury details like this scheme’s light-catching metallic-thread curtain fabric, rich textural sofa and cushion fabrics, and grown-up silver and plum tones.
Go for gold
Metallic piping on a couple of cushions in this living space brings opulence to the scheme with the lightest of touches. The trim is repeated on the sociable facing sofas, but this time in an eye-catching blue that harmonises with the cushion colours.
Highlights like these are worth incorporating into a room scheme that features a dark wall colour. Radiators in a shiny metallic finish can also be fabulous room brighteners.
Metallic piping on a couple of cushions in this living space brings opulence to the scheme with the lightest of touches. The trim is repeated on the sociable facing sofas, but this time in an eye-catching blue that harmonises with the cushion colours.
Highlights like these are worth incorporating into a room scheme that features a dark wall colour. Radiators in a shiny metallic finish can also be fabulous room brighteners.
Pull together
If you’re teaming different upholstery fabrics within one room, piping can help to pull the look together. In this space, the pair of armchairs are trimmed in a shade that matches the sofas, while cushions repeat the blue and white combination, this time in a geometric pattern.
Although the piping is a chic detail here, it’s a functional addition to seating as well, strengthening seams, so consider it when you’re investing in new seats, especially for pieces that see a lot of life.
If you’re teaming different upholstery fabrics within one room, piping can help to pull the look together. In this space, the pair of armchairs are trimmed in a shade that matches the sofas, while cushions repeat the blue and white combination, this time in a geometric pattern.
Although the piping is a chic detail here, it’s a functional addition to seating as well, strengthening seams, so consider it when you’re investing in new seats, especially for pieces that see a lot of life.
Anchor pattern
This beautiful bedroom uses navy blue piping on either side of the border on the patterned headboard. The technique gives the fabric design a frame, and draws attention to the depth – and therefore comfort – of the headboard. Piling up cushions puts the accent on relaxation, too.
Although the room feels uncluttered and airy, the scheme is rich in detail. The piping is repeated on the bench seat that’s upholstered in the same fabric, giving the edge sharp definition. The lettered cushions also take up the theme, and even the lampshades are trimmed in navy.
Want to wake up feeling relaxed? Steal tips from these bedrooms
This beautiful bedroom uses navy blue piping on either side of the border on the patterned headboard. The technique gives the fabric design a frame, and draws attention to the depth – and therefore comfort – of the headboard. Piling up cushions puts the accent on relaxation, too.
Although the room feels uncluttered and airy, the scheme is rich in detail. The piping is repeated on the bench seat that’s upholstered in the same fabric, giving the edge sharp definition. The lettered cushions also take up the theme, and even the lampshades are trimmed in navy.
Want to wake up feeling relaxed? Steal tips from these bedrooms
Make a statement
We’ve already seen that piping works a treat alongside buttoned upholstery, but that’s not its only happy complement. This chair teams piping for the back, wings and low arms with studded detailing around the seat.
Be inspired if you’re looking for a way to incorporate a statement piece in a monochrome room scheme where a patterned or bold armchair would jar. This way, you can make a piece special with stylish finishing touches.
Tell us…
How does piping feature in your home, and which of these rooms do you like best? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
We’ve already seen that piping works a treat alongside buttoned upholstery, but that’s not its only happy complement. This chair teams piping for the back, wings and low arms with studded detailing around the seat.
Be inspired if you’re looking for a way to incorporate a statement piece in a monochrome room scheme where a patterned or bold armchair would jar. This way, you can make a piece special with stylish finishing touches.
Tell us…
How does piping feature in your home, and which of these rooms do you like best? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
A neutral-coloured sofa may be the way to go because it keeps a room bright and airy, but there’s no need to swerve a brilliant accent on your seating altogether.
Blue piping on this sofa gives it a contemporary edge without weighing on the gentle presence of pale upholstery. The turquoise is repeated in a cushion, with pink and green versions also picking up the colour gauntlet.
Together with a green rug on the floor, the summer garden colour scheme links indoors and out beautifully.