The Secret of the Sofa: It’s All in the Details

When choosing or updating a sofa, you may want to consider options other than fabrics. Design details such as tufting, trimming, and nail heads can both decorate the sofa and keep it in a casual style. Find out what details can make a piece more traditional, more modern, or just plain old-fashioned spectacular.

Seam

The seam style (how the edges of the fabric are sewn together) is a design element that varies greatly from sofa to sofa. The impact can be subtle, but the type of seam can make the difference between how formal or casual a piece of clothing is.

Welt

A welt is a thin string that runs along the seam and is usually located on the edge of the throw pillow and seat cushion. The welt adds a customized touch and tends to look more traditional. You can help pop the welt by making its fabric a different type or color than the mat, and this graphic touch is perfect for pieces with unique shapes.

Flat Stitches

Some stitch types produce flatter seams. Topstitching is a common one, but there are others, such as French seams and blind seams. But don’t pay too much attention to the details, because the overall look is the same: a little more modern than the welt, but less fancy. If you want to lighten the tone of a piece, a flat needle is ideal.

Flange

Flanges are fabrics on the mat that extend beyond the seams. It creates a flat fabric border – imagine frills without all the folds. It can be used on throw pillows, sofa cushions, or covers to create a more formal look.

Skirt Band

If your home has a skirt, you can add a strap of different fabric to the bottom of it. The width of the strap is usually 1 to 9 inches, which helps break up the monotony of the patterned interior. But if you’re going to use it, limit it to one type of furniture in the room. Having a band on all the pieces can feel overwhelming.

No Skirt Trim

You can also use piping on items that don’t have a skirt. This is done by applying a half-inch to 1-inch wide piece of fabric to the bottom of the part and holding it in place with a nail head. It’s a great design detail that fits most décor styles (except ultra-modern). The favorite fabric to use is linen because it comes in a variety of pastel colors and has a texture that blends well with other fabrics.

Diamond Tufting

Tufting is the creation of a depression in upholstery by tightening threaded buttons into the fabric. When the tufting forms a diamond pattern, you have diamond tufting. It’s definitely a more traditional, formal look. You can also change the fabric on the buttons or use pearl or faux tortoiseshell buttons to add a unique touch.

Waffle Tufts

By waffle tufting, the pieces of fabric are sewn together, creating a dent where the seams intersect and a rectangular pattern is formed in the fabric. This is the most modern tufted version, and you don’t even need to add buttons in the dimples if you don’t need them. Since waffle tufts add a nice texture but don’t look too fancy, it’s perfect for a medieval home or a more masculine room.

Nail Head Decoration

Nail head decoration can make a piece of furniture look more rustic, formal or modern – it all depends on the finish of the nails and how they are applied.

Nailhead is generally a more traditional style of design, so you should probably skip it if you want a completely modern space. But if you like a mix of modernity and tradition, spikeheads might be your best friend, as they can give a classic feel to a modern piece.

The nail head is applied to the edge of the furniture, which can be the whole piece of furniture or partial furniture. If you want to keep it subtle, place the nail head around the base. Wrapping around the entire piece creates a greater impact and is perfect for furniture with interesting shapes, such as a curved headboard. It’s also a good choice for pieces with a back facing the room.

Nickel Nail Head

Probably the most common type of nail head, the nickel trim is silver and can be matte or shiny. It is perfect for modern furniture styles and adds a charming touch to traditional furniture. It does work well with dark colors like navy blue and charcoal.

Brass Nail Heads

Brass studs range in color from matte yellow to shiny gold. Matte brass is versatile and is often more understated than nickel. The shiny brass will be even more eye-catching and absolutely glamorous; It contrasts with dark colors such as black.

Vintage or Distressed Nail Heads

Nail heads, which have been hammered or colored to make them look worn, definitely belong to the rustic camp. It would be great if it was furnished in a chalet or farmhouse. Pair it with distressed leather for a more rustic vibe.

The Tack Trims the Nail Head

The small, delicate tack trim is perfect for a subtle touch. Since it’s not a standard nail head, it’s perfect for updating traditional styles. Studs are usually darker in color and create a subtle silhouette around the garment, adding interest.

Nailhead Application

Nails can be applied next to each other (head to head) or there is space between the nail heads. The latter has a more modern look and can update the traditional style or enhance the modern piece. Apply your nails head-to-head for a more classic look.