Trend Alert: Upholstered Cornices

We love designing new window treatments for our clients – they can be really interesting and creative! Upholstered cornices are becoming even more popular, and while you may have previously associated them with older or more traditional interior styles, they are cropping up in all sorts of interiors and have become a popular choice. Let’s take a closer look!

Why we love it!

We love using upholstered cornices in our projects because they finish off the window treatments perfectly! They add a soft touch to an otherwise cold area of the room and helps to incorporate the window treatment itself to the room more as a permanent fixture. Upholstered cornices have come a long way since they were popular in the 1900’s and now add a great deal of warmth to the home.

Another reason why we love using upholstered cornices alongside window treatments is that they are an opportunity to be creative with the style and fabric used.

How to use it. 

There are lots of different styles to choose from when it comes to upholstered cornices, so you can really customize this for each window treatment you have throughout your home.

Choose from the modern linear style, arch or partial arch, casual, an elaborate deco, scallop or wide scallop.

Upholstered cornices can be used to dress your window treatments, like curtains or blinds. They help to finish off the window area of your space, and are usually upholstered with a complementary fabric to that of the curtains or blinds. Once these upholstered cornices are installed, some styles can be easily re-upholstered if needed in the future.

We love using upholstered cornices in our projects because we can draw from other colors used in the design scheme to pull everything together and create a cohesive space.

What to watch for.

There are some considerations to take into account when thinking of installing upholstered cornices in your home…

First, you should ensure that the upholstered cornice is installed correctly – not too high or low, and not too wide, etc – otherwise it can look out of proportion. Cornices are usually mounted 4 inches above the top of the window frame or window treatment, and the height of the cornice is usually 1/5 of the total height measurement of the window treatment.

Another aspect to consider with upholstered cornices is the fabric chosen. If you’re in doubt about using patterned or bright colors – stick with a neutral fabric as this will be timeless in any interior!

Ways to make this trend last in your home

Upholstered cornices can last many years in your home if the style/shape and fabric have been chosen correctly.

The key to choosing a timeless upholstered cornice is to choose a shape that reflects the overall style of your room. Is your interior modern with hints of texture? A linear or simple-shaped cornice will look fantastic. Is your interior more traditional? Consider using an arched style or scalloped cornice so it reflects the main interior.

For the fabric of the upholstered cornice, this also depends on the room it will be installed in. Do you have any accent colors you could draw from? Or would you prefer a more neutral fabric? Neutral tones will last a lifetime because they will go with almost any other color, so even if you decide to change your color scheme in a few years, you’ll only need to change the curtains and not the cornice piece.

Consider patterned versus plain fabrics. Use patterned fabrics to make a statement out of the upholstered cornice, or keep it plain for a more timeless and classic look.

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