Happily, there's no need to embark on a full-scale redecoration to get in on the act. Pom-poms, passementerie, ruffles and scalloped edges – we've rounded up the prettiest frills and trims to bring a little extra flourish to your home.
Doing It For The Frills: The Prettiest Trimmings For Your Home
All the trimmings? Yes please. As autumn beds in, we're embracing the art of embellishment with our pick of the loveliest frills, tassels, fringes and trims for the home.
Remember the 1990s when the prevailing wisdom in interiors was that less was more? The 1980s Laura Ashley look was sharply on the wane and, well, we suddenly wanted everything to be white and chrome. Fast forward to 2026, and we still have a soft spot for a beautifully pared-back room (albeit in warmer tones and textures than those minimalist interiors of old). And yet there's an undeniable joie de vivre about a little decorative excess. A fringed lampshade here, a tasselled cushion there, perhaps a length of pretty braid to give a tired curtain a new lease of life. These are the small flourishes that can make a room feel altogether more lived in and characterful.
Happily, there's no need to embark on a full-scale redecoration to get in on the act. Pom-poms, passementerie, ruffles and scalloped edges – we've rounded up the prettiest frills and trims to bring a little extra flourish to your home.
Happily, there's no need to embark on a full-scale redecoration to get in on the act. Pom-poms, passementerie, ruffles and scalloped edges – we've rounded up the prettiest frills and trims to bring a little extra flourish to your home.
Decorative Frills & Trims
How can I add decorative trims to my home without redecorating?
Small details can make a surprisingly big difference. Try adding a tassel to a cupboard key, sewing a pretty braid along the edge of a cushion or giving plain curtains a new lease of life with a decorative tieback. A fringed lampshade is another easy way to introduce a little embellishment.
What is passementerie?
Passementerie is the traditional term for decorative trimmings, including tassels, fringes, braids, cords and pom-poms. Long used to embellish curtains, upholstery and soft furnishings, it's enjoying something of a renaissance as interiors become more playful and decorative.
Are fringes and tassels fashionable in interiors?
Very much so. After years of minimalist interiors, decorative details are firmly back in favour. From elaborate bullion fringes to playful pom-poms and ruffled cushions, the current mood is all about adding character, texture and a little whimsy.
Where can I buy beautiful decorative trims in the UK?
VV Rouleaux is a treasure trove of ribbons, tassels and braids, while Sanderson, Houlès and Studio 198 offer beautiful trimmings for curtains and upholstery. For more affordable finds, try Dunelm and Etsy, where vintage passementerie can be particularly lovely.
Can I mix different patterns, colours and trims?
Absolutely. The trick is to find a common thread, whether that's a colour, texture or decorative motif. A striped cushion with a contrasting fringe, for instance, can look wonderful alongside florals and patterned upholstery. Sometimes a little clash is precisely what makes a room interesting.
By
Nancy Alsop
·
Published October 2026
Nancy is a magpie for the best in design and culture.
