7 Upholstery Details That Make Your House Look More Expensive, According to Experts

A popular upholstery trend we’ve been seeing more and more the past few years is beautifully trimmed sofas and beds, as well as smaller—but equally charming—dining chairs, ottomans, and even accent pillows.

The slight contrast in texture and tone from the rest of the upholstery creates an instantly eye-catching allure to any piece of furniture or decorative pouf. Because of this, Vallis says trimmings can instantly elevate the design of your home and make it look more expensive. She adds, “Whether a neat cord piping or the thrill of a fan braid, bobble, or full fringe, these details, used without hesitation, lift interior spaces to new levels.”

Rather than choosing a single fabric and basic stitches and seams to outfit an entire living room, Vallis encourages design lovers to consider combining beautiful fabrics in patterns that layer and contrast to create visual depth in the space. It’s a simple way to add an instant hint of wealth to a design scheme. It illustrates the idea that each upholstered item was chosen and designed with care, rather than as a bland set purchased from a big box store.

According to House of Hackney’s U.S. Decorating Consultant Maggie Samson, upholstery fabrics made with natural fibers always look better—and, thus, more expensive—than synthetics. “You can’t go wrong with a rich cotton-velvet or a laid-back linen,” she says.

Natural fibers don’t solely apply to textiles, though. Vallis says that natural fiber trimmings can also add an expensive allure to upholstery. “The natural fibers and British craft of our trimmings collection really elevate interiors to the next level,” she says. “The colors are timeless and carefully considered to create an adaptable palette that works in a multitude of schemes. Thoughtfulness of design, from the fabrics to the upholsterer’s skill, is where luxury comes from.”

Designer and Evars Collective CEO, Nancy Evars, of DECORATE by Nancy Evars, says that if you want your home to look expensive, adding texture wherever you can is key. “Velvet, mohair, leather, and woven fabrics have a luxe appeal,” she shares. “Layering different textures, dimensions, and/or patterns will further elevate the look.”

Here’s the kicker: You don’t need a large expanse of textured upholstery for it to make your home look more expensive. “Even if a fabric is expensive, oftentimes you can use it in a way where you don’t need a lot of yardage, like on the back of a cushion or chair,” Evars says. So if you’re on a budget or simply hoping to allocate your funds to other spaces in your home, you can opt for smaller textured upholstery projects that will elevate the appearance of your home all the same.

However, if you do want to upholster larger pieces of furniture, you have options. "There is an impressive array of textural, plain polyester-mix fabrics available in the market, such as velvet, chenille, or interesting bouclés,” says Johanna Bright, head of design at Osborne & Little. “Opting for a tonal plain texture for upholstered furniture can create a luxurious look, and these fabrics offer the added advantage of stain-resistant finishes.”

If you’re unsure of the pattern or print you’re most drawn to for your upholstery project, Samson says you can never go wrong with nature-inspired patterns.

“Nature is timeless, so using a print inspired by the natural world—whether that’s florals, botanicals, or foliage—will transcend trends and always look luxe,” she says.

If you don’t have the budget or the time to spruce up your space with newly upholstered furniture, Bright says to accessorize with statement pillows that add to the textured, layered look you’re going for. With so many fabric options out there, she says that decorative cushions allow you to add your own personal style (and they're easy to swap out whenever you want a change).

Another way you can add rich texture and color to your space without making a major investment is by adding an upholstered ottoman to the mix. “You don’t have to spend a lot of money to make it look like you’ve spent a lot of money,” Samson exclaims.

She adds, “Sometimes, the smallest changes can make the biggest impact. Consider an ottoman or a simple chair in a beautiful textile. This not only adds a touch of sophistication but also can assist to blend all of the room's elements and make it feel more harmonious and intentional.”