Breaking down the bullion fringe interior design trend, how to DIY the look, and where to find fringe ottomans, chairs, and sofas.
Have you felt the urge to add bullion fringe to an ottoman or chair in your home recently? You’re not alone.
Fringe-adorned ottomans, chairs, and sofas have been appearing all over designers’ Instagram feeds and Pinterest boards, bringing a lush, tactile finish to interiors that lean toward maximalist styling.
I find myself looking at sofas and chairs and thinking, “I should add bullion fringe to that.” If you want to test the style without committing to reupholstery, adding trim to an ottoman or lamp is a quick way to experiment.
To try the look in a shared workspace earlier this year, I added a fringe ottoman to a conference room refresh. It instantly gave the space a warmer, more layered feel without a major overhaul.
What is Bullion Fringe?
Bullion fringe is a decorative trim made of twisted cords, often finished with a soft, dangling skirt. It’s a classic upholstery detail traditionally used to edge sofas, ottomans, draperies, and lampshades. The effect reads luxurious and ornate, and it pairs naturally with vintage and maximalist styles such as Victorian, Art Deco, and Hollywood Regency.
The current resurgence of Hollywood Regency and Art Deco influences has brought bullion fringe back into the spotlight. Designers are adding rich textures, glossy finishes, and layered ornamentation as a deliberate counterpoint to years of minimalism.
If you’ve noticed burl wood furniture, chinoiserie wallpapers, and antique gold mirrors making frequent appearances in interiors you follow, that’s part of the same embrace of character and detail. These elements create a sense of history and personality in a room.
A note about trends: Don’t feel pressured to adopt something just because it’s popular. A trend becomes meaningful in your home when it reflects your taste. Bullion fringe works best where you want warmth, drama, and a touch of classic glamour.
DIY Fringe Furniture
Adding bullion fringe yourself is easier than you might think. You can transform a modern chair or sofa into something with more traditional, tailored appeal by applying trim along the base. Fringe also works beautifully on lampshades, skirts for bed bases, or layered on decorative curtains.
Start by measuring the perimeter where you want the trim to sit. Purchase bullion fringe in a coordinating color and decide whether you prefer sewn, stapled, or glued attachment. For a temporary or renter-friendly solution, double-sided upholstery tape or a tack strip can hold trim in place without permanent modification.
For a cleaner, longer-lasting result, use an upholstery needle and thread or a staple gun to secure the fringe to the webbing or underside of a skirt. If you’re working on a delicate fabric, test your chosen method on a scrap first. Trim excess threads and inspect the fringe for evenness once installed.
Fringe Ottomans, Chairs, and Sofas for All Budgets
If you prefer to buy rather than DIY, there are plenty of bullion fringe ottomans and occasional chairs available across a wide price range. Affordable ottomans with applied trim can be found for modest budgets, while fully upholstered fringe sofas and custom pieces will be pricier.
When shopping, consider scale and proportion: a heavy bullion fringe suits a substantial ottoman or sofa, while a finer fringe complements smaller seats and accent pieces. Color is another important choice — matching the trim to the upholstery creates cohesion, while a contrasting trim adds a deliberate accent.
(Full disclosure – some pieces referenced in design roundups areaffiliate offerings.)
Below this section, a shoppable gallery originally accompanied the article to highlight options at different price points. That interactive widget has been removed; the images above represent the kinds of fringe pieces designers are using today.
More Maximalist Decor Trends
- Burl wood furniture and refinished wood pieces for warm, classic character
- Antique gold mirrors and gilt accents to introduce classic glamour
- Chinoiserie and patterned wallpapers to layer visual interest
- Shaded chandeliers and decorative lighting to complete a maximalist look
