Border Trimmings

Border Trim by the Yard

Border trim is one of the most architectural passementerie elements in interior design — a flat, decorative band applied along edges, seams, and hems to define silhouettes, introduce contrast, and frame upholstery and drapery with precision and craft. Unlike fringe or tassel trims that add dimension and movement, border trims work in a graphic, flat plane — adding structure, colour, and pattern without bulk. At The WorkRoom, our border trim collection spans embroidered, woven, printed, and tape-style designs in widths from under 2" to over 7", from leading luxury passementerie brands including RM Coco and Schumacher, sold by the yard with samples available for most styles.

Types of Border Trim

Border trims are distinguished by their construction and visual character. Embroidered border trim features decorative motifs — florals, vines, geometric patterns, and folk-inspired designs — worked in colourful thread on a woven cotton or linen base. These are among the most decorative and detailed options in the collection, suited to cushion edges, bed skirts, drapery hems, and any application where artisanal craft is a design priority. Woven jacquard border trim features structured pattern woven directly into the tape — stripes, geometric bands, and repeating motifs that feel more formal and architectural. Printed tape border trim — including hand block-printed designs — offers graphic pattern in a lightweight, versatile format suited to drapery panels and casual upholstery. Ribbon and satin border trim provides a sleeker, more refined finishing option for formal and feminine applications.

Where Border Trim Works Best

Border trim excels wherever a clean, defined line adds structure and intention to a finished piece. On drapery, a wide border trim along the leading edge creates a dramatic vertical panel that frames the window and adds scale — one of the most effective ways to make standard-length curtains read as designer. Along the bottom hem of drapery panels, border trim adds weight and definition. On upholstery, border trim applied along the top of a skirt, along the front edge of cushion panels, or as a decorative band on a headboard brings a custom, workroom-quality finish. Bed skirts, table skirts, valances, and decorative pillows all benefit from the clean, graphic finish that border trim provides.

Choosing Border Trim Width and Scale

Width is the most important design decision when selecting border trim. Narrow borders (1"–2.5") work best for seam detailing on cushions, along chair seat edges, and as subtle accent lines on upholstery. Medium widths (2.5"–4") are the most versatile — wide enough to read clearly on drapery and bed skirts without overwhelming the base fabric. Wide borders (4"–7"+) make a bold decorative statement, best suited to formal drapery panels, large-scale upholstered pieces, and table skirts where the trim itself becomes a design feature. Pattern scale within the trim should also relate to the scale of the base fabric — a finely embroidered small-repeat border suits delicate prints, while a bold woven band complements heavier wovens and solids.

Coordinating Border Trim with Fabric

Border trim creates its greatest impact when the contrast between trim and fabric is considered carefully. On solid neutral fabric, a colourful or patterned border trim introduces the only decorative note — a high-impact approach that lets the trim carry the design. On patterned fabric, a trim that picks out one accent colour from the pattern creates a cohesive, custom-finished look. On velvet fabric, a woven or embroidered border in a complementary tone adds richness and surface complexity. For coordinating fabric options, explore our full range of upholstery fabric and drapery fabric collections.

Also Explore

If you are shopping for border trim you may also need other passementerie to complete your project. Braid trim offers a similar flat, linear construction to border trim but with a twisted or interlaced woven structure rather than a printed or embroidered pattern — a classic alternative for more traditional applications. Tape trim provides a narrower, flat woven band for the most understated seam finishing. Fringe trim adds movement and decorative drama alongside or instead of border trim on drapery and cushions. Cord trim defines edges with a rounded, twisted profile. For border trim by brand, explore our RM Coco trims, Schumacher trims, and Kravet trims collections. Note: if you are looking for wallpaper borders, those are available in our separate wallpaper borders collection.