How To Add Pom Pom Trim To Your Sofa

Did you know that you could customize your sofa on your own just by adding a little bit of decorative trim?

It's an easy DIY and one that adds charm and character to your cottage style couch and your whole room in minutes.


When we moved into this cottage, way back in the early 2000's, I had a multicolored checked couch in my family room.

I bought it when the kids were tiny, in the old house, because, honestly, the pattern was so bold, that if they spilled spaghetti sauce on it, no one would know.

It was perfect for a house full of kids and cats, a dog, a few hermit crabs and a frog.

Of course, after a while that couch needed to be replaced.

Enter my beloved floral sofa.


I think it was the beginning of my true transition to becoming a cottage style devotee and embracing the original design of my 1920's beach charmer.

That boldly patterned piece of furniture became my design muse.

And I adored it.

Unfortunately, after decades of wear and tear it too had to be retired.

And replaced.

Which was not an easy process.

I had my heart set on another floral fabric couch...but I came up empty handed. Even when I tried to go custom.

In the end, I ordered a deliciously bright, green and white checked sofa and plastered the flowers on the wall behind it.

You can get the look with this checked chair or this one.


However.

I'll admit that while the sofa was super charming, something felt off from the minute it was placed in the room.

It just felt a little...cold.

And I couldn't figure out what it was until a few weeks ago.

To be honest, it never dawned on me that it was the actual sofa. I just thought I couldn't find my groove in the room.

So, I changed the curtains several times.

I played musical coffee tables.

I even put up blinds...which did actually help.

I swapped lamps in and out and, in desperation, I tried some colorful trim on the lampshade before I realized what was wrong.

The pom poms didn't belong on the lamp.

They belonged on the sofa.

One silly strand of ball fringe, carefully attached to the bottom of the couch has changed everything.

Now, I know, it sounds a little crazy to customize a sofa I had made to my specifications less than a year ago, but you know what they say...you can take the girl out of the DIY process, but you can't take the DIY out of this girl. 

Here are a few other pom pom trim projects:

• Adding Pom Pom Trim To Curtains
• Adding Pom Pom Trim On A Sink Skirt
• Easy Pom Pom Trim Kitchen Valances
• Pom Pom Trim Apron DIY

Suddenly, the cottage style magic was back, and frankly, better than ever.

That teeny, tiny accent pulled the entire room into focus.

The Room In Process

I was able to clearly see how the room should look, what it should be wearing and how to get there.

I covered the opening in my end cabinet with wallpaper.

I stole the mirror from my bathroom and placed it above.

I brought back my dark wood lamp with the rattan shade and the lace panels to pull it all together.


And I bought four new, well, vintage, green rooster plates, to hang on the empty wall next to the sofa.


Aren't they darling?

In the meantime, yes, I'm still playing with pillows and for now I love the table, but who knows what the next trip to the fabric store will bring my way. I might skirt it.

Or not.

I just know that right now, when I look at that room, I am in love.

If you're curious how I added the trim to the sofa, here's the quick and easy DIY. 

Adding Trim To Your Sofa or Chair

What I love about this project is that it has the power to transform a plain sofa into a showstopper. No upholstery skills or special tools needed.

And keep in mind that you can use this trick to add any kind of trim to any piece of furniture. 


It took me less than 30 minutes to accomplish and if I ever change my mind about it - I won't - it's easily removable without damaging the fabric underneath.

My supplies: scissors, pom pom trim, a few pins, my iron, fusible web tape. 

1. Measure

First I measured the sofa and ordered the pom pom trim online. 

I wanted to make sure that I had a full running length to cover the couch in one piece.

I didn't want any cuts to disrupt the flow. It had to be seamless. 

2. Cut

Next, I cut one end of the trim to make a sharp, neat edge.

3. Pin It

To set the trim in place, I folded over the cut edge and pinned it in place to the piping trim on the edge of the sofa.

4. Iron It

Lastly, I heated up my iron and cut small pieces of the fusible iron on tape and placed them between the trim and the piping.

Then I applied heat to the top of the pop pom trim until the iron on tape was set and the trim was glued in place.

I anchored the other end with a nice clean cut and fold, as well.

I used the iron on tape, because stitching it on could fray or mar the fabric and like I said, I want the option to be able to remove it.

Fabric tape in that small amount will just pull away cleanly, although like I said, I can't ever see myself removing it now that it's up. 

Of course, you should alway spot test first, to make sure your fabric won't be marked if you need to remove it.

Or your could use my other favorite DIY supply, velcro sticky tape to attach the trim to the fabric if it has a wide enough band. I couldn't do that with my couch design, but it's another option.

Tip: If you have a skirted sofa, then you'd just pin and iron it onto the very bottom of the skirt, like I did on my ottoman.


And there you have it.

A quick and simple way to add some cottage style flair to your room by adding trim to your existing furniture.

Sofas, chairs, ottomans, benches.

Pom pom fringe wherever you choose.

😊

Would you add trim to your couch?

Happy Decorating!