Interior Designer Secret: Why Tassels for Curtains Make Any Room Look More Expensive

Everyone wants their home to look expensive without spending too much money. I’ve found that curtain tassels are a great way to create a custom, high-end look that raises any room’s appeal.

These decorative elements have shaped interior design trends for decades. Luxury curtain tie backs with tassels symbolize opulence, but you can get the same upscale look by adding tassel trim to pre-made curtain panels at a much lower cost. Modern designs now feature multitier tassels and sleek acrylic beads that make these decorative pieces more versatile than ever.

In this piece, I’ll share expert tips on how curtains with tassels can change your space into one that looks professionally designed, whatever your budget might be.

The History of Tassels in Luxury Decor

Tassels have adorned the finest homes since the 16th century. France’s first Guild of Passementiers started documenting this intricate art form back then. These decorative elements reached their peak during King Louis XIV’s reign in 17th-century France and became symbols of wealth and refinement.

Something remarkable happened during the Restoration period of 1660. People had lived through two decades of austerity and just needed color and novelty in their homes. Rich fringes, cords, and woven lace created glamorous, sculptural effects. These elements balanced proportion and added touches of eccentricity to grand interiors .

The sort of thing I love about tassel-making history is its early craftspeople. Women ran the trimming trade and owned their businesses before 1550. The craft proved profitable, which led men to take control of the industry.

Finding Pompeii and Herculaneum in the late 18th century substantially changed tassel design. Ancient wall paintings inspired new droplet-style elements. Artisans created increasingly intricate designs by the 1800s to meet the growing market demand.

Middle-class homes got their first tassels during the Industrial Revolution, though they stayed luxury items. Materials, rather than labor, drove up the costs. The 270-year-old Passementerie Verrier Paris crafted trims for remarkable properties including:

• The palace of Fontainebleau in France
• Victoria Mansion in Portland, Maine
• The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston

Decorative tassels hit their peak popularity in the 1890s. All the same, these ornate embellishments declined as minimalist design priorities took hold by the mid-twentieth century. Modern interpretations now blend historical grandeur with contemporary style. Tassels are available as a sophisticated addition to window treatments.

Essential Types of Curtain Tassels

Curtain tassels add a distinct touch of elegance to window treatments. You’ll find them in many styles, from classic bullion designs to modern interpretations. These decorative elements look beautiful and serve practical purposes too.

Tieback tassels are the most common type you’ll see. They have an elegant cluster of strings or cords that clump together at one end and hang free at the other. The tassels work as weights at the cord’s bottom and hold curtains back without needing bulky knots.

Bullion tiebacks with molded heads make a sophisticated choice in traditional spaces. These tassels usually have a 31-inch rope spread that works great with heavier drapes. Chainette tassels are versatile and come in different head sizes – small (1-inch diameter), medium (1.5-inch diameter), and large (1-5/8-inch diameter).

Modern interpretations have introduced exciting variations:

• Multitier tassels with tonal pom-poms
• Sleek acrylic bead designs
• Rope tiebacks with pared-down esthetics

The way you place tassels can make a big difference in how they look. Professional designers suggest fixing tiebacks at one-third of the curtain’s height to create beautiful proportions. The tassel’s size should match your curtains – bigger, heavier tassels look great with rich and detailed fabrics.

Materials are vital in tassel selection. Options include:

• Rayon for luxurious sheen
• Natural cotton for casual elegance
• Jute for rustic charm
• Metallic finishes in gold and silver

Most decorative tiebacks come with an 18 to 34-inch rope length. This gives you enough material to gather and secure curtains properly. Remember that these tassels work best with curtains rather than blinds.

Your room’s existing decor should guide your color choices. Today’s tassels come in many shades, from classic antique gold to bright modern colors. This variety helps them blend smoothly with any interior design style.

Expert Tips for Styling Tassels

Becoming skilled at tassel placement can turn basic curtains into stunning focal points. Professional designers suggest positioning them strategically to create visual harmony in your space.

A smart approach uses tassels as weights at the bottom of curtain cords. This eliminates bulky knots and keeps an elegant drape. The tassels’ colors should match your room accessories like throw pillows to create a unified design story.

Creative Placement Ideas:

• Style tassels on curtain rods or finials
• Use as elegant drapery tiebacks
• Incorporate into roman shade pulls
• Add to the corners of decorative pillows
• Hang from posted beds for dramatic effect

Tassels go beyond traditional curtain uses with versatile decorating options. They look great on doorknobs, cabinet hardware, and table lamps. These small details help rooms feel more polished and well-designed.

Modern interpretations bring a fresh perspective. You’ll find multitier designs, tonal pom-poms, and sleek acrylic beads that add playful sophistication to window treatments. These updated styles show that tassels can stay current while keeping their classic appeal.

Your tassel colors should complement the existing decor scheme. This coordination creates visual flow between spaces and hints at colors behind closed doors. But use restraint – tassels work best as subtle accents in your design story.

Proper placement is vital to maintain your tassels’ luxurious look. Place tiebacks at one-third of the curtain height to achieve optimal visual balance. This creates graceful draping and keeps the fabric secure.

Tassels can raise the appeal of existing furniture and window treatments. They add sophistication through subtle detail. This makes them perfect to achieve an upscale look without renovating the entire room.

Conclusion

Tassels add sophistication to any room as timeless decorative elements. These elegant accessories are a great way to get that coveted high-end look without breaking the bank.

Curtain tassels showcase their magic through versatility. They lift window treatments while serving practical purposes when paired with traditional bullion designs or modern acrylic interpretations. Their adaptability to different design styles makes them a worthwhile investment for home decorators.

The right placement maximizes their effect on the overall design. The one-third height rule works best for tiebacks. You should coordinate colors carefully with existing decor and think about using tassels beyond curtains – they work beautifully on doorknobs, lamps, and decorative pillows.

Tassels maintain their centuries-old tradition of bringing refinement to interiors. Their rich history and modern adaptations show how true style endures while evolving with contemporary tastes. A simple pair of elegant tiebacks or multiple tassel applications will upgrade your room’s esthetic appeal instantly.