There are a few common ways to hide staples in upholstery. You can use decorative welting (also known as cording or piping), decorative trim or upholstery tack strips.
The method you choose will be based on the overall look you’re trying to achieve. Tack strips, which are flexible stips with teeth and holes in them, can be tacked on over top of staples to cover them. Tack strips can be used on both straight and curved areas making them perfect for couches and chairs. Fabric strips are typically glued over top of the stapled area. Welting goes all around the perimeter of the furniture not only hiding staples but also adding a certain flair and giving the piece a finished look. Contrasting colors and accent colors add design qualities that can elevate your piece and make it look unique. You can buy pre-made welting from upholstery shops or you can make your own welting. Making your own welting may come in handy if you can’t find a color that matches your fabric just right. Making the welting can be done by sewing cord found at fabric stores.
Upholstery trim comes in almost endless varieties allowing you to combine the style of the trim and fabric to have any look you want. You can be as creative as you wish whether you’re going for bold patterns or streamlined color blocks, you can be traditional, contemporary or ultra-modern. The most wonderful thing about reupholstering furniture is that you get to take pieces you love and restore them to keep for years to come or revive thrifty or vintage “finds” into new pieces that match your taste and style. Upholstery trim is fairly simple to apply. You need to use glue designed specifically for fabric. These specialty glues can be found at fabric and craft stores as well as online.