Local Shades & Blinds
Cornices
Want to crown your windows with tailored elegance? Looking for a more architectural way to conceal shades or hardware while adding visual impact? Upholstered cornices bring together form, fabric, and function—delivering a sophisticated finishing touch that makes any room feel fully designed. At Local Shades and Blinds, we custom-build upholstered cornices to your exact dimensions, fabric, and style preferences. Whether your space calls for bold structure or soft detailing, cornices offer the perfect blend of luxury and precision.
What Is an Upholstered Cornice?
An upholstered cornice is a structured, fabric-covered box—usually crafted from wood or MDF—that mounts above a window to create a polished, architectural finish. More than just decorative, cornices serve multiple purposes: they conceal curtain rods, shade mechanisms, or blinds, while framing the top of the window with a clean, tailored look. By introducing color, pattern, or texture, a cornice can add visual interest and help tie a room’s design together. They’re also effective at adding height or symmetry to a space, anchoring full-length drapes or shades for a cohesive, custom appearance. Unlike valances, which hang loosely, upholstered cornices are firm and structured, giving them a refined, built-in presence that feels intentional and elevated.
Why Choose an Upholstered Cornice?
An upholstered cornice adds architectural presence to your windows, creating a tailored and elegant finish that elevates the entire room. The fabric covering softens the look of the space without appearing overly casual, striking the perfect balance between refinement and comfort. With countless fabric and trim options available, cornices can be customized to either coordinate seamlessly with your shades and furniture or provide a bold contrast that draws the eye. They’re particularly effective in layered designs, pairing beautifully with blinds, drapes, or sheers while concealing the hardware above roller shades, Roman shades, or drapery rods. Each cornice is built to your exact specifications, ensuring a flawless fit and proportion. Because they remain fixed in place, they don’t require daily handling or adjustment, offering lasting style with minimal effort. Upholstered cornices are ideal for homeowners who want their window treatments to feel integrated into the architecture of the room, making a bold design statement that’s as functional as it is beautiful.
Ideal Rooms for Upholstered Cornices
Upholstered cornices are versatile enough to enhance both residential and commercial spaces, bringing structure and style wherever they’re used. In living rooms, they frame large windows with tailored sophistication, while in dining rooms they add height and a sense of formality when paired with layered treatments. Bedrooms benefit from cornices as a finishing crown above blackout drapes or Roman shades, and in home offices they provide a clean, polished look while discreetly concealing functional hardware. For nurseries and kids’ rooms, playful fabrics, bold trims, or vibrant patterns introduce personality and charm. Even transitional areas like hallways and entryways gain proportion and softness when topped with a cornice. In commercial environments such as retail stores, hotels, or office spaces, upholstered cornices make a high-end visual statement that can also be customized to reflect branding. They’re particularly useful in rooms where full-length panels aren’t practical—such as behind furniture or in tight corners—delivering impact and design presence without taking up valuable floor space.
Fabric & Design Options
Upholstered cornices can be tailored with an extensive range of fabrics and design styles, allowing you to create a look that’s as subtle or dramatic as you’d like. Fabric options include timeless choices like linen and linen blends, cotton weaves, and cotton-poly mixes, as well as more luxurious selections such as silk, shantung, velvet, and chenille. For added texture or personality, you can opt for bold prints, damasks, geometrics, or even designer patterns and custom color matches that coordinate with your furniture, drapery, or shades. The design of the cornice itself can also be customized to reflect your style. A flat face creates a clean, modern profile, while scalloped or arched designs introduce softness and curve. For a more tailored or architectural feel, details like keyhole shapes, boxed profiles, or angled corners add dimension. Cornices can also be crafted in different heights—from slimline to oversized statements—and with return depths measured precisely to accommodate the blinds or shades mounted underneath. Each cornice is upholstered by hand, giving you full control over every design element, right down to the inch, for a one-of-a-kind result that feels custom-built for your space.
Trim, Accents & Customization
Upholstered cornices can be elevated with rich finishing details that transform them from a simple window topper into a true design feature. Contrast piping or welting can define the edges with subtle sophistication, while nailhead trim offers options ranging from sleek and modern to rustic or formal. For a more vintage or classic look, button tufting adds dimension and timeless luxury. Inset banding in a coordinating or contrasting fabric provides a tailored touch, while decorative braid or fringe softens the profile with traditional charm. Cornices can also be upholstered in fabrics that either match or coordinate with your drapery or shades, creating a cohesive, layered effect. During your consultation, we’ll help you select the perfect accents so your cornice not only integrates seamlessly with your décor but also stands out as a polished design element in its own right.
How They’re Built
Our upholstered cornices are crafted with the same attention to detail you’d expect from fine furniture. Each one begins with a solid wood or MDF frame, providing strength and stability that will last for years. The frame is padded with high-density batting to create soft, elegant contours before being wrapped in your chosen fabric with precise seam work for a flawless finish. Trim can be added in either a matching or contrasting style, giving you complete control over the final look. Once complete, the cornice is mounted using hidden hardware, creating a floating, streamlined installation that feels both tailored and refined. To ensure a perfect fit, we take on-site measurements of every window, including the return depth—the sides of the cornice—so that the finished piece fully conceals the shades, drapery rods, or window depth beneath it. The result is a polished, architectural detail that’s as functional as it is beautiful.
Pairing Cornices with Other Window Treatments
Cornices are a versatile design element that work beautifully as a finishing touch for a wide variety of window treatments. They can conceal the exposed tubes of roller or solar shades, adding a polished, architectural presence, or frame the soft folds of Roman shades with added structure. When paired with drapery panels—especially pleated or ripplefold styles—cornices create a layered, designer look that feels both intentional and refined. They also complement wood blinds and sheer shades, tying everything together into a cohesive, elevated design. For layered treatments that involve multiple components, cornices are especially effective, concealing the mechanics while showcasing the chosen fabrics. During your free in-home consultation, we’ll help you determine the ideal pairing for both visual appeal and functional performance, ensuring your windows look complete from every angle.
Professional Installation
Every upholstered cornice we provide is installed by our own in-house team, never subcontractors, so you can feel confident it will be done right the first time. We use custom hardware and secure anchors to ensure a stable fit, carefully level each piece for perfect symmetry, and size the return and projection to align seamlessly with the treatments beneath it. For homeowners who want added functionality, optional insulation or blackout lining can also be incorporated to improve thermal performance above the windows. With precise attention to detail and expert craftsmanship, our installation process guarantees that your cornice not only looks flawless but also performs beautifully for years to come.