Cushions are an essential part of Decorating and Design. They’re an excellent way to introduce colour, texture and pattern to a space, as well as convey a sense of personality. Selecting and styling cushions is something I get asked about all the time, so I have outlined some suggestions to help you get it right when selecting the shape, style and arrangement.
The Shape and Size
There are a lot of different options on the market, but I tend to find square cushions are the most versatile, and always timeless. There are a lot of sizes available, but my rule of thumb is to select cushions that are roughly 500mm x 500mm in size - they are the perfect size for beds and sofas, and readily available.
The Feel
It is important not to overlook cushion inserts when making your selection - opt for either full feather inserts, or a combination of foam and feather as this will make the cushion both look and feel opulent where a plain foam or fibre filling will quickly collapse with use.
The Colour, Pattern and Texture
Take cues from your interior when selecting cushions. If you’ve got a very neutral base, this might be your opportunity to add some colour, or create some drama with some lustrous velvet or a bold pattern. Identify colours in your art, accessories or even the view to use as inspiration for your selections, this will create a more cohesive look. I like to stick to one hue and use a variety of complimentary tones in various textures which creates a more subtle layered effect when compared to matching colours directly. For a designer flourish, combine organic with geometric patterns and feel free to mix in the occasional solid colour cushion into the mix.
The quantity
It’s easy to ‘over-cushion’ when there are so many incredible options available. My general rule of thumb when it comes to formal or more traditional spaces is to use four cushions for a two-seater sofa , and six for a three-seater divided up into two groups on either end. If you’re in a more contemporary setting, you can get away with one cushion for each seat on the sofa, particularly where sectional sofas are concerned. In the bedroom, two work best on a queen size bed, where as three are better for a king-size.
The Position
Sectional sofas are more relaxed so, I like to be more casual about the placement, placing them along the sofa at various points - this has a much more contemporary connotation. For a two and three seater sofa, place two or three cushions respectively against each arm, one in front of the other on a roughly forty five degree angle. In the bedroom, I place them directly in front of the pillows. For that designer flourish, perform a gentle “chop” with the side of your hand into the top of each cushion. This gives each cushion some shape and changes the form. Lastly, make sure you always place the cushions flat and not on angled like a diamond.
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