How to arrange your cushions at home

Cushions are what Vogue magazine calls an “interior designer’s secret weapon”. They can soften the edges of a room that’s otherwise packed with wood or metal furniture, and for large, spacious rooms, cushions can bring it all together and add a sense of cosiness and welcome.

But it’s also possible to make a room too busy and cluttered if you don’t use your cushions properly. Here are a few tips from experts on how to arrange your cushions for the best effect.

 

Less is more

This is often the case in the world of interiors.

While cushions are undoubtedly a wonderful way of softening a room and adding interest, too many can be disastrous. If a guest sits on your sofa and is immediately engulfed in a pillowy nest of fabric, that’s not necessarily the best welcome you can offer. Plus, if you stack cushions or add too many to one area, they can completely dominate the room.

Consider having just one cushion per sofa or chair seat, or two at most but have them in different sizes or shapes.

If you’re adding cushions to your bed, make them smaller than the pillows and have somewhere to store them at bedtime. Otherwise, you can end up with a bedroom floor covered in scatter pillows — the opposite of the tidy, beautiful home you’re looking for.

 

Colours — Contrasting or complementary?

An ongoing debate with interior designers is whether accessories should blend into an existing colour scheme or stand out. The answer is, of course, that it’s entirely up to you.

If you have a room decorated in neutral tones, then adding more of those shades can help keep a cohesive theme. This is great for peaceful, zen-like spaces.

However, contrasting colours do make a room more interesting. An orange or bright yellow cushion against natural wood or cream, for example, speaks of passion and energy. Blues and greens also bring a pop of colour and can even help you create a nautical interior design scheme.

Contrasting patterns can work well too. Stylish living expert Luke Edward Hall says that if you’ve got wallpaper with a small pattern on, look for cushions with a larger, bolder pattern. They’ll stand out and draw the eye, helping you accentuate whichever areas of a room you like.

Fabrics matter

One of the best things about cushions is that they’re not just for looking at. You can sit on them, lean on them, or snuggle up to them when watching telly with your loved ones. How they feel is important, which means considering what fabrics you want.

Soft, tactile fabrics like chenille or velvet are probably the most suitable for “snuggly” cushions. Just be aware that with regular use, the pile on these fabrics can wear with repeated friction from touching and being moved around.

For a sleeker look, satin cushions and cushion covers are a great choice. They’re also generally affordable, as most satin-type fabrics are synthetic or semi-synthetic — often a budget option in comparison to cotton or linen.

Other considerations are embellishments on the cushion. For example, do you like a fringe, or should it be smooth all over? Fringes are popular for cushions as they add interest and another tactile layer. However, they can be tricky to clean and maintain.

 

Source your cushions from a trusted retailer

Cushions can completely transform a space and they’re the ultimate alternative to major reupholstery projects. You can look at a faded, dowdy chair and decide to spend £1000s on renovating it. Or, you could just invest in a few high-quality, eye-catching cushions to add new life to that area of your home.

With the rising cost of living in the UK still an issue for many households, the cheaper option is usually the most desirable. And, with the right cushions, it can also be the better-looking option.

Make sure you purchase your cushions from a retailer with a great range so you can find exactly what you need to complement your interior design choices. Ideally, they should offer cushions to suit a range of budgets, including some from designer brands.

Remember, a huge pile of cushions in one room is likely to dominate, so use them strategically to add colour and softness throughout your home. Cushions really are the super-tool of the savvy homemaker.