You've bough the most in-trend design styles – big colourful stripes, think fringes, velvet trims – but do you really know how to style your cushions to make them really stand out?
Cushions are, in many cases, the afterthought of an interior scheme; but they can have a significant effect on the overall look of a room. “Cushions for interior designers are like the jewellery or handbag you choose to go with an outfit, enhancing furniture to look its best,” says Ottalie Stride, creative director at interior design firm Albion Nord,
Known for designing the most eye-catching living rooms, designer Dara Huang agrees: “Styling cushions is an art form that can transform any space from ordinary to extraordinary. Cushions add dimension and depth to your furniture, creating layers of comfort and visual interest.”
But to perfect that art form, you need to know how many is too many, whether you should mix or match, and if the karate chop cushion trick is over. Here are five modern rules for successful cushion styling, according to the experts.
1. What cushion size is best for the sofa?
“We would rarely go smaller than 50 x 50cm for a square cushion; it’s important that cushions are big and comfort-enhancing, rather than hard and cumbersome,” says Stride. “We tend to use larger bolster cushions on beds to help tie a scheme together. Using bolster cushion means you have fewer decorative cushions to take on and off the bed at the end of the day.”
As for how many to scatter on your sofa, “There isn't a specific rule on the number of cushions, it all depends on the size of the piece of furniture you're dressing,” she says. “You don't want so many you can't sit, and you don't want too few that there isn't comfort and it looks too sparse.”
2. How to mix and match cushions
A uniform row of matching cushions along the back of a sofa denotes something of a lack of imagination. Instead, “There should be a mix of sizes and combinations of rectangles and squares,” says the interior designer Nicola Harding, known for her varied and dynamic interior schemes.
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As well as mixing different sizes and shapes, go for contrasts in colour and texture, too. Dara Huang goes into detail: “On your couch, you might place two larger, neutral-toned cushions at the back, with smaller, more vibrant cushions in front to add a pop of colour. On your bed, layer cushions by placing two large shams against the headboard, followed by standard pillows, and finishing with decorative throw pillows in various sizes and textures. This thoughtful arrangement not only adds a luxurious feel but also makes your space feel cosy and well-appointed.”
3. How to style cushions? Well, layer up
“Start with larger cushions at the back, then layer smaller ones in front, to add dimension and create a cosy, comfortable atmosphere,” is the advice of the London-based designer Juliette Byrne.
Stride agrees: “We tend to have our go-to style ‘base’ cushions which can be layered on top with smaller accent cushions or cushions with stronger patterns. The base cushions we use tend to be single-coloured velvet or linen with a contrast brush fringe. We love to use brush fringes for texture on a plain cushion when you don’t want to use a larger patterned fabric.”
4. Refresh your room decor instantly with cushions
A room can start to feel stale if it isn’t freshened up visually from time to time, and swapping cushions is the quickest way to make a style change. Make like the Scandinavians and adjust your furnishings to suit the seasons. “Swap out covers to reflect different seasons or moods; this could be lighter linens in the spring and summer seasons and darker richer velvets in the winter,” advises Byrne.
5. Don't ‘chop’ your cushions… plump them instead
The ‘karate chop’ cushion styling trick spotted in many a showhome apartment came about as a way of demonstrating the quality of the filling: a sharp chop is proof that the cushion is stuffed with feathers or down, rather than cheap foam that would bounce back. But designers are in agreement that the karate chop has had its day.
“I like cushions to have a small dent, but not something as harsh as a chop,” says designer Lucinda Sanford. Nicola Harding agrees: “My personal preference is for more of a punch than a chop.”
A light plump around the edges, followed by a punch in the middle, is the accepted modern technique to demonstrate the quality of a cushion and make it look inviting – not to mention an eminently satisfying way to style your sofa at the end of a long day.
