How do you style cushions on a sofa?
This is such a popular question to ask and for good reason. The answer is not always obvious and without any guidelines you could be wasting your money on the wrong cushions that won’t give you the look you are after.
Firstly, you need to consider the size of the sofa. A sofa measuring between 140cm to 170cm in length, typically seating 2 people, 3 at a push, will look best with 5 cushions.These are often referred to as ‘love seats’. The rule of thumb I like to use is four 50 x 50cm cushions and then one rectangular cushion measuring 35 x 50cm. This will actually work on a low or high back sofa. In this instance it can work well to have pairs of different cushions and then one central, in this instance (see above) a rectangular cushion.
There are a couple of options to consider when you tackle the next question which is your choice of cushion colour, fabric and texture. So this part of the decision making process requires you to have an idea of how you would like your finished room to look. Are you looking to create a modern minimalist room or is your style more casual and relaxed, or maybe you are drawn towards an English heritage look that is eclectic and involves a mixture of styles and texture? Recently, designers have been using clashing bright colours and then maybe mixing geometric patterns with florals engendering that eclecticism. Whichever way you choose to go here, it really is a good idea to spend some time looking at sources of inspiration so you can nail it down.
If your look is minimalist/modern, then you might consider using the same fabric and colour for all your cushions and possibly swapping out the rectangular cushion for a fifth 50 x 50cm cushion. Another option here, is to choose a colour but then find different textures in that colour so the overall effect is calm but sophisticated. This can be achieved using different velvets, woven chenilles and wools.
Developing an impactful display of cushions to add a certain wow factor to your room can be fun. In these circumstances you need to consider the colour scheme for the whole room and compliment it maybe with a contrasting colour maybe on the opposite side of the colour wheel. Another option would be to then pick florals to sit next to checks or a herringbone weave and think of it rather like an outfit in terms of judging how well the different fabrics sit next to each other.
If your look is casual and relaxed then you might like to consider linen cushions and of course, these come in multiple styles, from plain, to striped and checked to floral but sticking to the one type of fabric ensures your overall look is cohesive and appealing.
When considering cushions for a larger sofa, say the three seater, measuring between 180cm to 230cm, the number of cushions depends on if you are more comfortable sitting with cushions to support you. If this is the case I would suggest using five 50cm x 50cm cushions and a pair of smaller 45 x 45cm cushions. I like to introduce different textures and colours and would do two pairs of different cushions and then a third individual cushion to sit centrally around which the other cushions are placed symmetrically.
A four seater sofa, measuring between 230cm to 260cm is best dressed with larger cushions. Of course the mixture of textures, colours can play well here, or it is an opportunity to be strict and restrict the look to all the same fabric. However you will probably need to up the number of cushions to nine or eleven depending on the sofa’s size.
The only question remaining is whether to do the karate chop on your cushions! That, of course, comes down to personal taste. It certainly adds to the feeling of sumptuousness and plumpness as the feather inner takes on a deeper appearance. Sometimes I do and sometimes I don’t!