You’ve perfected your living room design to complement your layout and have all the big pieces sorted, but there’s something you can’t quite put your finger on... There’s nothing amiss with your lighting, walls or furniture curation; in fact, the sofa is looking quite beautiful. If you feel like there’s something lacking from your design, chances are it’s the decorative touches that finish the look such as your cushions. Fortunately for you, we’re about to spill some interior design tea on how to choose cushions for a sofa and a refined finish.
Why your cushions matter
They might seem trivial, but a tasteful living room isn’t complete without a selection of thoughtfully curated cushions. Whatever space you are decorating, the right match for your sofa and the overall colour palette can introduce a whole new dimension into the space. After all, what’s your dream Harris Tweed armchair or glitzy modern sofa without a few cushions?
There to provide extra comfort, cushion you as you prop up your feet on the coffee table or keep your posture in check, they also have a functional purpose. Not to mention their oft-overlooked ability to subtly alter the vibe of a space. Your sofa is one of the most frequently used social hubs in the home, so you want to style it just right.
Perfecting your colour scheme: Cushion colour combinations
Before we get into how to choose cushions for your sofa, let’s consider your colour options. With the entire rainbow at our disposal, it helps to get selective.
What colour cushions go with a brown leather sofa?
There are many routes to take with a brown leather sofa. You could soften things with lighter, neutrals, bring out the earthiness with mustard yellow or go for something deeply indulgent like a royal purple or peacock blues and greens.
What colour cushions go with a grey sofa?
Grey sofas command a sense of effortless style and timelessness. To brighten up the scheme, you might want to introduce pops of gleeful colour like teals and yellows that you can match with similar accents such as curtains or a feature wall.
What colour cushions go with a navy sofa?
Navy sofas look wonderful in living rooms that ooze contemporary fun. There’s the classic pairing of yellow and blue or orange and blue for those who want to go big and bold. For those after a more subtle combination, greys and neutrals blend in beautifully and create a little depth.
What colour cushions go with a cream sofa?
If you want to stay safe within the neutral zone, browns, blacks and greys are safe choices – plus they’ll marry perfectly with all sorts of wooden furniture. To add a bit of warmth try shades of blush pink, red and orange.
What colour cushions go with a green sofa?
An emerald green sofa requires a beautiful set of cushions that match up to the grandeur of the material. Blues are the obvious choice, but textured pinks and mellow yellows also create an inviting impression. Draw inspiration from nature – what hues go with green in the natural world? – and work from there.
What colour cushions go with red sofa?
Red is a commanding presence in a room that can either be dressed up with other bright colours or neutralised with softer tones. Creams, beiges and oranges are common choices, but greys and monotone patterns equally delight the eyes.
What colour cushions go with a tweed sofa?
Tweed sofas are hugely sought after thanks to their intriguing blend of luxury and countryside allure. Harris tweed or tartan pillows have long been the popular choice for this material, but other options include tweed and leather combinations, a teal blue, lavender or something bold if you’re feeling brave.
How to choose cushions for your sofa: 5 considerations for diligent shoppers
Since the pandemic, cushion sales have gone through the roof as we’ve collectively revaluated the importance of home comfort. And cushions are an instant way to prioritise relaxation around the house as we angle for cosier and more restful spaces. To achieve just that you’ll need to weigh up the following considerations.
1. Material
There is a huge variety of cushion fabric types on the market, and whilst they may fit anywhere in your home, they work particularly well on the sofa. It goes without saying that your cushion must not only fit the room, but the need too. This might mean plush velvet covers to add a hint of reflective sheen, an organic cotton or linen to match a nature-inspired interior or a more decorative silk or wool.
2. Texture
Along with material comes texture. Are you looking for additional textures to add depth and make things a bit more interesting? Then why not experiment with different pillowcases? Smooth, plush cushions work wonderfully alongside a modern interior, whilst a vintage tassel cushion would be more suited to a boho living room.
3. Firmness
The ‘hardness’ (or softness) of a cushion can have a significant bearing on the level of comfort you experience as you kick back on the sofa. Make sure to check reviews to see if they retain their initial firmness over time or whether they lose any of their structural quality.
Conversely, you might want to go towards the other end of the spectrum with an especially plush or downy collection of throw pillows to compensate for support and softness if your couch is lacking in that department.
4. Quality
This is a given, if your cushions aren’t up to scratch what’s the point of the investment? When shopping around for pillows, this really should be at the front of your mind – try to avoid the temptation of buying super cheap pillows online, when you could purchase a collection that will last for so much longer. After all, a decision that leads to an enduring sense of love and care is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly one.
5. Shape
We interior design enthusiasts love shape and its transformative powers can never be understated. If you want to sprinkle an extra layer of visual interest into the room, try experimenting with a variety of cushion shapes. Pair traditional squares with round shapes to create an eye-catching contrast, tying them together with a shared theme or palette.
How to arrange cushions for a relaxed and intimate feel in a few simple steps
We’ve discussed choosing the right cushions for the job, but what arrangements work best? Well, here’s how to arrange cushions on your sofa for a natural and professional feel.
1. Don’t neglect the planning
Before you log into your favourite online retailer and fill up your basket, really think about the considerations we laid out earlier and which combinations work best.
2. Settle on the colour scheme
Using our pointers about palettes and colour combinations between your sofa and cushions, pick your colour scheme. Select a few complementary shades that will work together and reference them when you shop around.
3. Go from bottom to top
A good place to start when it comes to arranging cushions is by creating a base layer of colour – this could be a handful of cushions in the same or a similar shade that pairs beautifully with your sofa fabric and materials. The softest and largest pillows will do the trick here, creating a wonderful canvas for the more detailed or patterned pillows laid on top.
4. Introduce layers
Yep, it’s time to layer them on. On top of your base layer, you can get creative with a secondary colour choice and some smaller ones with patterns or contrasting designs. Those on top can be your focal point with some interesting details that reflect your personality and catch the eye.
5. The finishing touches
Now you’ve selected your traditional squares and rectangles, get ready to mix things up. By investing in one feature cushion or ‘showstopper’, if you will, you can create a natural focal point in the centre of your sofa and angle towards a finished and harmonious feel. Often designers will opt for a bold pop of colour to lighten the mood or, in period properties, an embroidered pillowcase that matches a floral or botanic theme.
Whichever cushion you choose for this standout moment make sure it speaks to you. Whether a printed slogan, contemporary pattern or something with a more handmade feel inspired by the rise of crochet, the possibilities are endless.
What if you want to make things formal?
Sometimes a hint of formality is welcome in a modernist décor or in a lovely period country living room, for example. Arrange them symmetrically or select an even number with a central cushion in the middle of the arrangement to add some drama.
How many cushions do you need for your sofa?
It depends on who you ask. For instance, if you went to the designer Brandi Wilkins, he’d say that an excess of cushions and throws is cluttered and disorganised with 2-4 pillows being more than enough in most cases. Of course, this depends on the size of the sofa and whether it is a two-seater vs. a sprawling L-shaped sofa or chaise.
Should sofa cushions match?
Really, it’s up to you! Whether you opt for a matching set or the organised chaos of a unique assortment, they can each accentuate the merits of your existing interior design. For example, matching sets in bright colours will breathe life into a uniform or modern décor scheme, whilst odd pillows exude their own eclectic charm.
Pop your feet up and relax
Now you know how to choose the right cushions for your sofa and arrange them tastefully, all that’s left is to put the kettle on, make a cuppa and pop up your feet to relax.
