Get the right look: How to style cushions on a sofa?


Sofa with cushions

Sofas are an important part of any living room space. They provide the perfect place for family and friends to gather around and share meaningful conversations, as well as being a cozy spot for reading a book or watching movies. If you're looking for a great item to add some unique style and comfort to your sofa, then consider adding some cushions! Not only will they make your sofa look more inviting, but they can also add extra colour, striking patterns, or textures to your space. Plus, they're an easy way to change up your room if you ever get bored with your current decor.


Living room with cushions

For your sofa to look its best, you have to get the right arrangement of cushions on it. Whether you have one large cushion or many small ones, having the right amount and type of cushions on your sofa can give it a boost in appearance while making it more comfortable to sit on. Here are some helpful tips when arranging cushions on a sofa so that it looks pleasing and feels cozy at any time.

Choose a colour scheme

Decide on a few colours that you want to use for your cushion styling. You can either stick to one colour family or mix and match different colours. Consider the room's existing decor before choosing a colour palette. If you're going for a bolder look, choose a bright hue such as red, orange, yellow, or green. If you prefer a more subtle approach, opt for pastels or neutrals.

Biru - Blue & Turquoise Ikat Cushion from Bali and Tapak - Royal Blue Ikat Cushion from Bali
Featured cushions:
Biru - Blue & Turquoise Ikat Cushion from Bali
Tapak - Royal Blue Ikat Cushion from Bali

Play with patterns and textures

Don't be afraid to mix and match different patterns and textures. This is a great way to add interest to your sofa. The first thing to consider is whether you want a look that's chic and minimalist, traditional and eclectic, or contemporary but plush. Different combinations will achieve different effects.

Harris Tweed and Ikat Cushions

Featured cushions:
Burdock - Brown & Beige Houndstooth Harris Tweed Cushion
Bartsia - Pink Check Harris Tweed Cushion from the Outer Hebrides
Lichen - Green Herringbone Harris Tweed Cushion
Peat - Rich Brown with Red Check Harris Tweed Cushion
Plumeria - Orange & Cream Ikat Cushion from Bali

Use different sizes and shapes

Mixing different sizes and shapes of cushions is also a great way to add interest. Try using both square and rectangular cushions, or even mixing up the sizes of the cushions

Sumba - Indigo Hand Woven Ikat Cushion,  Ombak - Traditional Hand-Woven Indigo Ikat Cushion and Frangipani - Fuchsia Pink Hand Embroidered Cushion

Featured cushions:
Sumba - Indigo Hand Woven Ikat Cushion
Ombak - Traditional Hand-Woven Indigo Ikat Cushion
Frangipani - Fuchsia Pink Hand Embroidered Cushion

Get creative with placement

Be creative with how you place your cushions on the sofa. You can arrange them in a traditional way or get creative and mix things up. You may find yourself rearranging things as you get further into your interior design project, but that is totally fine. You can also add other decoration ideas like flower vases or candles and lamps that may suit well with your preferred arrangement.

Thimphu - Burgundy, Orange & Green Woven Cushion from Bhutan, Adenium - Burgundy & Yellow Ikat Cushion from Bali, Lichen - Green Herringbone Harris Tweed Cushion and Plumeria - Orange & Cream Ikat Cushion from Bali

Featured cushions:
Thimphu - Burgundy, Orange & Green Woven Cushion from Bhutan
Adenium - Burgundy & Yellow Ikat Cushion from Bali
Lichen - Green Herringbone Harris Tweed Cushion
Plumeria - Orange & Cream Ikat Cushion from Bali

How you arrange cushions on your sofa can have an impact on the overall look of the room and its style. It’s extremely helpful to do your research to take a closer look at the various kinds of cushions and what each of them does. By familiarizing yourself with the different options, you can better understand how to choose the cushion arrangement that best suits your space and needs.

Few things to keep in mind when styling cushions on a sofa…

Sofa with cushions 

Cushions are a great way to add style and personality to your sofa, but they can quickly become an eyesore if you don’t arrange them correctly. Here are some tips on how to keep cushions from falling over, or just looking like general clutter on your sofa.

First, consider the overall look you're going for. Are you going for a minimalist look or something more elaborate? This may sound like an obvious one, but before you start arranging the cushions on your sofa, it's important to take some time and figure out what style you are going for. Are you looking for clean lines? Bold patterns? You can even use multiple styles in one room. Once you have figured out what aesthetic you want to go with, it's time to start placing the cushions.

Sofa with cushions

Then once you've decided on a style, choose your cushion fabric accordingly. For example, if you're going for a minimalist look, choose a plain fabric in a subtle colour. On the other end of the spectrum, if you're going for an elaborate look, choose a patterned fabric in a bold colour.

Next, you'll want to make sure that the cushions you choose coordinate well with the rest of your decor. You don't want them to stick out like a sore thumb!

Sofa with cushions

After that, you'll want to pay attention to the size and shape of your cushions. Make sure they're not too big or too small for your sofa, and that they fit well within the overall aesthetic of your space. In terms of usability, there are many factors to consider when deciding how to arrange cushions, including the size of the sofa and whether it has arms; the number of people expected at any given time; whether there will be little ones crawling around or sitting in your lap; and how you want people seated at opposite ends to feel about one another.

Sofa with cushions

Finally, have fun with it! Cushions are a great way to experiment with different colours and patterns, so don't be afraid to play around until you find something you love.

When it comes to interior design for sofas, less is often more- too much clutter can be distracting and claustrophobic. It's best to keep things simple.

Different approaches to cushion arrangement on a sofa

Sofa with cushions

The cushions on your sofa are the difference between a comfortable piece of furniture and an uncomfortable one and making sure that they’re arranged properly makes it easier to sit and relax in your home. It’s easy to get confused about how to arrange your cushions when you’re purchasing a new sofa or rearranging the cushions on an existing piece of furniture, but these ideas will help you figure out the best way to put them where you want them. Here’s what you’ll need to know about cushion arrangement ideas for your sofa. 

  1. Multi-layered approach - When you're arranging the cushions on your sofa, it's important to have them evenly distributed. Start by placing the seat cushion at the front of the sofa and then place two arm pillows behind it. Finally, you can place two decorative cushions at either end of the back of your sofa.
  2. Centralised - A common arrangement is to place the central cushion in the middle of the sofa. To get a more symmetrical look, place two smaller cushions on either side of the central cushion, with one larger cushion on each end. If you want to add colour or pattern to your sofa, try using different-sized and coloured cushions to create a fun and interesting design.
  3. Paired arrangement – This is when you put together two cushions of identical size (or not). This arrangement is perfect for when you have a sofa with no armrests or arms. You can either place them on either end of the sofa or next to each other in a row down the middle.
  4. Cushion Trio – This arrangement usually consists of two large, low-backed cushions on either end with a thinner, higher-backed middle cushion in the center or vice versa. This arrangement provides ample legroom and an added place to sit. If your sofa has a very high back or is situated against a wall, you may want to place one large cushion behind it to act as a headrest.
  5. Hybrid - If you have a roomy couch or sofa, you may want to try mixing the arrangements mentioned above. This way, you can fully customise the style and usability of your space without sticking to just one type of arrangement.

Sofa with cushions

If you're looking for a way to add a little extra flair to your sofa, why not try styling it with cushions? Cushions are a great way to express your personality in any space in your home. It's a simple way to give your furniture a new look, and it doesn't take much effort. They come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colours, so you can find the perfect ones to match your sofa. Cushions can also be used to accessorize a plain spot. With these tips, you'll be able to create a stylish and unique look that will make your living room stand out from the rest.

Here in The World in Cushions, we value the story of how each fabric is made by the local artisans and the relevance that it brings to textile culture. This is our way of helping local craftspeople from across the globe to reach and connect with fabric lovers and art enthusiasts out there. If you have any comments or suggestions, feel free to leave a message below. We can't wait to hear what you have to say!

Happy styling from The World In Cushions!


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