How to style cushions

Cushions sound easy, but when they’re wrong they’re so, so wrong. Want to get them right? Here’s how.

Use cushions as a full stop

Just like a sentence isn’t complete without a full stop, a room isn’t complete without a finishing touch – like cushions. “Use your cushions to bring the room together,” advises Tessa White, from online retailer Down That Little Lane. The simplest way to do that is with colour. “Choose a colour that highlights your favourite piece of art or your prized possession in the room. Whether it is a stunning vase or an awesome light fitting, by matching the colours the eye will be drawn to both items and it will create a feeling of harmony in the room,” says White.

Cushions can complement your colour scheme. Photo: Down That Little Lane

A fusion of colour

When you have a pile of cushions, think carefully about your colour choices. But whether you want to match your selections or go for a more eclectic look is completely up to you. “If you love the riot of colour and are happy to clash them all up then go for gold,” White says. If you have a particular colour palette you’d prefer to stick with, that can work really well too. Whatever you think your home and your personality can pull off with cushion colouring is the perfect combination for you.

Mix and match your cushions. Photo: Down That Little Lane

Aaron Lee, from Prinkbox, adds that it’s all about balance. “Balancing the elements is what’s needed to bring cohesion to complete your curated look,” he says of his colour suggestions. “Blending soft and bold colour tones is a must.”

Blend soft and bold colour tones. Photo: Prinkbox

Have a feature cushion

Another option for selecting your cushion collection is to start with one cushion that you love and build around it. This idea of having a feature cushion isn’t too crazy but still gives you a chance to show your style and personality. “You could have a feature cushion that is more about texture or pattern and support it with others that are plain but in the same hue,” White suggests.

Goose feather cushions create a talking point. Photo: Prinkbox

This is a great way to have fun with a statement you want your room to make, and it’s a great talking point with visitors as well. “It’s a cost effective solution to make a statement without the need for a major overhaul,” says Lee.

Have fun with cushion styling. Photo: Prinkbox

Create a scene

You can even use your cushions to create a piece of scenery. For example, one current trend is to bring the outdoors inside, and you can use your accessories to do this. “Living art is trending at the moment,” explains Lee, “including designs inspired by nature that bring the outdoors indoors through contemporary designs.”

Create a scene. Photo: Prinkbox

How many is too many?

The question on everyone’s lips since the beginning of cushion styling is: how many should you have? The answer, of course, is that it’s a completely personal choice. “Speak to the boys and one is too many but us girls, we’ll never say never!” says White, laughing. If you’re looking for a classic place to start, she suggests this rule: “I like four on a sofa (two at each end) and three on a bed (in front of four pillows).”

Classic cushion styling. Photo: Down That Little Lane