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Decor Tips: How to Choose the Perfect Cushions for Your Living Space

Published by Clive Braude on 26th May 2015

If you’ve just purchased a  new sofa, you’re probably starting to think about how you can accessorize your sofa to add some extra flair to your space. A great set of cushions can be an attractive (and cosy) addition to a sofa, and by knowing how to pair cushions to your sofa, you can create a fantastic ensemble that pulls a room together. Here’s how you can choose the very best cushions for your sofa that look great and offer the very best in comfort.

Cushions That Match the Sofa Print? Toss ‘Em

Nothing looks as ugly as  cushions that are playing Where’s Waldo with your sofa. Cushion patterns that match your sofa print make the cushions blend in with the sofa, which causes the sofa to look bulgy. It’s also a terrible waste of a great opportunity to inject some style and personality into the space. Instead of trying to match the prints, opt for cushions that contrast the sofa print. Is your sofa one solid colour? Get patterned or striped cushions. The sofa print is striped or checkered? Solid-coloured cushions are your friends. Adding a bit of contrast will make the cushions pop and create a more visually appealing space.

Choose Non-Clashing Colours That Accent the Room

Of course, a cushion is only a small part of the overall look of a sofa, and a sofa is only a small part of the overall look of a room. You’ll want to consider the colours and patterns present in the room décor when choosing cushions. If your space has a lot of blues and greys, you can incorporate these colours into your cushions to accent the colours in the room. Accent colours should be very subtle, so either opt for patterned cushions with accent colours present, or if using solid colour cushions, buy a few cushions with complementary or analogous colours. Cushions with some subtle shades of green can work in a room that has lots of blue, for instance.

Mix Up the Shapes & Sizes, But Don’t Overdo It!

Buying sofa cushions is a great opportunity to make your sofa visually interesting. Buying cushions that are all the same size will add some colour contrast to the sofa, but will look boring. Cushions that are different sizes and shapes can create depth and diversity. Mix it up and see what works. Try two cushions in identical patterns that are different sizes, then toss in a few solid coloured cushions as well. Just remember that a sofa is still meant to be sat on, and using too many cushions will result in a great-looking sofa that you can’t actually use. Stick to about three to five cushions – this will give the sofa a bit of variety and visual appeal without creating a crowded atmosphere.

Accenting a sofa is as easy as adding a few well-chosen cushions. The next time you choose a few accent cushions for your sofa, be sure to use cushion prints that contrast the sofa print, colours that accent the room without clashing, and a mix of cushions that add variety without introducing chaos. With the right cushions, you can turn your sofa into a cosy conversation piece that makes the whole room come alive.