But first: how many cushions is too many cushions? From a modern minimalism perspective, it’s about quantity that gives quality. Your cushions are beautiful on their own, but from the POV of finishing touches, you want to choose the ones that make a space come alive.
CUSHION COMPATIBILITY CHECK
A round pizza in a square box – fits beautifully, makes complete sense, we’ve never questioned it. Think of this (rather quirky?) example when you’re trying to find the right cushion-furniture match.
In other words, trust the process of experimental cushion styling. This is your space. It makes sense that intuitive matching should be one of the first ways forward.
STILL, IF YOU’D LIKE A GENERAL RULE OF THUMB…..
Ask yourself
- Are the cushions functional, i.e for back support? Are they simply aesthetic?
- I’ve decided the shape of my cushions – but how BIG or SMALL is that shape?
For two or two and a half, seaters, you can try
- One statement cushion, matching it with a ‘twin.’
- A pair of contrast colour or contrast texture cushions.
For three or three and a half and larger seaters, you can try
- Several cushions that are in the same hues as the upholstery fabric. This tone and tone effect can be ‘cut’ by one contrast-effect cushion.
- A mix of block colour, large, and small pattern cushions.
Start from the outside in: basically, that’s positioning your cushions from the edge, and inching closer towards the centre.
In the case of a plump sofa, you may be tempted to style it with several, equally sumptuously plump cushions. Less is more here, because it’s about too many cushions on an already cushion-y sofa.
In the case of a more architectural sofa, you can try adding more cushions than you normally would, to balance out the angular effect.
LAYERING BY COLOUR
A helpful first step is to figure out if you want:
- out-and-out contrasts;
- distinct, but harmonious colour blocking; or
- singular tone on tone play.
Look around the space as a whole. After all, the cushions aren’t just part of the sofa-lounge chair landscape, but the landscape of the whole room itself.
What are the dominant colour stories for the walls, ceiling, surrounding cabinetry, plants, and other decorative accessories? How – or – where do your chosen cushions sit against these?