How to decorate with cushions

Cushions are a crucial complement to finish up the décor in any room, be it the living room, the master bedroom or the kids’ room. Aside from reinforcing a certain style, plain or patterned cushions are an ideal resource to break the status quo of a monochromatic design, as well as animating chairs and beds, and of course, give the room a breath of fresh air without too much effort.   Cushions are the ideal instrument to change the look of our living room or bedroom, renewing the ambiance with the arrival of a new season: natural fibres, bright colors or vibrant and fresh fabrics are the go-to items to complement a summer décor, while courser fabrics in intense tones will bring comfort and warmth to the colder months.   Whatever the effect we’re aiming to achieve, it’s important to choose the right cushions, knowing how to mix them, and finally, arranging them with grace. It may sound complicated, but in reality, it’s much easier than you may think. You only have to remember a few tricks in order to get to the perfect result.  

Different patterns and plain colors

In order to create a harmonious ambiance and achieve a more chic and up to date space, choose the cushions according to the rest of the fabrics in the room. If you introduce too many different patterns, you take the risk of saturating the space. To avoid that, combine them with plain colors and when arranging them, group them by design as shown in this bed. These cushions are made with fabrics from the Trend collection, designed by Vern Yip for Fabricut, which you can find in our stores.    

How many cushions do I put on the sofa?

Create a composition with 3 or 5 cushions (odd numbers always work better) and arrange them by size:  the biggest one near the arm of the chair and the smaller ones to the front. In chairs and chaise lounges, a pair of cushions will be enough.   In order to liven up light-colored sofas, mix patterns (plains, floral, striped, animal print…) and sizes. The usual rule for a three-seat sofa are 50 x 50 and 60 x 60 cm cushions. Above, cushions from Voyage Maison brand.  

A must-have bed companion

While it all comes down to personal preference, the ideal scenario is to play with three different sizes and arrange the cushions by size (the bigger ones set on the pillow). Also, in order to achieve a visually rich ensemble, it’s advisable to combine fabrics with different, but coordinated patterns. Don’t use more than four different prints or the space will be saturated. Above, cushions from the Sojourn collection by Sanderson.     Floral, stripes, embroidered… come up with a similar tonal range for all the patterns. A traditional approach is to play with the colors of the curtains or wallpapers, as you can see in this example, where the pattern on the wall is repeated on the bed. Cushions made with fabrics from the Voyage of Discovery collection by Sanderson.  

In the kids’ room

Kids’ and teenagers’ rooms allow for more design license than other spaces. Take advantage of this and mix different textures and patterns without fear. If they are of different sizes and arranged in a seemingly haphazard manner, even better. The effect will be more dynamic and visually rich. Cushions from the Emma Bridgewater collection by Sanderson.      

What’s new?

Aside from knowing how to solve practical and aesthetic issues, being on top of the latest trends in the world of décor will allow you to have your house right up to date. That’s why I’m presenting you our latest collection: Modern Palace, with elegant and contemporaneous fabrics, inspired by classic damasks, in luxurious textures and colors blue, bronze and gold. Ideal for bringing a touch of warmth and sophistication to the space of your choosing.   With these images and pointers, you’ll undoubtedly have an easier time giving your living room a new look, as well as your bedroom or your kids’ room. At any rate, if you have any questions, please leave a comment on this post or come to one of Gancedo’s stores, where we’ll be delighted to help you.