Decorating with cushions is more than just a trend. Decorating with cushions conveys personality to an intimate space in the home.
Using cushions to decorate facilitates the harmonious integration of colors with other elements present in the room.
Why decorate with cushions?
In interior decoration, cushions are the perfect accessory to communicate a message, harmonize colors, provide comfort and define the personality of a space.
They also offer a unique possibility in decoration: combining styles to create novel and unique effects.
Decorating with cushions also has a particular functionality: when we want or need to do so, we can simply change the covers and create a new atmosphere for our living room.
So, decorating with cushions is fun, functional, economical, and allows you to change the look of a space, from one day to the next, without major costs.
How to place the cushions on the sofa?
On how to place the cushions on the sofa, the following factors can be considered:
Symmetry
- Not all cushions need to be exactly the same.
- Try to assemble two pairs of cushions with a certain balance between them and another cushion with a particular and different design, which functions as a central division between the left and right side of the furniture.
- Always place the cushions from the outside to the inside.
Order
The standard size for large cushions is 65 x 65 cm. For medium cushions, the regular size is 50 x 50, and for small cushions 30 x 30 cm.
On rectangular sofas with low backrest, the rectangular shape of the cushion will be more appropriate. The ideal size would be 50 cm long by 30 cm high.
Some rules to follow regarding the size of the cushions:
- The height should not exceed the height of the backrest, especially when the backrest is very low.
- In sofas that do not have armrests on the sides, it is important that the cushions do not protrude at the ends.
- When placing cushions on top of each other, one after the other, of course with the larger one at the back, it is important that the difference in size between one cushion and the other is between 5 and 8 cm.
In conclusion, the main advice is to choose the right size of cushions for each space.
- The height should not exceed the height of the backrest, especially when the backrest is very low.
- In sofas that do not have armrests on the sides, it is important that the cushions do not protrude at the ends.
- When placing cushions on top of each other, one after the other, of course with the larger one at the back, it is important that the difference in size between one cushion and the other is between 5 and 8 cm.
Texture
When choosing cushions, they are not always chosen for the same function. Many times they are simply used for decorative purposes and others purely and exclusively for comfort.
For the latter case, they are often used to rest, as a point of support for the head, watch a movie on the couch, among other things. That is why it is extremely important to look at the type of fabric and its comfort.
Linen cushions can be ideal for a soft and fresh texture, since linen is a perfect fabric to combine decoration and comfort.
Color
Relying on color theory can be a good resource for inspiration when choosing cushions by color:
Warm colors, such as red, pink, orange, or yellow, are associated with sunshine and fire that create a cozy atmosphere. It is advisable to choose this range of colors when you want to make a large room appear smaller or to brighten up a dimly lit room.
If we talk about warm colors, we must also refer to cool colors such as blue, green and violet.
The time to make use of these colors is when you want a room to have a cooler and calmer atmosphere.
Cool colors always seem more distant than warm colors. That is the reason why cool colors make a small room more spacious. An important fact is that if the room does not receive much natural light: cool colors may seem inhospitable.
Rooms that enjoy a lot of natural light can manage almost any cool color without creating such a distant ambiance.
Cushion maintenance
To preserve the best qualities of the cushions, the different types of washing must be taken into account, and the most beneficial process for each fabric must be sought:
- Machine: Use cold water only, and if the cover has stubborn stains, it can be sprayed with a stain remover on top before putting it in the washing machine.
- By hand: With neutral soap and warm water, even the most delicate cushion covers will be as good as new.
- Do not over wash. A great tip is to shake the cushions every time the sofa is used or every time the bed is made. This will prevent dust and dirt from accumulating and help them keep their original shape.
- When using the washing machine, it is important not to mix cushions with other garments. Although it may be tempting to use the program to wash several textiles, cushions should always be washed separately.
- If the cushion cover has tassels and it is essential to machine wash it, inserting it inside out and putting it in a laundry bag to protect it as much as possible will be the best option.
- Avoid using tweezers to dry the pillowcases, as they may leave marks that are difficult to remove (this is especially important for velvet, silk or satin pillowcases).
Although this point is not specifically decorative, it is important to keep in mind. This step allows to keep the cushions in excellent condition. That is why it is ideal that the cushion cover is removable, to be able to perform the corresponding cleaning in a simpler way.
Dareels offers a wide variety of quality cushion designs and cushion covers. The textiles we work with are handcrafted, without the use of chemicals, and with ecological and sustainable processes.
