Cushions used to be a very functional item in most homes. Nowadays, though, their value as an affordable and versatile decorating tool can’t be overlooked. With cushions available in a rainbow of colours and a wide range of textures and shapes, finding something you can use to give you room a “pop” of colour and style is easier than ever.
It does, however, take a little bit of skill and know-how to get them looking just right. And that’s important – not only do the right cushions make your sofa or bed look great, they also make it appear cosy and inviting. The best news is that if you want to give your room a different look, changing out the cushions is a quick and affordable way of doing it.
So here’s our tips for using colourful cushions to make your room “pop”.
1. MATCH CUSHIONS WITH THE DECOR
Take a step back and really look at the palette in the room. What colours and patterns will coordinate smoothly with what’s already there? If you have some artwork on nearby walls, match a colour in the art with coloured cushions in slightly different tones and fabrics. Or tone it down with softer coloured cushions if you want a more gentle overall look to the room.
2. BE ADVENTUROUS WITH TEXTURES
While you can successfully use cushions of the same fabric in different tones, why not take it a step further and vary the fabrics and textures as well? Perhaps stripes and patterns, cotton and faux fur. This will give your display of cushions visual interest, and save them from looking too regimented. Clever combinations help your cushions “pop” in a modern but cosy way.
3. VARY CUSHION SIZE AND SHAPE
To inject a note of informality and playfulness, vary the size and shapes of your cushions. Mix rectangles and ovals, or if you have a group of square and rectangular cushions, give one or two a karate chop in the middle to create a dent, breaking up the straight lines.
4. ADD A TOUCH OF BLING
If your decor is mostly neutral, earth colours, bling it up a notch by adding some metallic cushions, or shiny fabrics in bold, dramatic colours. Even play around with cushions striped in matte and gloss fabrics to contrast block colours and highlight the bling factor.
5. SOMETIMES THE SIMPLE SOLUTION IS THE BEST
Finally, if you’re on a tight budget and don’t want the expense of buying a new set of cushions, then rearrange the ones you already have. Change their position in the grouping, or instead of having them sitting on a straight edge, stand them on their corner. It’s surprising what a big difference a reshuffle can make to the look of a room.