How to arrange cushions
on a sofa: ideas and tips

Often overlooked, cushions have instead a great relevance in the aesthetic impact of a room: they have the ability to make the sofa more beautiful and avoid that strange feeling that something is missing to complete the furniture. Choosing the best type of cushion to enhance a sofa is not easy: you need composition skills, an eye for combinations, good taste and the ability to dare. Also because the choice is vast: you can find cushions in any shape, fabric, colour and size.

Placing cushions on the sofa: how best to do it

There are various techniques for best arranging cushions on the sofa. But there is no mathematical formula, each situation makes its own story and the good taste of the decision-maker makes the difference.

1. Towards the centre. Arranging the cushions from the armrests towards the centre ofthe sofa is the most usual technique. Start with the largest and, in descending order, proceed to the central area, leaving the smallest cushions for last. For a minimalist style, cushions can be placed only at the ends: leaving the central part of the sofa free.
2. Symmetry and dimensions.  Symmetryis a fundamental aspect to consider because it establishes the sense of order, harmony and perfection. In this sense, it is useful to buy cushions in pairs: they do not have to be the same, but it is important that they have the same size. Regarding shapes, it should be considered that square cushions are adaptable to any sofa.
3. How many cushions to put on the sofa. According to many ‘schools of thought’, the number of cushions should always be odd. And it is advisable to put one or two more cushions than the sofa seats: for example, if the sofa has three seats, at least five cushions (if one opts for cushions that are not too bulky in size and shape). However, if there is a minimum number (i.e. 3), there is no maximum number. There are those who like the so-called cushion shower: the only caveat here is that guests will show some reluctance to sit on the sofa, so as not to upset the composition of the cushions.
4. Fabrics. Boiled wool, velvet, natural cotton, synthetic: every fabric has its reason. The important thing is to establish the colour palette to match the furnishings, which are already present in the room. Aesthetic aspects must be considered, but also practical ones: e.g. washability. There is only one must here: if you own a leather sofa, you should go for cushions of the same material. Fabric ones would be out of place.
5. Colours. For those who are about to furnish a new room, the advice is to draw up a comprehensive furnishing plan. And choose the colours of the cushions according to the colour palette of the house. As with size, the only rule to follow is to maintain a certain balance: a harmony with curtains, carpets, objects and accessories in the room.

Arrange cushions to create an atmosphere

In addition to being excellent decorative elements, cushions increase the feeling of comfort. For this reason, they can also be found outside the living room: in bedrooms, in patios or terraces, in reading corners or on windowsills, facing outdoors. But it is on the sofa that cushions express their greatest charm : arranging them in an elegant way can really add to the ambience. They also immediately convey a feeling of relaxation and intimacy.

Placing cushions is an art: do you need rigour or imagination?

Those who like the minimalist style usually tend to place two cushions on one side. It is a classic, rigorous choice for all sofa styles. In this case, medium-sized models are usually used (50×50 cm or 40×40 cm), which tend to be square in shape.

Those who, on the other hand, want to express their creativitythrough their furniture and even the simple arrangement of cushions, choose mix and match. That is, exasperating the concept of diversity: juxtaposing and mixing cushions of different shapes, sizes and patterns, creating a surprising effect. Aesthetic anarchy, however, also has its rules: it is good to select fantasies in nuances, to place the larger cushions at the back, and in steps the smaller ones. With different colours, fabrics and shapes, the alienating effect of the final composition will be assured.