There are simple ways to revitalise living spaces without painting or putting holes in walls, and one of Mindful Puzzles’ favourites is with cushions.
While cushions are an easy and affordable way to add colour and pop to your living room, with so many potential combinations it can be difficult to know where to start. We’ve put together some quick tips about quick tips about the cushion basics, from textures, colours and patters to shapes and sizes.
Starting out
To start, it’s best to work from a blank canvas – a neutral lounge is a décor classic, and it allows for the greatest variety of cushion combinations. A pair of large square cushions in likewise neutral tones will create a versatile foundation for the rest of your arrangement, and choosing textures that contract with the material of your lounge will help give some punch. Think linen or wool against a cotton or leather lounge, for example.
Adding colour & patterns
Then comes the fun part – choosing the colours and patterns. It’s a good idea to work out what kind of colour palette you’d like to use before you buy anything. Look for colours that are already present in the room, such as in floor rugs, artworks, or other pieces of furniture, to create an anchor colour, and go from there. If you are working with block colours, choosing cushions in different textures or with interesting trims and details, such as embroidery or ruffled hems, will come in handy. On the other hand, mixing and matching different styles and prints is sure to draw the eye. To avoid going overboard with prints and patterns, a good rule of thumb is one simple print, one busy print, and one solid.
Placement
From a comfort and visual standpoint, as you move from the outside to the inside of your lounge the cushions should get smaller – it makes the most sense to have the biggest cushions on the sides, where you won’t need to constantly move them out of the way.
How many
The size of your lounge will generally determine how many cushions you should be using – you don’t want to have too few, but too many will make the room look cluttered. If you’re a perfectionist, two or four cushions make for a pleasingly symmetrical arrangement, but if you’re looking for something a bit more eclectic, three or five work a treat.
Complete the look
To complete the look, add one more piece – slightly smaller than the others – in a standout texture of pattern: think metallics, embroidery, or even faux fur. This is a good place to play with shapes and proportions, to give your arrangement that extra edge; round cushions can help break things up against traditional squares and rectangles.
Finally, throw in a blanket for an extra added touch; draped over one side gives your lounge a relaxed feel, or for a more tailored look fold the throw neatly over the back or one of the arms.
Now your living space will truly feel like your oasis of calm relaxation.
WORDS: Nicole Kennedy
