Have you ever wondered whether decorative pillows should be selected according to specific rules? Is there a key that should be used to arrange with pillows in the background to look good? How to choose pillows for the sofa in the living room? We will surprise you with a handful of tips, hints and tips, thanks to which you will achieve a spectacular visual effect with a slight accent.
We all like pillows. They add cosiness to the interior, increase seating comfort, allow you to lean back, support your head when you sink into the next episode of the series, and the body rests comfortably lying down, or we hold it on our laps, sitting cross-legged with a book in hand. Although we use pillows in different ways, they are an indispensable element of the arrangement of most living rooms.
Sofa cushions – how much will be appropriate?
The number of pillows on the sofa should be adapted primarily to its size. One pillow on a large sofa will be visually lost, while ten pillows on a small sofa will create an overwhelming effect and take up space to sit. So what is the golden mean, and how many pillows are suitable?
Sofas consist of segments, usually separated by a line of furniture cushions. There should be 1 to 2 pillows for each such segment. In a very loose translation, a small, three-seater sofa should be “armed” with 3-4 pillows; a spacious sofa with a side bed can easily accommodate 6-7 pillows. When you choose your sofa cushions, remember the armchairs, which should have at most one pillow, so there is free space on the furniture seat.
Large sofa cushions? Or more minor might be better?
The size of the pillows in the living room should correspond to the size of the sofa – large sofa pillows in small dimensions and small ones on a vast sofa will not look nice.
Also, remember that you can arrange decorative pillows in different sizes on one sofa – nothing stands in the way, and such a procedure will provide a significant effect of aesthetic looseness and freedom.
Cushions for the living room – does the shape matter?
We have a vast selection. You can choose pillows for the living room from all possible shapes: square, rectangular, round or fancy hearts, flowers or animals. Let’s leave the latter for children’s rooms – they will not add elegance to the arrangement. Square, round or rectangular pillows will work best in the living room.
Choose your pillows based on how you use them. If you use one pillow for your back and sometimes rest your head on another, mix the shapes and let your living room pillows be square and rectangular – in any proportion.
Rectangular pillows are the most comfortable to lean on; square and round pillows are best for lying down.
Decorative pillows – fabric counts too
Now let’s focus on the fabric. We have a large selection – decorative pillows are made of cotton with various weaves, upholstery velour, microfiber, nubuck, monolith, linen, polyester, silk or imitation leather. Each of these fabrics has different properties, is different to the touch and requires different treatments to keep the pillow in good condition.
Due to the comfort, we advise against not being pleasant to the touch polyesters and slippery silks (very expensive). Decorative pillows are the most comfortable in the cotton version – look at how many types of weaves you can choose. The friendly microfiber is also perfect. Upholstery velour, soft to the touch, looks great and gives style, but unfortunately, every touch is visible on its hairline structure. On the other hand, although eco-leather looks elegant, it could be more comfortable.
Decorative pillows with or without a pattern?
Do decorative pillows look better in a plain or patterned version? A matter of taste. If you like the patterns, feel free to use them. Moreover, you can place a polka-dot pillow among plain pillows and a striped pillow on the other side of the sofa. Intuition is essential because exaggeration (in every direction) will have the opposite effect of the intended one.
Fashionable patterns of pillows are currently plant, geometric and animal motifs. So the choice is almost unlimited.
Sofa cushions, let the colour work for the effect.
Sofa cushions can be selected according to different keys. Subdued colours will perfectly blend in with the background of the sofa in intense colours. Patterned – even flashy – shades of pillows will add attractiveness to a subdued sofa and will contrast perfectly like pink, green, off-white and grey sofa cushions cover.
When choosing colours, you should also consider functionality. Too bright shades of fabrics in a house full of small children will force you to wash them regularly, while dark pillows without patterns will not be very user-friendly in a house with fluffy cats or dogs.
Pillow mishmash?
A large selection means you need to learn how to choose sofa cushions and which patterns. Sizes or shapes will be the best, creating a colourful and diverse composition.
Use the affinity method and the common denominator to avoid excess and visual chaos. You can choose different fabric structures (for example, velour, cotton and fur) but in one colour tone. You can bet on one type of fabric but in different colours or patterns.
What you should watch out for in a pillow arrangement is an exaggeration. To avoid it, you can buy your decorative pillows successively – one or two. By seeing the result, you’ll know precisely what pillow should be following.
A few words about functionality
We have dismantled all visual issues but will not leave the pillow functionality without comment.
Make sure your sofa cushions have removable covers. Their intensive use and dust make it necessary to wash them occasionally.
Too hard a sofa cushion will not provide comfort and will not adapt to the body’s curves; too soft will cause the effect of “sinking” too deeply into it. Decorative pillows are perfect for filling with the so-called silicone ball. It is a synthetic filling, which – like the pillowcase – can be successfully washed. The shape adapts well to the needs and is friendly to allergy sufferers.