Cushions & Throws: Living Room Design Inspiration

Throws and sofa cushions are a great way to express your style without having to give your living room a full makeover. When it comes to choosing and styling scatter cushions and cosy blankets on your sofa, there are a number of tricks interior designers like to use to create a luxury living space

In this blog post, we'll share tips on how to decorate a sofa by draping throws and layering cushions. Soft furnishings are the perfect solution to effortlessly achieve a cosy and charming feel in your living room.

The Subtle Art of Dressing Your Sofa

Are you looking for new ways to effortlessly transform your sofa? Cushions and throws provide you with endless possibilities when it comes to injecting personality and interest into your cosy living space.  

Both sofa throws and scatter cushions are decorative pieces for your home, adding interest to your rooms and further enhancing your decor. To make sure they match, we recommend using contrasting yet complementing colours, or go for a tonal monochrome theme. 

Throws and cushions are used to add interest, but some have a purpose beyond this. Opt for cushions and throws that will add texture and depth to your living room decor, whilst also finding ones that will provide you with ultimate comfort. 

How To Choose Sofa Cushions and Throws

Whether you're looking to add finishing touches or create a chic, coordinated living room look, soft furnishings will transform your space in seconds. Just picture cuddling up under a blanket as you watch your favourite film, or resting against plush cushions as you chat with friends.

Decide upon the right weight, texture and colour in order to create the ultimate cosy setting. If you love to snuggle up in a throw whilst watching television, a heavier throw might be just the thing you're looking for, but during the summer, switching to a lighter weight blanket is a great idea.

Choose your colour palette 

Colours can have a huge impact on the mood and feel of your living space. Depending on your preference, you can choose between contrasting and complementary colours. Select different hues of the same shade if you want to create a more understated and muted scheme, or go big and bold with a vibrant palette to inject some fun.

If you are unsure on where to start when injecting personality into your home it's best to take a gradual, subtle approach. Mixing darker and lighter neutral colours, from shades of charcoal to hues of stone or even pink, you can elegantly mix colour without it being too bold and daring. 

Mixing calmer shades, such as beiges and blush pink, can really evoke a more relaxing atmosphere, making them ideal colours for scatter cushions and cosy throws. As long as the colour shades are subtle, you are bound to fall in love with your decor. 

Opt for different textures 

Combining a range of textures is key for a comfortable, indulgent and inviting sofa which will  transform any living room into a warm, welcoming and stylish lounge. Whether you're all about colour or prefer a more neutral palette, you should embrace an eclectic mix with cool cotton and chunky knits, or for a lavish look choose luxurious velvet and faux silk.

When it comes to choosing stand-out cushions and throws, it's time to embrace colour! It really doesn't matter which colours you choose as long as all the tones and hues are similar to each other. This goes for patterns too‚ stick to similar shades and fabrics and you're sure to find a look you'll love. Scatter and layer cushions in a number of different sizes to create the cosiest of living rooms. 

Play with patterns

Patterns are an effective way to bring personality to your living space. From stripes to geometric designs, there's a huge variety of eye-catching patterns to consider.

When planning to use print, we recommend focusing on two elements: scale and shade. Mix and match patterns that are of a similar scale and unify a mix of prints by selecting two or three colours. Keep the size of the pattern and colour consistent across your throws and cushions for a luxurious finish.

Experiment with shape and size 

Cushions come in all shapes and sizes. You may find yourself always opting for the same size cushions and throws yet wondering why your bed doesn't have that decadent hotel-inspired feel.

Layering a larger square cushion with a smaller one in front is a simple way to add depth to your sofa. This is particularly true in a neutral or monochromatic colour scheme, where opting for a selection of sizes can help bring your living room to life.

Remember the rule of three 

The rule of three‚ has long been used by designers. This principle recommends grouping accessories and colours in threes, as it's believed odd numbers deliver a more visually appealing design. Either way, it's a useful guideline for soft furnishings.

We recommend using the rule of three with cushions. While you may be tempted to splurge on a larger collection, starting with the rule of three will ensure your living room feels tasteful and tranquil.

Take inspiration from fashion 

When dressing your sofa and chairs it's a very similar concept to when you get yourself dressed in the morning - plain, darker colours on the bottom, more eye-catching patterns and shades on the top.

Bring the beautiful stand-out designs to the front of your sofa and leave the subtle more neutral shades at the back. This will allow the bolder cushions and throws to really pop within your decor. 

A quick guide to cushion placement:

• Place cushions in the crook between the arm and the corner of your sofa to create a cosy nook.
• Position in the centre of your sofa for symmetrical styling.
• Style larger cushions at the back and smaller designs in front.
• Display in odd numbers, the rule of three is perfect for cushions.
• Group different textures and tones for an elevated finish.

A quick guide to styling throws:

• Drape over the corner with the end of the throw almost touching the floor for that relaxed yet refined look.
• Fold and place for a more formal finish‚ the centre of the sofa or over the arm are perfect for this technique.
• Display at the foot of a corner sofa for an elegant feel.
• Roll and stack into a basket and position next to your sofa for added cosiness.

Choosing the Right Filling Material for Your Sofa Cushions  

When it comes to choosing scatter cushions for your sofa and chairs, you will also need to consider the material of the filling. 

Microfibre cushion pads are a comfortable and naturally hypoallergenic option. A microfibre cushion can be slightly firmer than its feather alternatives, allowing for fabulous support if you find yourself working from the sofa or you want to snuggle up in front of the TV. 

A feather cushion is filled with duck or goose feathers, making these cushions lightweight and malleable. Our luxurious cushion pads are filled with 100% high quality duck feathers and encased in pure 100% cotton percale. Available in three sizes, these duck feather cushion pads will give your cushions that perfectly plump look.

Are you wondering how to keep your scatter cushions and throws clean and plush? Read our guide on how to clean and care for cushions and different types of throws. 

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