How to Decorate Your Bed or Sofa with Cushions: The Ultimate Guide

Cushions are the unsung heroes of home décor. They transform a space with colour, texture, and personality, whether it’s your bedroom or living room.

Decorating with cushions is the easiest and often the most affordable way to update your home without committing to major renovations. So, if you’ve been eyeing your bed or sofa, wondering how to give them a fresh new look, we’ve got you covered.

In this guide, we’ll dive into the world of decorative scatter cushions and show you how to choose the right ones and style them like a pro. Ready? Let’s fluff some cushions!

1. Why Cushions Matter

Cushions aren’t just for comfort (though that’s definitely a big part of their appeal!). They serve a dual purpose: adding a cozy, inviting feel to your bed or sofa while also functioning as a design element that can elevate your space. Here’s why they’re key:

• Instant transformation: Changing your cushions is one of the easiest ways to refresh your room. It’s like giving your space a mini makeover.
• Layering and texture: Cushions add depth and layers to your room, giving it a stylish, lived-in feel.
• Colour and pattern: You can use cushions to introduce colour or interesting patterns without overwhelming the space.
• Seasonal updates: Swapping out your cushions is a great way to reflect the seasons—think lighter, brighter cushions for spring and rich, warm tones for winter.

2. How to Choose the Perfect Cushions

Before you dive into cushion styling, let’s talk about how to choose cushions that will work for your space. It’s not just about picking the prettiest designs—there are a few factors to consider.

Cushion Size Matters

Cushions come in a variety of sizes, and mixing up the dimensions is key to creating a dynamic, layered look. The most popular scatter cushion sizes include:

• Rectangle Lumbar Small Cushion (40x60cm): Great for adding accent colour or pattern and texture.
• Medium Square Cushion (45cm or 50cm): A versatile size that works well for sofas and beds.
• Large Square Cushion (60x60cm or more): These can be the anchor cushions, giving structure and support.
• Round Cushions: Available in a variety of sizes, round cushions add a fun, decorative element to your bedroom or living room.

When styling your bed or sofa, use a variety of sizes to add dimension. Think of it like building a pyramid—the larger cushions form the base, while smaller ones add the finishing touch.

Choosing the Right Cushion Fill

Feather-filled cushions, like Vito and Como, give a luxe, plump look and are perfect for sinking into. They have a casual, relaxed vibe and are easy to fluff back into shape. Foam or polyester-filled cushions, on the other hand, hold their structure better, giving a more formal, structured appearance.

If you’re going for a laid-back, cozy aesthetic, feather-filled cushions are the way to go. But if you want something more polished, opt for a firmer fill.

For a detailed look into the difference between feather, poly or micro-blend filled cushion click here.

Tips to Choosing your Cushion Colour.

This is where you can have some fun! Your cushions can reflect your personal style and the vibe you want for your space.

Here are a few tips to help you choose the right cushion colours and patterns:

• Room Colour: Start by observing the colours already present in your space. Pay attention to your furniture, rugs, walls, curtains, and any artwork on display. The goal is to find cushions that complement your existing colour palette to create a cohesive and harmonious look. Identify the two or three dominant colours in the room and use these as a foundation for selecting your cushions. You can choose cushions that feature these colours either in their patterns or as solid shades.
• Variety: For a well-coordinated style, pick cushions that share common colours or elements so they “speak to each other” and tie the overall look together. Avoid making everything too uniform—opt for a mix of tones and incorporate cushions in different shapes and sizes to keep the arrangement visually interesting.
• Neutral Base, Bold Accents If your room is mostly neutral, adding a bold cushion colour can inject some vibrancy and become a focal point.
• Pattern Play: Mixing patterns is trendy, but there’s a method to the madness. Try combining one bold pattern (like florals or geometrics) with a simpler one (like stripes or checks) and balance it out with solid cushions.
• Seasonal Colours: As mentioned, you can easily update your cushions based on the seasons. Think soft pastels or bright tones for summer, and switch to deep, rich shades like burnt orange, emerald green, or navy in the colder months.

Choosing Cushions with Patterns and Prints:

Incorporating scatter cushions with patterns and prints into your living room or bedroom is a great way to add visual interest. Choose patterned cushions that share similar or complementary colours with your plain cushions to create a cohesive, well-balanced look that flows throughout the room.

For a modern touch, go for bold patterns like spots, stripes, or geometric designs. If you prefer a more classic and timeless feel, floral cushions can bring a touch of elegance and charm to your space.

Cushion Textures and Fabrics

The texture of your cushions can be just as important as their colour or pattern. Think of it as another layer to add depth to your room. Mix up materials to keep things interesting:

• Linen Cushions: Perfect for a relaxed, natural vibe. Linen cushions feel cool in summer and warm in winter making them perfect for our Australian Climate. Vito Cushions and Como Linen cushion are a popular choice to decorate your bed or sofa with style and comfort.
• Velvet Cushions: Adds instant luxury and a touch of drama. Perfect for creating a cozy, opulent feel our Ava cushion add that lux, comfy feel to your home.
• Cotton or Canvas Cushions: Great for everyday cushions that are durable and easy to clean.
• Handwoven or Macrame Cushions: These are perfect for adding a layer of pattern and texture to your bed or sofa.

3. How to Style Cushions on Your Bed

Your bed is the focal point of your bedroom, and cushions are a simple way to make it feel more inviting. But how do you avoid making it look cluttered or too matchy-matchy? Here are some easy cushion decor tips.

Layering for Depth

When styling your bed with cushions, think of layers. Start with two to three larger cushions (60x60cm) at the back, leaning against your pillows. These can be neutral or textured cushions to form a solid base.

Next, add a row of medium-sized cushions in front (45cm or 50cm) in a complementary colour or pattern. Finally, finish with a couple of smaller accent cushions (40cm x 60cm rectangle) in a bold colour or interesting texture.

Odd Numbers for Balance

Odd numbers work best when arranging cushions—this is a golden rule in interior design. For a queen-sized bed, three to five cushions usually work well. For a king-sized bed, you can go for up to seven, but more than that can feel overwhelming.

Mix and Match

Feel free to mix and match colours, patterns, and textures. Start with a neutral base, then add cushions in your accent colours. For example, if your bedroom has a coastal theme, mix shades of blue, white, and sandy beige, using textured linen and cotton cushions.

4. How to Style Cushions on Your Sofa

Styling cushions on your sofa is all about balancing comfort with aesthetics. Here’s how to style your sofa cushions like a pro.

The Classic Symmetry

For a more traditional look, you can go with symmetry. Place two matching larger cushions at either end of the sofa. Next, add smaller, complementary cushions in front of those. You can keep it simple with solid colours or introduce patterns to create a bit of interest.

The Casual Throw

For a more relaxed, lived-in vibe, go for an asymmetrical look. This is especially effective if you have a sectional sofa or a longer couch. Start by placing a couple of large cushions on one end of the sofa and a mix of smaller ones scattered across the rest of the seating area. This gives a cozy, unstructured feel.

Mix Textures and Patterns

Just like on the bed, mixing textures and patterns is key to creating a visually interesting sofa. If your sofa is neutral, you can play with bold patterns and textures like velvet or faux fur. On the flip side, if your sofa has a bold colour, stick with more muted, solid-colour cushions to balance things out.

Don’t Overdo It

While cushions can add so much to your sofa, you don’t want to overcrowd the space. Too many cushions can make the sofa feel less functional and harder to sit on. A good rule of thumb is two to four cushions on a smaller sofa and five to seven on a larger one.

Enhancing Your Cushion Styling with Throws and Accessories

To elevate your cushion styling, incorporate decorative elements like throws and accessories. Adding items such as throws or vases complements your scatter cushions and helps create a layered, textured look in your living room or bedroom.

When choosing a throw, opt for colours that are already present in your cushions to ensure a cohesive and harmonious design. Also, consider the season when selecting materials—chunky knitted throws provide warmth in the winter, while lighter cotton throws are perfect for summer.

For styling, drape the throw across the back of your couch or place it at the end of the bed. This adds the finishing touch and enhances the overall look of the space.

5. Final Tips for Decorating with Cushions

Think about function.

While cushions are decorative, they’re also meant to be functional. Make sure the cushions you use on a sofa are soft and comfortable for lounging, and those on the bed are easy to move aside when it’s time to sleep.

Switch it up.

Don’t be afraid to rotate your cushions seasonally or whenever you feel like a change. Keep a few neutral cushions that work year-round, and swap in some seasonal or trendy pieces for a fresh look.

Use a colour palette.

To keep your cushions cohesive, stick to a colour palette. This doesn’t mean all the cushions need to match exactly, but they should complement each other and the room's overall theme.

Cushion Styling Tips : Conclusion

Decorating with cushions is one of the easiest ways to update your bed or sofa. With a little creativity, you can transform your space into a cozy, stylish sanctuary. Whether you’re layering cushions for a luxurious bed look or arranging them on your sofa for the perfect balance of comfort and style, the key is to play with colours, patterns, and textures. Style your cushions in a way that feels right for you and you’ll love them in your home. So, go ahead, fluff those cushions, and let your personality shine through!