choosing cushions – The Interiors Addict

Styling cushions: bed or lounge, follow these helpful tips

Everyone says the right cushions can make or break a bed or lounge, but actually deciding which ones to put together gives many people a headache! It’s not as easy as it looks.

That said, the power of beautifully arranged plump, well-crafted cushions, wrapped in gorgeously textured or patterned fabric covers, can never be underestimated. Cushion styling makes a world of difference to a living space.

Junie Lin, founder of new cushion brand Mirage Haven, shares her tips on how to choose and layer cushions like a pro.

1. Base is plain

Plain cushions create the base of your cushionscape. Your arrangements often won’t work well without these.

Invest in good quality fabrics for plain cushions, as these are meant to be used over and over again. Besides, plains never look dated; they’re always on trend.
For dark colour schemes, velvety navy or black are often good choices on which to build a cushion collection.
Crisp whites and natural-coloured linens layer well in lighter colour schemes.
For visual variety, layer on plain cushions in different shapes or sizes.

2. Go for classics

Classic patterns can provide the underlying character of your cushion arrangement.

Start off with a small collection of classic patterns. Stripes and simple, geometric patterns are good examples of classic patterns. These never go out of style.
For instance, two-tone block patterns in bold colour contrasts may set a contemporary look to your overall loungescape.
Having a small collection of classic patterns allows you the versatility of rotating these from room to room. Your rooms get a style refresh with every rotation.
As with plains, beautiful fabric shines through in classic patterned cushions, so don’t be afraid to invest in these details.

3. Mix and match

Here’s where the fun begins. Now that you’ve got your base plains and patterns, it’s time to crank up that creative flair.

Mix and match fabrics to create layers and add both visual and tactile interest.
The fabrics in the layers don’t need to be all of one kind. An arrangement of all linens or all velvets could prove to be a bore.
Match your basic collection of plains and classic patterns with various designs and fabrics to create your own unique look.

Pull in those voguish, trendy designs or introduce accent colours.
Stave off visual boredom by playing around with size, form, and height. Variety is the spice of a well-styled, visually engaging arrangement.

You can transition in and out of these on-trend cushion designs according to the season, weather, or even your mood!

4. Embrace light and airy

Our Australian beach culture loves the light and airy look of a coastal-inspired home that can be used all year round. If this is what you’re going for, use:

Light linens and whites
Patterns with a modern, casual vibe.

With darker colour schemes, contrast with white or soothing neutrals to shape a fresh, crisp, yet elegant look.

5. Achieve high style with subtle luxury

Subtlety is the key here. Finish off with a refined and restrained eye.

With its deeply historical royal roots, velvet has been the epitome of the exclusive, high-style look. Traditionally befitting a glamorous, opulent setting, velvet is equally at ease in the everyday home.

Don’t get carried away with copious amounts of shimmer, shine, or bling. As the adage goes, less is always more. But, on a leash, some sparkle and sheen can provide that sense of luxury.
For a subtle casual look, try linens threaded with silver or gold to achieve a light, airy lustre.

Conclusion

Layering throw cushions is an art, but one that isn’t too difficult, to achieve a decent marriage between form and function. Having a handful of quality cushions on hand, plus knowing how to mix and match these accessories, is one of the easiest and chicest aways to achieve beautiful spaces for many years to come.

-As a newly launched luxury cushion retailer, Mirage Haven gets you up to speed in fine soft furnishings with its 60-piece debut collection of classic patterns and styles. Founder and creative director Junie Lin brings her unique design perspective from her long experience owning one of Australia’s premiere online retail stores, Hamptons Home.

How to select cushions for your sofa or bed

Given the myriad of cushions available on the market, it is not surprising how overwhelming cushion selection can be. Choosing shape, size, colour and pattern can be a daunting task. Le Marc has curated a beautiful collection of quality cushions designed to create a very personal touch for your sofa, armchair or bed. Here, Le Marc’s design team has compiled a few insider tips to help put together a selection of cushions to suit your styling requirements.

On the sofa

When dressing a sofa, we often apply the principle that less is more. Create a balanced and harmonious look by considering your colour palette and then compliment it with your cushion choice.

Combining neutral tones with a pop of colour or a bold design adds interest and vibrancy. Build a base of neutral cushions that marry in with the tones of your room before adding texture, pattern or colour which creates a more personal touch to your space.

For a living setting we would recommend using two 55x55cm cushions at both corners of the sofa. This will help anchor the sofa. Ground your cushions with a simple neutral tone that matches your colour palette. The second cushion should add colour and/or texture to create a story. Complete the sofa with a single hero cushion in the centre that is bold in colour, pattern or texture. This is also a really great place to add a smaller lumbar, 45x55cm shaped cushion.

The hero cushion can be mirrored on surrounding armchairs or window seats to create harmonious balance in the room. If you are seeking more diversity in the room, choose cushions that complement the colour of the cushions used on the sofa but play with the design and texture.

On the bed

In a bedroom, the goal is to create a well-balanced, layered look for the bed. Start with larger Euro sized cushions at the back in a solid colour, then layer with smaller 55x55cm cushions to introduce pattern and colours that work back with your bedspread. Finish with a single central cushion with a brilliant design or pattern that will create an interesting centrepiece for the setting.

Colour

In terms of colour palette, for winter, we have seen a trend towards the luxurious rich tones of chartreuse, fuchsia, teal and burnt orange in velvet finishes, which add instant warmth and texture to your space.

As the weather starts to lighten for spring, it is a great excuse to play with colour and use the outdoors for inspiration. Bright pops of Azure blue and tropical green will invite the warmer months and a breezier feel into your home.

Quality

Finally, quality is key. Your cushions should reflect your beautiful furniture. Invest in cushions that hold their shape and can be used for years to come. The purpose of the cushion is to accent your furniture not detract from it, and just like an elegant piece of jewellery finishes an evening gown, the right cushion can provide the perfect finishing touch for your interior environment.

—Le Marc is a new collection of simply beautiful cushions offering colour, texture and luxury for your home. Using stunning hand-selected European fabrics and premium feather inserts, Le Marc’s diverse range of cushions will compliment any interior space. Free shipping throughout Australia.