Too many cushions and your living room could look cluttered, and they may even make the sofa less comfy. As a general rule, we reckon a two- or three-seater sofa needs a maximum of three cushions. If your sofa's larger then you can get away with more. Think six or more on a large corner sofa.
As a general rule of thumb, you should add a maximum of three cushions to a two-seater sofa and up to nine for a large corner sofa. For a 'lived-in' feel, place two cushions in one corner of your sofa – resulting in the perfect target to sink into after a long day.
For a 2-seater sofa, it is recommended to use between 2 to 4 cushions. Using 2 cushions creates a pared-down look, while 3 cushions creates an eclectic and more modern style. Using 4 cushions provides the opportunity to add depth and balance to yo...
Start by placing two or three larger cushions at the back of your sofa to create a base. Then, layer a selection of smaller scatter cushions in front, slightly overlapping each other. This arrangement works best with cushions of various shapes and sizes.
If you have a squishy, comfortable sofa then the only real need for a cushion is to bring the room together, to help accentuate the interior's colour scheme and to make the sofa even more comfortable. However, if the sofa doesn't fulfil your comfort needs, a cushion or two might very well be the answer.
Too many cushions and your living room could look cluttered, and they may even make the sofa less comfy. As a general rule, we reckon a two- or three-seater sofa needs a maximum of three cushions. If your sofa's larger then you can get away with more. Think six or more on a large corner sofa.
A sofa can look fantastic with anywhere from three to six cushions, depending on the size of both. After that, you'll be more active removing and storing them than you want to be when it's family night or you have a guest. Use your eye and be critical to get both the look and comfort you need from your cushions.
Pair prints with block colours
When it comes to pairing different prints, team small-scale patterns with larger-scale designs; this will make your arrangement easier on the eye and give each cushion the chance to shine. To add subtle points of interest, place louder prints or colours behind simpler styles.
Usually, a standard sofa will average about 86 inches in length and have three seat cushions. For a coffee table in front of the sofa, make sure to allow 12 to 18 inches in between for legroom.
Rotate and flip your cushions
A simple but effective way to combat sagging is to rotate and flip your couch cushions regularly. Over time, people tend to sit in their favorite spots on the couch, causing uneven wear on the cushions.
The golden ratio rule essentially says that your living room furniture arrangement should follow a 2:3 ratio. This means that between your couches, chairs, area rugs, and coffee tables, proportions should generally be a two-thirds proportion.
The life expectancy of expensive, high quality sofa cushion foam (such as down fillers) is around ten years, while cheaper sofas are more likely to use polyester and/or polyurethane foam. These typically start losing their plumpness after around three years.
Traditionally the most common size and shape for a cushion was the square, and this is available in sizes from 30cm x 30cm (12inch x 12inch), 40cm x 40cm (16inch x x16 inch), 45cm x 45cm (18inch x 18inch) and 60cm x 60cm (24inch x 24inch).
When looking for a new living room centrepiece, a lot of people ask why do 3 seater sofas only have 2 cushions? This is purely a design feature. The sofa will still be spacious enough to accommodate three people, but, thanks to its reduced number of cushions, will look a little smaller in the space.
Follow the 2:3 Rule
“The 2:3 design rule suggests your sofa should be the equivalent of ⅔ the size of your room,” she says. However, if your living room is also your dining room or home office, that may not be possible, explains the designer.
THE 2-2-1 scatter cushion RULE
According to Kashi, the rule involves using a total of five pillows. Begin by placing two pairs of pillows on each end of the sofa, and then add one feature pillow in the center. For the pairs at the ends, select pillows of different sizes, with the larger one positioned at the back.
We suggest using six to eight cushions for a full and polished look. You can mix and match different textures and colours to create a cohesive yet dynamic look. You'll want to make sure the cushions don't overpower the size of your sofa.
Generally speaking, you should place your TV around double the distance of the screen size away from your sofa. This sounds a bit confusing but it's quite simple. If you have a 60-inch TV, your sofa should be placed double the distance away - so 120 inches, or about 3 metres.
Place the largest cushion at the back, angled in the crook of the sofa between the arm and the backrest, then place the medium in front of it (slightly offset away from the arm) and the smallest in front of that (again slightly offset towards the arm). Replicate the look in the opposite corner with the same cushions.
Pick a sofa cushion colour combination that matches your existing palette. Cushions shouldn't dictate the room, they're just there to enhance it. So be inspired by the colour scheme you've already chosen and select shades that complement the shade of your sofa, the walls, the flooring and any other accessories.
How many cushions do I need for a corner sofa? The first thing you should think about is how many cushions you're going to need. If your corner sofa sits three people, between 3-6 cushions is a good amount, while larger L-shaped sofas look fantastic with a few more cushions added (around 9).
Most couch cushions come in sizes from 18 inches to 24 inches. One of the easiest cushion arrangements is to place a large 24-inch cushion behind, then a 20-inch cushion, followed by a smaller 18-inch or lumbar support cushion in front. Remember to keep your sofa's look visually balanced.
As long as you're not using your cushions as a tray to eat your dinner on, we recommend replacing your scatter cushions every 6 to 12 months at a time. If you regularly wash and maintain your scatter cushions, they could last even longer (a couple of years) before they become tired-looking.
Matching one single colour-way or pattern throughout your room can give the illusion of space whilst still keeping the look of a coordinated style. One or two clashing colours or patterns will draw the eye and make a focal point, whilst larger cushions in plain colours can give the idea of comfort.