Styling tips for couch pillows: mix, match, and makeover

When it comes to decorating your home, the little details can make a big impact. Couch pillows, also known as scatter cushions or accent pillows, are the accessories your couch needs for an extra bit of sparkle.

Like icing on a cake, couch pillows add colour, texture, and personality to enhance your sofa and room’s appeal. Besides introducing a pop of decor magic, they also make your space feel more cosy and functional. And you don’t need to break your budget to bring them into your space.

Here are some styling tips to make your couch a conversation starter for anyone who enters the room. 

Your property inspiration

This stunning five-bedroom home in Waterfall Country Estate is built for the modern family. It maintains a thoughtful balance being open and intimate, yet minimalist and grand. This is best experienced in the living room areas where comfort and class reign supreme.

Couch cushions have been used strategically to create an exceptional decor experience. In one living room leading to the pool, emerald-green couch cushions help tie the space to the outdoor area with its majestic trees and lush hedges. The use of this bold jewel tone also adds a dash of colour in a space dominated by browns and beiges.

In another living room, couch cushions are used to play with texture. A mix of silky suede and plush fur adds dimension and interest to the room. Cleverly, the colours are kept neutral; the same coffee shades seen in the rest of the furniture and decor are used so the cushions enhance without overwhelming the comforting, rustic feel. 

Get creative with your own couch cushions

Some well-selected couch cushions can transform a room. But, it can be intimidating to decide where to start when you see the variety on offer at retailers. Here are some quick tips to make your couch look great: 

• Use the right size: For a standard sofa, a 45-cm cushion rests on the seat without dominating the space. You can choose the same size for an elegant and formal look or varying sizes to create a casual but visually arresting appearance. 
  
  
• Pick the right number: Too many cushions can look cluttered while too few can make your scheme appear unfinished. For a two- or three-seater sofa, stick to a maximum of three decorative cushions. You have more room to play with on larger furniture sets. 
  
  
• Be strategic with arrangements: Odd numbers are more appealing to the eye, so arranging your cushions in groups of threes and fives works best for modern and eclectic schemes. If you’re creating a sophisticated look, two pillows displayed symmetrically on either end of the couch will look fantastic.
  
  
• Choose a colour palette: Identify two or three central colours in your room and keep to these when selecting colours for your cushions. Your paint, artwork, other furniture, and flooring can inspire colours that will ensure your cushions exist harmoniously in your space. 
  
  
• Play around with shapes: Why stick to just squares? Using different shapes can shake up your decor. Round and oval shapes can give a soothing, feminine feel. Rectangles can offer a more traditional feel. The key to cohesiveness is to keep within a specific theme in terms of colour or patterning. 
  
  
• Mix patterns and solid colours: Patterned couch cushions are a visual treat, but they should have a similar scale, complement your colour scheme, and be balanced with cushions of solid colours. 
  
  
• Vary your textures: A great way to break up your colour scheme and add visual flair is to use different textures. Faux fur, faux leather, chunky knit wools, velvet, linen, or silk can be mixed and matched to create a unique look and give everyone their favourite material to cuddle up with. 
  
  
• Embrace trends and seasons: Having a revolving set of couch cushions is a good idea as you can swap them around to match different trends and seasons. This will keep your scheme interesting and give your room a mini makeover without much effort. 
  
  
• Make them look lived in: When you buy new couch pillows, be sure to give them a good fluff and karate chop to make them feel used. In their original state, they may not have those tender creases that evoke the feeling of a well-trodden and homely space. 

Your home should inspire you

The right couch cushions really help tie your decor scheme together and put your unique personality front and centre. Your home is an opportunity to explore your creativity and Lew Geffen Sotheby's International Realty would love to get you started on this journey. View our portfolio of extraordinary properties for sale and get in touch with our team today.