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If chosen correctly, cushions can pull together all the elements of a room and bring harmony to a once busy or mismatched room. Selecting the right cushions for your room can be very difficult and it’s easy to get the formula wrong. So, here are some tips to help you pick the right ones:
Colour
In terms of colour schemes, today, rich powerful colours add warmth and a sense of comfort to a room (like eggplant and emerald). Deep purple and green will also add a great update to furniture. Both these colours look great with beige, brown, black and white. Another big colour at the moment is teal, which can be seen in an increasing number of styles and patterns at the moment.
Patterns
Designs and patterns in a room are highly encouraged, as they add a little more adventure and fun. Patterns on cushion covers are the perfect way to add just the right amount of flare to a room. Today, classic houndstooth, Chevron prints and paisley patterns make a great cushion patterns. Mixing and matching cushion patterns in the same colour scheme are also popular at the moment.
Shape
A square or a rectangle shape is what we most commonly think of, when picking out cushions, but one must not stray away from getting some fun-shaped and cut out versions of cushions. Also trending is the art of buying the same shaped cushion, in several different sizes. This adds a variety of levels and contact when arranging your cushions on a sofa or bed. While purchasing cushion covers, it is essential to look for materials which are resilient to water damage, stains and fading.
Design
Conversation cushions are becoming quite popular these days. These cushions have words printed on the front and say variety of things. Some have movie dialogues written on them, while some have lyrics.
Cotton & linen
These are plant fabrics and come in pure or blended form and are soft to touch and breathable, making them an excellent fabric for throw cushions. Linen is two to three times stronger than cotton, and excellent for summertime, as it is cool to touch. They are great for outdoors or kitchen areas and are very easy to clean.
Synthetic
Synthetic fabric such as nylon and polyester are made through a process of polymerisation, an entirely chemical process. They can be water-resistant, stain-resistant and wrinkle-free, but the downside is that it is not environment-friendly. They can be used in any room of the house.
Silk
Silk is regarded as one of the most luxurious forms of fabric and is often considered a sign of class and status. These can make a stunning addition to any living room or bedroom. The best use of silk cushions is when you slip in one or two in among some other fabrics to enhance texture of a room. Silk should be dry-cleaned, which can be an expensive proposition if you are to do this regularly; so it may not be the best choice for a household.
* Say no to matching cushions: Sometimes when you buy a sofa/couch, it comes with matching cushions. These matching cushions are actually a big no and should be avoided as they would look lumpy. Add cushions that complement other colours in your room and contrast well with the colour of your couch.
* Choosing size and shape of cushions: People usually go for cushions within the exact same shape. By doing this, you lose an opportunity of adding some depth to your selection. Mixing sizes and shapes of your cushions with some solid colours will look different and exciting.
* Number of cushions: The amount of cushions majorly depends on the style of the room. If you have a traditionally styled room with deep colours, go for even number of cushions. For a modern and eclectic look, go for an odd number. It also depends on the number of sofas in your room.
(The author is an interior designer & co-owner, Kala Drishti)