My name is Elissa, and I’m having an issue with cushions.
It’s a popular joke among my friends that I’m constantly in the condition of having a problem with my cushion. I have this nagging feeling – all the time – that my living room, my daybed, or my actual bed would be so much more warm/comfortable/character-filled/magnificent if only I could get my cushion arrangement exactly right. Is that The One cushion out there that could perfectly solve my furniture layout forever is there; however, it is still not able to find. Sometimes I get convinced that the One is actually in my home and was just secluded in the wrong spot throughout the years – however, after redeploying, I discover that I’ve hit a second useless match. Now I’m faced with an entirely new cushion dilemma in my hands.
However, the best part is that in all the years of swooning over the cushion, I’ve learned some tips on making cushions effective – but with the caution that finding the perfect arrangement is a long-term search that will never be satisfied. Here are my top four tips.
1. Embrace difference
One of my pet cushions hates a whole row of the exact same size, shape, and fabric cushions in three evenly-spaced-across-the-color-wheel tones. The most appealing arrangement, in my opinion, combines dimensions, shape, texture patterns, and colors. The more authentic and tactile the fabric, the better, in my opinion. The goal is to make you feel as if an individual assembled the whole thing and not just a style bot.
2. Double up (thanks Sir Mix Much)
While it is great to embrace differences, however, having a technicolor cushion is not. There’s a need for uniformity in yours. As a guideline, I like to keep the cushion to not more than six cushion designs. I suggest at least two in three or even four designs. It is possible to have three of the same design in addition and two or three singles for a more positive experience.
3. You should have an anchor
To add a second tip to tip two, for the sake of avoiding vomiting, the design must have a unifying theme. This can be a color. However, it could also be a pattern, a texture or a pattern, or simply an image in patterns, such as flowers that form the main image in one pattern that could be repeated inside a more detailed image of a different design. It’s a good idea if this motif is included in the larger space in which the cushion is going to be used – for instance, an area rug in the living area or a photograph of the bed, for example. Be careful not to get too matching, as nobody would like to be homogeneous (except for those who are part of the One Nation party).
4. Plain Jane helps Suzi Sparkle shine
It’s a bit harsh, but it’s true. A few plain solid colors in the assortment will give your eye a space to calm in the drama of the other and will help the jewels that you have in your collection shine. It’s also a great method of bringing out the colors you’d like to highlight in other patterns and in the room overall.
What is the moral of the story?
A single cushion can alter the entire look. If you’re unhappy with your current setup, Don’t give up, you’ll need to find The One that works.
