Types of decorative pillows
The simplest sofa pillow is a square one. The sizes of the soft accessory vary from 30*30 to 50*50 cm. The choice depends on the sofa model: its dimensions, the height of the back.
The next most popular sofa pillow is a rectangular one. It can be either close to a square or elongated. Up to the location along the entire length of the furniture.
The first two models have a second name – thought pillows.
The third form of decorative pillow is a bolster. It comes in different lengths and diameters, serves either as an additional armrest or as support for the back or head during rest.
Some styles will be decorated with round options with a button in the center. They dilute the classic combination of squares and rectangles. They make the overall picture softer.
In addition to the listed standard ones, there are also shaped models: star, cat, moon, crown. Most often used in the design of a child’s room, but they can also be appropriate in living rooms.
The photo shows decorative pillows on a velvet sofa
Shape — is not the only difference between decorative pillows. The decoration also varies:
- Turkish. A square or rectangle decorated with a contrasting oriental pattern.
- Oxford. The main difference is the border, 3-5 cm wide, around the perimeter of the cover.
- Quilted. The pillowcase is quilted with diamonds, any shape.
What material and filling to choose?
When choosing a sofa cushion, you should pay attention to 2 aspects: what’s inside and what’s outside.
Filler
It can be natural or synthetic. The first one includes down or feather: such pillows for a sofa are more expensive, and they can also cause allergies in adults and children.
Another option for “eco” insides is buckwheat husk. The products are elastic and comfortable, but short-lived – they last a maximum of 3-4 years. The filler should be periodically ventilated so that it does not suffocate.
Most often, artificial stuffing is used, which is not inferior in quality to natural stuffing:
- Hollowfiber. It consists of siliconized spiral-shaped polyester fibers. Thanks to the curls, the material springs well, easily returns to volume after crumpling. Available in 3 forms: canvas, balls, “combed”. Keep in mind that under thin material, the balls will create an unsightly relief.
- Sintepon. The most budget filler, which quickly loses its shape. Available in rolls or individual combed fibers.
- Comforel. Ball material, somewhat reminiscent of holofiber. The main difference is that the fraction is small and heterogeneous, the balls are tightly connected to each other. It springs well, easily returns to shape, is suitable for machine washing.
- Artificial fluff. Manufacturers have long learned to create an imitation of natural down. It feels like natural down, but has a number of advantages: hypoallergenic, easy to care for, lightweight, low cost.
- Foam rubber. Often, sofa cushions that come with the product itself are stuffed with leftovers from production: scraps of foam rubber, polyurethane foam and fabrics. This option looks rough, and even the dense fabric of the cover does not hide the uneven shapes and large fractions.
Fabrics
The choice is practically unlimited, but in most cases, furniture or decorative materials are used to sew decorative pillows.
- Matting. It has an interesting texture. The color scheme is mainly light or pastel.
- Velvet. Rich fabric, pleasant to the touch. Suitable for classic luxurious interiors.
- Cotton. It is used to sew both pillows in plain covers and bright, printed models. It goes well with any sofa upholstery.
- Velour. It is somewhat reminiscent of velvet, but does not have the characteristic shimmer on the pile. It is suitable for classic and modern design.
- Burlap. The rough design is used as an accent. Place it in an eclectic living room or outside.
- Silk. It has a characteristic shine, natural silk is rarely used: artificial silk is more often used. Can be replaced with crepe satin, taffeta.
What to consider when choosing a pattern and decorative elements?
Decorative pillows should be in harmony not only with each other, but also with the surrounding environment.
The most banal way is to select models from one collection, the drawings in which are made in the same style and theme. Animals, plants, inscriptions.
The most harmonious is to find pillowcases with flowers that are repeated in the interior. For example, if your apartment has a gray sofa, a black and white rug, and yellow accents, look for pillows in a black and yellow color scheme.
The photo shows a gray set from the same collection
Decorative pillows support the design concept: textiles in the same style and tone set the mood and transform the space. It is worth changing the curtains and pillowcases to get a completely new living room.
If you are confident in your abilities, choose a complex method: match completely different patterns. Geometric prints, for example, can be combined with inscriptions. Plant elements — with abstraction.
How to match a sofa?
When choosing pillows for a sofa, make sure that they match in:
- color;
- size;
- texture;
- decor;
- style.
There are a large number of color combinations that can be made on the Itten circle. The simplest and most frequently used:
- Monochrome. The color of the pillows repeats the upholstery, but one or two tones darker or lighter (beige – brown).
- Analogy. Close shades are selected: blue – green, red – orange, white – black.
- Contrast. The tones are located opposite each other on the color wheel: yellow – purple, red – green.
Putting pillows on a sofa according to size means keeping the proportions. A small sofa requires small decorative pillows, a massive one, respectively, large ones. The simplest formula: a sofa cushion should be 5-10 cm less than the height of the back. The exception is models with a low back and a wide seat or a narrow seat and a high back. In this case, the dimensions are selected according to the seating area.
The cover material is selected either to repeat the sofa upholstery or to contrast with it. The choice depends on the color: if the sofa cushions are in the same tone, then the material is contrasting. If the color is bright, the same fabric with the upholstery is appropriate.
It is advisable to choose removable covers for decorative pillows – you can wash or replace the pillowcases at any time.
How to arrange them beautifully?
The composition of the pillows is selected depending on the number, size and shape of the sofa.
On straight models, it looks appropriate symmetrical arrangement: take 2-3 pairs of different colors, arrange them in a mirror image. The center is left empty or the only one that differs from the rest is placed.
Asymmetry is used less often. To avoid the overall look being too gaudy, use pillows in the same style, just more on one side than the other.
In corner sofas, the corner is usually considered the center – often all the decor is located there. Or use three points: corner + 2 armrests. You can place bolsters on the sides.
The photo shows a symmetrical composition
How they look in the interior rooms?
In most cases, apartment owners select pillows for the sofa in the living room. They create coziness and are a functional decor for the main room in the house. In the living room, they are used not only on the sofa: to tie the composition together, place additional pillows on the armchairs, put them in baskets near the upholstered furniture.
Comfortable pillows can be combined with a warm blanket, curtains, carpet, paintings on the walls.
Unusual pillows on sofas are used in children’s rooms: often standard pillows are combined with models in the form of stars, plants (leaves, flowers), animals. In children’s rooms, they serve not only as decoration, but also as toys.
They add comfort to the kitchen interior: you can take a comfortable position during long get-togethers with friends or lie down while waiting for dinner to be prepared.
The photo shows sofa pillows in the nursery interior
Original design ideas
The design of the pillows is chosen based on personal preferences and the style of the room. To add a twist to the interior, replace the standard plain models with brighter options decorated with:
- With tassels and pom-poms. They look very gentle and cozy, suitable for the living room and children’s room.
- Embroidery. Depending on the type, you can choose one suitable for any style.
- Fringe. It is not necessary to put it along the edge – use it as a decoration, creating an applique.
- Print. Thanks to modern technology, it is easy to create an individual design. You can print anything: from a last name or a quote to a wedding photo.
- Buttons. They perform not only a decorative, but also a useful function: they hold the filler in place.
- Patch. Volumetric flowers, silhouettes, various plots are not afraid of washing and will not rub off, unlike printing.
- Lace. An idea of a delicate design that goes well with taffeta, burlap, cotton.
In addition, pillows do not necessarily have to be sewn from new purchased fabric: it is more environmentally friendly to use old unnecessary clothes for them. Sweaters, shirts and even jeans will get a second life, and the sofa – an original decor.
The photo shows homemade pillowcases made from shirts