How to choose the best throw pillows for your couch

How to choose and arrange couch cushions

Arranging your couch cushions is more than just tossing them wherever they happen to fit. But, it’s also not complicated to create an attractive look.

You should use small groupings of 2-3 cushions in each corner of your couch.

For a straight couch, that means an arrangement of cushions on each end.

For an L-shaped sectional sofa, that means one arrangement on each end and one in the middle.

To improve the look of your cushion arrangements, vary your cushion sizes.

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. When you step back and look at your cushions, generally both sides should hold similar visual weight. Each cushion arrangement doesn’t have to be identical, but you’ll want to avoid a totally unbalanced look.

Another way to can achieve that attractive-but-balanced look is to vary textures and patterns.

By using different colours and contrasting patterns, you can create a more interesting look even if you don’t have cushions of multiple sizes.

When you buy a couch that comes with throw pillows, they usually match the couch’s upholstery—not particularly interesting from a design perspective. In that case you can either buy new covers or entirely new cushions, which brings us to our next topic.

How to pick the right couch cushions

There are two parts to a good throw pillow: the cover and the insert. Fortunately, you can buy them separately, which means you can buy covers based on their appearance and inserts based on their comfort.

Source: Brad Javernick of Home Oomph

When it comes to couch cushion inserts, nothing beats feather (if you can afford it).

Feather cushions are softer and more comfortable than synthetic inserts like polyester. Most couches that come with throw pillows feature poly inserts, which leave something to be desired in the comfort department.

Usually, it’s easiest to look for inserts and covers separately. That way, you can choose the right couch cushions for both comfort and style.

Just make sure to buy cushion covers that feature a zipper so it’s easy to swap them out.

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