One of the things our design clients here at TLC Interiors always struggle with is putting together cushion combinations for the sofas in their home.
Often I’ll do the in-home consultation and they’ll admit they find it hard to pair scatter cushions. And I totally hear them (and you too if you’re in the same boat). There’s colour to consider, pattern to think about, inserts to stress over. It can be a bit much to take on if you don’t deal in cushions on-the-daily like we do.
So today I thought, why not present you with 24 of my fail-safe cushion groupings so you can click-clack the options into your cart and have them at your place in no time? These combinations have been put together with interior design styles in mind (like Hamptons, luxe, boho and more). And here’s the best part: every three-piece cushion combo comes in at under $100 for the lot. I know right: I’m doing God’s work!
Before We Start: Tips on Grouping Scatter Cushions
I tend to follow the same strategy every time I style up a client’s sofa. Regardless of the colour of the sofa, the size of the sofa, or what the design style of the home is, the cushions are always purchased with the same approach in mind.
I always include three different cushions on a sofa and the set it usually made up of:
- 1 x cushion in a solid colour, simple in form that differs from the colour of the sofa
- 1 x cushion in solid colour, but with some texture to it like tassels, a weave, faux fur etc
- 1 x cushion with a pattern on it, that acts as the eye-catching accent piece in the space
You can see this rule in action above in the living room from our Bentleigh Project.
Now, at times (and you’ll see it in the cushions in the mood boards below) we might bend the rules a little. Some clients don’t want pattern at all, because the vibe of the living room is super subdued. So sometimes that last cushion features no pattern but a little hint of texture. That texture might just be as simple as a velvet or leather cover, to give the scene a little tactility.
The cushions in number 6 position of the mood further down, for example, is a similar set to one I got for my clients in Thornbury. Their vibe was very calm-coastal-boho, and they really didn’t want anything demanding attention. But for the most part, I always stick to the three-cushion approach I listed above.
Now, How Many Cushions to Buy for your Sofa
So you’re probably looking at the cushions below thinking… do I buy just one set of these or two? Well, that’s all going to differ depending on how big your sofa is, firstly. But what mood you want to achieve also comes into play. Some of you will prefer a decluttered, minimalist look. Others will feel drawn to a rather full sofa. And some of you want formality.
Personally for me at home, and when I style for clients, I’m take a ‘more is more’ approach. I pack on as many cushions onto a sofa as I can without it looking ridiculous. There’s a fine line between a full sofa and it looking like a ball pit at a kids play centre. Nobody wants to sit down to watch TV and be sucked into a cushion vortex they may never escape from.
I tend to follow this numbered approach when styling scatter cushion combinations on a sofa:
- For a two-seater sofa, I’d go four cushions (double up on the solid-colour cushion in the mood boards)
- For a three or four-seater sofas, I’d style five (three cushions at one end, with two on the other)
- For larger sofas with a chaise, I’d go with six cushions at least (two sets of the combinations listed below)
- And for big sectionals, I’d honestly do nine cushions (three at either end, and then three in the corner)
Again, sometimes the rules can change depending on the client, but this is how I normally approach it, and how I recommend you to it at home on your sofa too. The team at Metricon have it right in their display home above. See inside the rest of this stunning home in this post.
Now that you’re all good to go, let’s take a look at some of my fave cushion combinations for a sofa, all for under $100 a curated set.
Here’s the first batch of 12 curated cushions for your sofa. What’s kept the total price per three-cushion pack below $100 is the retailers I’ve selected from. I’m talking bargains from the likes of Kmart, Target, Big W, Spotlight, Pillow Talk and more.
I’ve also mixed all the brands up too, because I’m a big fan of grabbing a bit from Store A, something from Store B, and a bargain from Store C. The best homes are honestly a combo of brands and prices.
1. Autumn Cushion Blue | Fern Pillow Natural | Botanica Cushion
2. Harlow Cushion White | Nomad Printed Cushion Blue | Sahara Cushion Navy
3. Chenille Cushion Navy | Coastal Tile Cushion | Isla Cushion White
4. Shepard Cushion Olive | Margot Tufted Cushion | Stella Cushion
5. Acacia Cushion | Brooke Cushion in Natural | Anastacia Cushion Aqua
6. Aries Cushion Natural | Edmonton Cushion Olive | Rectangle Cushion Tan
7. Grace Cushion Blue | Pleated Velvet Cushion Red | Lynch Embroidered Cushion
8. Windsor Cushion Burgundy | Jamelia Cushion | Round Velvet Cushion Pink
9. Lucy Blush Cushion | Teal Velvet Cushion | St Kilda Canvas Cushion
10. Gigi Cushion Russet | Moss Knit Cushion Natural | Sicily Girls Cushion
11. Brooke Cushion Natural | Ashton Cushion Black | Isa Tassel Cushion
12. Quinn Cushion Charcoal | Velvet Cushion Cedar | Block Geo Print Cushion
The scatter cushion bonanza continues below. I’ve got 12 more cushion combinations for you, and as mentioned already I’ve grouped them by style. Row one is Hamptons, row two is neutrals, and it goes from there. I’m sure you’ll find something that fits in with your scheme at home.
Once again with this curated cushion mood board, all of the cushions are from different retailers but they’re all at really good prices. Now, you know I’ve harped on about the types of cushion inserts every cushion in your house should have on the blog before. But if you happen to find a cushion that’s got the wrong flat insert in it, still buy the cover and refill with your own plump filling!
1. Airlie Cushion Grey | Brunswick Cushion Navy | Laura Cushion
2. Tassel Cushion Denim Blue | Mariana Fringed Cushion Grey | Jed Printed Cushion Blue
3. Lucy Cushion Grey | Arctic Faux Fur Cushion | Ombre Blue Cushion
4. Parker Cushion Black | Herringbone Jacquard Cushion | Austin Cowhide Cushion
5. Zola Cushion Tan | Bahati Cushion | Corey Textured Cushion Black
6. Vera Faux Fur Cushion | Guggenheim Cushion Abstract | Rio Cushion Black
7. Juni Face Print Cushion | Textured Tassel Cushion Mint | Kei Cushion Pink
8. Jungle Cushion | Ashton Cushion Olive | Windsor Cushion Rose
9. Kalei Cushion | Velvet Look Cushion Green | Windsor Cushion Latte
10. Colette Black Cushion | Velvet Cushion Ginger | Palermo Pinks Cushion
11. Diamond Cushion Cover Charcoal | Kira Cushion Sand | Faux Shearling Cushion Brown
12. Koo Cushion Black | Guggenheim Cushion Floral | Imari Cushion Siera
Let’s Talk Out Your Cushion Combo Conundrums
Still got a few burning questions about the scatter cushion combinations you want for your sofa? I’m all ears! Drop me a comment below with any questions you might have and I’ll jump in and point you in the right direction.
Of course, if you want to ask questions of me and other decorating junkies directly, you should probably come join my Private Facebook Group.
Happy decorating at your place!
Hi,
How do u choose cushions for bed? I have white walls, black headboard, white duvet covers and dark grey throw? How many cushions and which colour i can use? I want to use pattern too, cause everything is plain.
Thank you
Hi Charu, you have a fairly neutral palette to build on so you have a lot of options. Do you have any art in the room you can take inspiraiton from? You could choose two complimentary colours from that and use it for the cushions. Get two cushions the same, maybe in flat colour, and another in a different colour with some pattern.
What a great piece…we want to be comfy and happy in our space but may not want or think it’s ok to spend big bucks. I am lucky enough to work in a second chance shop where what other people discard become another’s cherished posession. This means opportunity to buy items and check out what colour/style works for me. Talk about a learning curve. Bravo to you and thinking of us who want to style but aren’t going to spend a fortune.
Hey Chris! Thanks for this! Any tips for contemporary/modern space with a big ugly black leather couch? Stuck with it at the moment unfortunately (hoping I can sell to a fool next year for enough to buy a new better couch haha)
Hey Melissa. With leather sofas I tend to style them velvet cushions, or leather cushions. They tend to stay more and not move around as much. As for colour, it depends on the other tones in your space. But black and white, grey and white, or some bold colours will all work.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you Chris. I have been struggling with this conundrum for years. I have to swap cushions in & out over and over again until I find a look that I like. The 3 cushion rule makes this sooooo much easier.
Thanks Chris
Although they might end up outside the $100 budget, can you provide the link(s) to the cushions in your blog header image – blue cable knit, plain blue with tassles & the black/white crosses?
Hey Hannah. All of the cushions in the hero image in the post are from BIGW. But the photo was taken a little while ago so they would be old stock. Definitely check out BIGW though as they have a tonne of good new ones.
Thanks Chris, I got cautious about purchasing cushions ever since I bought the two leather woven ones (the same you used in the Bentleigh project) – my hubby nearly divorced me when he found out the price, hahaha!
So your help with these more affordable sets is MUCH appreciated!
Hahaha oh Renata! I’m sure he’s spent some dollars on things too.
Does size matter? (no really, is there any rule?)
No hard and fast rules, just have a play
Love your thoughts on which cushion combos to use for an Art Deco look. I know I need to choose couch colour first but any thoughts appreciated!
Sofa colour definately needs to be considered, but a few options that might work: 6 to 12 in the first group, 7-12 in the second.
Hey Chris!
Happy New Year! We have a dark chocolate brown couch, it’s a two seater and has 2 matching recliners. They look like retirement home couches, bulky a bit puffy…my lovely sister honestly (would of sounded rude to an outsider!) confirmed this to be true. I would probably burn them for their ugliness (or do the responsible thing and donate them) but this is what we have to work with. What colours would you pair with a dark chocolate coloured couch to have them look “youthful” and not “sensible senior citizen”.
Thank you in advance. Loved this article it has arrived just in time as I’ve been pondering cushions for about 2 weeks.
Hey Estelle, I don’t envy you! If you’re stuck with the couches, consider 6 & 7 from the first group or 4 & 5 from the second. Depends on a bit on the actual shade of couch. I’m afraid they’re still going to look like the puffy sad couches they are, there’s only so much a cushion can do!
With a sofa under artwork are you best to stay with plain but textured cushion rather than a print?
Hi Debbie, not necessarily. If the print of the cushion speak to the artwork, go for it. I’d just stick to one type of printed cushion though so you’re eye isn’t pulled in too many directions. Keep the rest textured and plain.
How do you style a couch that doesn’t have arms? At our holiday home, we have a 3 seater sofa bed (IKEA NYHAMN) which is great for durability and an extra bed when needed, but it doesn’t have arms and I have no idea how to style the cushions on it. It is quite a deep sofa because it essentially flattens into a double bed, so we have 2 x 65cm square and 4 x 50cm square cushions just plonked on it. 😉
Hey Rebecca, style it much the same, just the cushions will be front on instead of stacked against the arms. MAYBE a cushion or two less than a regular sofa (it pains me to say that). You can still have a throw but it goes over the back of the sofa instead of the arm. Side tables will be low, roughly the height of the seat cushion.
Thanks so much – really appreciate your detailed reply!