The Do's and Don'ts of Styling & Decorating Your Home with Cushions

Cushions are one of the easiest ways to transform a room — but are you styling them to their full potential?

In this interview, Tina speaks with No Chintz founder and interior decorating expert Chrissie to uncover the essential do’s and don’ts of decorating your home with cushions. Whether you’re looking to refresh your living room or add comfort and colour to the bedroom, these tips will help you get it right.
 

Tina: Hi Chrissie! First off, can you please tell us what is the function of a cushion?

Chrissie: Cushions serve many purposes, both decorative and functional. Let me share a few:

• Historically, cushions were a way for women to showcase their needlepoint or embroidery skills. These hand-stitched pieces, often filled with horsehair, added charm to armchairs and sofas, while also providing comfort on less-than-ergonomic furniture.

• Today, cushions are essential styling tools. They can subtly echo the colours in your space, pulling tones from rugs, drapes or artwork and bringing cohesion to a room. For example, if you have a black and white sofa and another in tangerine, adding a cushion that incorporates tangerine and white can help both pieces feel connected and intentional.

• Cushions are also incredibly useful when dealing with imperfect spaces. Let’s say you’ve inherited furniture you’re not in love with, or purchased a piece that doesn’t quite work. The right cushion can tie things together and make the room feel considered.

• From a comfort perspective, cushions provide much-needed support, especially as we spend more time sitting. Whether propped behind your back, shoulders or arms, they enhance how we use our furniture.

• And finally, the size of your sofa matters. With today’s deeper sofas, more cushions are often needed to support the back. On the other hand, if your sofa is narrow, go for fewer cushions with a slimmer fill to avoid overcrowding.

 

In a deep sofa, you have the perfect opportunity to layer different sized cushions for both comfort and visual impact. Don’t be afraid to mix large square cushions with smaller rectangles to create depth and interest.

On the other hand, armchairs usually only need one well-chosen cushion. If you’re petite or have a smaller frame, a cushion in a deep armchair or sofa can make a big difference, offering extra support and helping you sit more comfortably for longer periods.

For taller individuals, cushions can be easily removed to provide the extra seat depth or legroom they need to sit comfortably, another reason why versatility in cushion styling is so valuable.

 

Tina: What are some things to avoid when choosing a cushion, Chrissie?
Chrissie: One common mistake is using cushions as a ‘pop of colour’ in a monotone interior, especially when the room is filled with whites, creams or soft neutrals. Brightly coloured cushions in these spaces can be jarring and feel out of place. Instead of enhancing the room, they demand attention and throw the balance off completely.

If your interior is minimalist or neutral, avoid going overboard with overly bold patterns and textures in your cushions. The contrast can become overwhelming rather than sophisticated.

Another big no-no is using matching fabric cushions, especially when they’re made from the same material as your sofa. It flattens the look and lacks interest.

Also, steer clear of cheap polyester fillers. Cushions should have weight and structure, which you’ll get from feather or feather-mix inserts. If you’re allergic to feather, opt for a high-quality hypoallergenic down alternative and make sure to clean them regularly.

Good cushion inserts are key. Cushions are a luxury item - treat them with that in mind.

And finally, if you're decorating a high-use area full of kids or pets, it might be best to skip the cushions altogether or at least limit them to sturdy, washable styles that can handle the chaos.
 

 

Tina: Okay, I think we’re clear on the don’ts! So tell us. what are the do’s when choosing cushions?

Chrissie: First and foremost, choose cushions with comfort in mind. Once you’ve worked out how many you need, focus on creating visual balance.

A simple styling rule is to place darker or solid-coloured cushions at the back, and bring patterns or lighter colours to the front. This layering adds depth and softness.

If your sofa or armchair is on the lighter side, reverse that logic slightly - position lighter-toned cushions more toward the centre and anchor the look with stronger or darker hues on either side.

Another key tip: play with scale. Avoid having too many cushions that are the same size. If you’re using oversized cushions, limit it to two, then add contrast with smaller ones in different shapes or textures.

Speaking of texture, that’s where things get interesting. Mixing velvet, linen, boucle, or even woven styles can elevate your space and make your cushion styling feel layered, tactile, and intentionally designed.

 

If patterns aren’t your thing, that’s totally fine, you can still create visual interest by mixing textures, colours and trims. Think velvet against linen, boucle with cotton or adding subtle embellishments like rope, fringe, piping or braid to a plain cushion. These details can make a world of difference without feeling too loud.

At the end of the day, cushion styling is a personal choice. If your aesthetic leans modern and minimal, keep it simple. Use fewer cushions, tone down the patterns, and focus on comfort and cohesion with your overall space.

 

When working with very plain sofas, I often encourage clients to look to their rugs as inspiration. Rugs are a great starting point for choosing cushion colours, patterns or tones that can help tie the space together.

However, if the client has already matched the sofa and rug too closely, it’s important to create a point of difference. In that case, I recommend adding interest through cushion textures or finishes. Think a touch of sheen, embroidery, or contrast piping to break things up and bring the room to life.

Always invest in the best quality cushions you can afford. A few well-made cushions with beautiful fabrics and quality inserts will elevate your space far more than a pile of cheap, poorly filled ones. When it comes to styling your home with cushions, less but better is a timeless rule to follow.
 

Tina: What are your thoughts on styling cushions on beds, Chrissie?
Chrissie: Personally, I prefer fewer, larger cushions on beds, it feels more relaxed and intentional. But really, it comes down to personal taste.

For children’s or younger beds, I like to keep it simple: one large cushion and one smaller one, maybe something round or a bit playful to add character.

Most people tend to stick with plain bedding, which is perfectly fine and it creates a clean base. If that’s the case, I recommend adding interest elsewhere, like a bold bedhead or a statement cushion to bring the whole look together.
 

Tina: What about outdoor spaces? Outdoor rooms seem to be growing in popularity.
Chrissie: Absolutely, there’s been huge growth in outdoor lounges, poolside furniture, patios and loggias. More than ever, people are wanting to spend time outside on their decks and verandahs, so the focus has shifted to making these areas just as comfortable and stylish as our interiors.

At No Chintz, we’re doing a lot of custom cushions and bench seat pads for built-in seating in outdoor spaces. Deep bench seats, in particular, really benefit from well-designed cushions - they add not only comfort and support but also help soften the overall look and bring in colour and texture that ties the outdoor area back to the home.
 

At No Chintz, we also offer a wide range of outdoor fabrics and ready-made cushions. It’s exciting to see such a strong surge in the production of high-performance outdoor textiles, many of which are now fade-resistant, moisture-resistant and incredibly durable, making them ideal for Australian conditions. With the right materials, you can style your outdoor spaces just as beautifully and comfortably as your interiors.
 

Tina: That’s a lot of great advice, Chrissie! Any final tips before we go cushion shopping?
Chrissie: [Laughs] Honestly, it all comes down to personal taste, but if I had to leave you with a few parting thoughts:

• Be thoughtful with your choices.

• Instead of reaching for a bold “pop of colour,” look to the room itself for inspiration and draw from rugs, artwork or furniture.

• Avoid overloading the space with too many loud patterns. One or two statement cushions is plenty, the rest can be solid colours or subtle textures to create balance.

The key is: you don’t need a pile of “hero” cushions. Just a few well-chosen, high-quality pieces with beautiful fabric, texture, embroidery or trim can do the job beautifully. Then pair them with simpler, complementary cushions for support and layering.

And finally, we’re always here to help. Whether online or in person, the No Chintz team of trained interior designers is ready to guide you in finding the perfect cushions and fabrics to elevate your home.
 

Browse our range of No Chintz, designer cushions and cushion inserts in store and online.
Want to create a custom cushion? Contact our team or call your nearest No Chintz store and we can provide you with expert advice and a quote.

 

Chrissie Jeffrey was chatting with Tina Gomes Brand

Tina Gomes Brand is a freelance writer who searches out all things creative from food and architecture to travel, fashion and interiors.
Brand writes from a broad experience of interacting with various cultures and collaborating with creative people everywhere.