Anyone interested in interior design has probably noticed bright and original sofa pillows in model photos. They attract the eye and sometimes become the main decor, emphasizing the style and harmonizing the overall color scheme.
This is also a favorite item for needlewomen, because making a pillow with your own hands is not at all difficult, and there are hundreds of original ideas for reusing fabrics and threads when making pillows of various shapes and sizes.
At the same time, a pillow is the most “capricious” type of decor. If selected incorrectly and of poor quality, this product can create dissonance and become an unnecessary thing that you don’t want to throw away and don’t want to keep.
The first piece of advice is that if a pillow doesn’t suit your needs, it’s better to get rid of it right away; time is unlikely to correct the situation. And in order not to lead to this, you should tune in to a thoughtful and fastidious process of choosing a sofa cushion.
General rules for selecting decorative pillows
Color and texture are the main selection criteria and require special attention. Pillows that match the color of the sofa or are made from the same upholstery fabric are the most common mistakes.
The only thing that modern interiors cannot tolerate is banality and boredom. This seemingly harmless principle of decoration disguises pillows, introducing them into the category of unnecessary decor.
In all cases, without exception, the impression of a cluttered space is created, which is unlikely to contribute to comfort.
Also controversial is the solution in which the cushion covers are made of the same material as the curtains or are perfectly matched to match. It is often used in two-tone interior design, which in itself leaves much to be desired.
Such a solution, even if expensive decoration and furniture is used, creates an unnatural and lifeless monotony. It is the decor of the third color that can save the situation.
Don't rush to sew cushion covers from leftover upholstery fabric or curtains. This conservative and outdated technique can only be used in the rarest cases, when the owners of the house have decided to fanatically adhere to the retro style they know.
The use of simple one-color pillows cannot be rejected as categorically. But in most cases, especially with monochromatic sofas and curtains, they also create a boring monotony.
Another ironclad rule when choosing is design. Whether you buy ready-made pillows, sew them yourself, or place an order in a special salon, you must first imagine how many pillows and what sizes you need to purchase, and then choose the color and texture.
Another option is to gradually replenish the pillow set, starting with the purchase of one or a pair of decorative pillows. But even in this case, you will need to keep the finished image in your head.
An integrated approach takes into account several parameters - color, texture, number, shape and size - which should ultimately form a harmonious combination that is easy to use and pleasing to the eye.
Material for making cases
Nowadays, many materials are used to make pillowcases and covers. These are wool, cotton, leatherette and leather, burlap, velor, fur, satin, silk.
It is possible to make any covers from the material you like. To do this, you just need to make the necessary pattern with a specialist and you will have an exclusive piece of furniture.
There are also plenty of variations for decoration. For this they use: beads, lace, beads, decorative laces and bows, embroidery, applique, rhinestones, etc. If you wish, you can revive old covers yourself by watching a master class on the Internet.
Stylists recommend having no more than seven pillows in one room, otherwise you risk cluttering the space. Also, you should not take pillowcases that are too pretentiously decorated - using a maximum of decorative ornaments, it looks cheap. Keep everything in moderation.
Contrast is the basis of selection
There are two types of contrast: by color saturation and by the conventional color circle, which consists of colors visible to the human eye located along the light spectrum.
In the first case, the color ratio of the upholstery of upholstered furniture and pillows is selected according to the light-dark principle. The range of tones should be large enough so that the pillow stands out clearly against the background.
Second option: choosing colors located on opposite arcs of the color wheel. Examples of contrasting pairs: orange and blue, red and green, purple and khaki, purple and yellow.
It is logical to assume that when there is a pattern on a pillow or upholstery, the main color is usually taken as the basis for the contrast.
But you can also create a contrast with only one, not necessarily the dominant, color, while respecting the principle of light and dark. This mechanism, which is difficult to explain, is quite simple in the case of visualization.
So, for example, on a white sofa, black and white pillows with a geometric pattern look good, if black predominates. Pillows with red embroidery on a light background will suit dark green upholstery.
Those who like a restrained and monochrome color scheme should combine colors in halftones, but at the same time, decorative pillows will need to be highlighted due to the difference in textures. Silk, velvet, fur-like fabrics that differ from the sofa upholstery will help to emphasize the decor.
Cloud
A cloud-shaped pillow can be a cute soft addition to the side of a baby's crib. To do this you will need:
- natural cotton fabric (light blue, light blue, white or turquoise);
- cotton threads to match the color of the fabric;
- dental floss (black and pink);
- needles for dental floss;
- ring;
- pencil;
- rule;
- scissors;
- hollow fiber;
- paper.
Draw the outline of the future product on paper, while aligning the bottom of the cloud. Transfer the pattern to the fabric and cut out 2 parts from the pillow, not forgetting the margins. On one of the parts of the blank, draw closed eyes, a mouth and blush with a pencil and rub them with thread.
It is strictly forbidden to use ready-made eyes, buttons and other accessories for dolls - a child can easily tear off small parts that can easily get into the stomach or respiratory tract.
Then pin the pieces together with the right sides facing in and sew the edges along the outlined outline, leaving a pocket at the bottom. Roll the product through the resulting pocket, fill it with holofiber and sew it manually
Combining pillows
With the classic symmetrical arrangement of two pairs of decorative pillows on the sides of the sofa, also in the case when creative disorder is imitated, the same principle of contrast between dark and light is used: the first pillow is combined with the sofa, the second with the first.
That is, if the sofa is dark, there are light pillows in the background, dark ones in the front.
These rules are just a guide for combining different textures, shapes and sizes of decorative pillows.
Modern interior design concepts open up wide opportunities for realizing the creative potential of every person. And you can start this process with the help of the multi-style design and European quality of Ikea pillows.
Form
The shape of the pillows is chosen based on the style in which the furniture is designed.
⦁ Massive low sofas
elongated shapes are well complemented by bolster pillows, as well as products in the shape of an elongated rectangle.
⦁ Classic furniture
combine with square pillows with slightly rounded corners.
⦁ For sofas and armchairs with original elegant shapes
You can put round pillows decorated with tassels and fringe.
Photo of pillows for the sofa
Combination with curtains
Considering that other details are selected after the curtains are hung, you can very easily cope with the selection of appropriate colors and materials.
There are also specialized services where curtain studios and boutiques can offer sewing pillow covers. In this case, you won’t have to look for the material yourself and rack your brains over what color to choose.
Focus on accent elements
Considering that in addition to pillows, other details can be used to complement the interior, these are the ones you should look at when choosing the color of the covers.
Together, such seemingly small things will be in perfect harmony, despite the fact that they will absolutely not interfere with each other or other objects in the room.
