Incorporating Soft Furnishings Successfully
What are soft furnishings? It can be anything from cushions and throws to rugs and curtains. These things add texture and softness to a room. If you don’t add soft furnishings then you often end up with a room that looks flat; like it’s lacking personality. Soft furnishings are an easy a way of introducing your own style, as well as bringing a scheme together. Think about the feeling that you want to achieve whenever you walk into each room. My word is ‘inspired’ and a ‘greige’ room certainly isn’t going to leave me inspired.
Colour
Choose colours that you’re naturally drawn to; forget about trends! That way, you won’t change your mind so quickly and you’ll end up with an interior that you love. I would recommend using at least three colours and no more than five. If you have an existing colour scheme, pull tones from artwork or the sofa. You’ll want to highlight those tones elsewhere in the room so that it all ties in together.
It’s ok to add hints of random colour. If you see a cushion you love that has a touch of orange in it and that doesn’t fit your scheme, you can still make it work. Just make sure that it’s the same depth of colour as the rest of your scheme. For example, you may have an earthy vibe, so saffron, khaki and terracotta would tie in nicely. Or perhaps your scheme is pastel colours, in which case, faded ice cream shades compliment each other. Or maybe you prefer rich jewel tones, so bold colours like emerald, royal blue and ruby red work well together. This is the secret to pulling a look together.
Position
If your sofa is light coloured then start with a darker cushion at the back. In terms of size, go for a 24 inch (60cm) or a 22 inch (55cm) square cushion. Layer with a 20 inch (50cm) and finally add a rectangular one. Think about the scale of the sofa or seat. Start with a 20 inch and move down to an 18 inch (45 cm) etc. if the scale works better. Odd numbers are more visually appealing so I would always group cushions in threes or fives etc.
With rugs, use them to zone spaces (especially useful in open plan rooms). Rugs can also be placed on top of carpet for added dimension. For a traditional look, put the front legs of furniture onto the rug and keep the back legs off.
Practicalities
Not only are soft furnishings essential for a cohesive design, but they’re practical too. Curtains provide insulation, privacy and block out light. Cushions and throws balance out the hard edges of, usually, boxy furniture. They give a feeling of warmth and comfort. Rugs protect floors and absorb sound so your downstairs neighbours will also thank you for it.
In terms of wear and tear, you may want to choose washable, more durable fabrics. There are lots of eco-friendly and practical options available. I like to incorporate cushions, throws and rugs that are made of recycled plastic bottles, for example. They feel like fabric, but you can easily rub stains off them and they’re super durable.
Design
Combine pattern with geometric and plain. Pattern adds dimension and interest. Geometric is anything chequered, striped or repetitive. No matter what you go for, be sure to add texture. Choose chunky knit throws or one with tassels. Instead of prints, choose embroidery, metallics, fringe or beads. This applies to rugs and curtains too. Also, try using round cushions or rugs instead of square ones.
Chop that cushion! I like to fill my cushions with a feather pad and I tend to get a pad that’s one size bigger than the cushion cover to avoid the risk of it looking saggy. Feather filling makes it easier to chop and gives a more high end look.
Texture
I would always recommend experimenting with pattern because it breaks up all those hard lines, which can sometimes feel clinical. However, curtains, in particular, can be an investment. So, if you’re anxious about using pattern then you can still add lots of depth to your design by choosing a neutral colour and adding lots of texture instead. You could go for velvet or linen and introduce pattern into cushions instead. Cushions are much cheaper to swap out if you’re not 100% happy. If you don’t like pattern at all then mix lots of different textures together, for example, wool, leather, raffia, macramé etc. There are so many options available that there really is no reason to use one material, even if you’re after a uniform look.
My style isn’t for minimalists, but if you’re a closet maximalist who just doesn’t know where to start then these simple steps are the foundation:
Add a healthy mix of pattern, geometry and plain styles
Use lots of different textures
Forget about symmetry
Maximalism isn’t about clutter, or ‘having lots of things’. It’s about a cleverly curated design that creates a sensory overload and evokes some sort of emotion. The emotion that you wish to evoke is entirely up to you.
