Interior experts say your sofa cushions absolutely don’t need to match – this is the one rule they recommend following instead

Who doesn’t love sofa cushions?! They are one of the easiest ways to embrace a new trend, add an extra layer of texture to the living room and to jazz up any old (or new) sofa. But should sofa cushions match one another in order to create a luxurious, sophisticated look?

Even the best sofa can be further elevated by the right selection of cushions – but styling them can be both fun and a challenge at the same time. While traditionally, sofa cushions would usually be matching, these days, it’s the exact opposite.

‘I’m a firm believer that sofa cushions don’t need to match one another,’ says Sabina Miller, buying director at Heal’s. ‘Embracing clashing prints, patterns, textures, and bold colours can transform any settee into a beautiful focal point in your living room, creating a visually striking and uniquely personal look. Mixing different designs adds depth and character, making your sofa arrangement a vibrant reflection of your individual interior style.’

But this leads to more questions. The biggest of which is likely this – how do you know what cushions to group together? Since opting for matching cushions is not something our interior experts recommend, they’ve shared an alternative rule to follow in order to make your cushions look more expensive and always end up with a perfectly styled sofa.

What rule experts recommend following instead

Similarly to the rule on how many cushions you should have on your sofa, there’s also an expert-backed recommendation for when you’re choosing your sofa cushion designs – and that advice is that there should be a commonality between them to prevent clashing and to show that your styling was deliberate.

‘Mixing different cushions can actually add personality and depth to a space,’ says Victoria Foster, interior stylist at ScS. ‘However, they should complement each other in at least one of these areas: their colour palette, texture, or pattern to create a cohesive look. You can effortlessly achieve a layered and dynamic aesthetic with varying sizes, shapes, and styles.’

Shelley Cochrane, accessories buyer at Furniture Village, agrees, ‘Cushions don’t necessarily need to match perfectly, but they should have some unifying element, such as a colourway or design motif – a common thread that weaves the look together. This provides cohesion without making the space feel too “matchy.” For example, cushions might feature different patterns – one might have stripes while another has a geometric print, but both could use a similar colour scheme to tie them together.’

When it comes to the cushions’ colours, keep the overall living room colour scheme and sofa shade in mind, too, so that it complements them as well.

Should your cushions match your sofa?

We’ve already established that your sofa cushions don’t need to match each other, as long as there is some kind of a common theme running through them all. But when it comes to the question of whether you should match your cushions to your sofa, the answer is not so clear-cut. There are valid arguments for both sides.

If you’re going for a minimalist or a very one-toned look, matching your cushions to your sofa can work and make your sofa look expensive. ‘Whether the cushions need to match the sofa depends on preference; if you seek a polished and coherent aesthetic, cushions with similar styles will be best,’ says Paulina Wojas, interior designer at Lovesofas.

Lena Gierasinska, head of product and displays at Barker and Stonehouse adds, ‘Uniformity can work in certain settings, like a minimalist design.’

She then adds, rooting for the other side of the argument, ‘Cushions do not need to match a sofa. Having cushions in colours or patterns that contrast with the sofa can help break up solid tones and bring life to the design.’

Victoria at ScS continues, ‘Sofa cushions don’t need to match the sofa exactly, but they should harmonise with it. If the sofa is a neutral colour, you might use bold or patterned cushions to add visual interest. Conversely, if the sofa is a statement piece with a strong colour or pattern, consider using more subtle cushions to balance the overall look.’

Cushions are hard workers, serving both a functional and aesthetic purpose, making our sofas more stylish and more comfortable at the same time. But these tips will make them work even harder for you and your living space.