DECORATIVE CUSHIONS: 5 TIPS ON HOW TO ARRANGE THEM

6/23/2023

When choosing decorative cushions for our bed, the primary point to analyze is the style, which should be as consistent as possible with the style of the rest of the furnishings. Remember that, despite being called "decorative cushions," before considering the quantity of cushions to use and their sizes, we must determine their function. In fact, there are three types of cushions to consider:

A. Sleeping cushions, the classic pillows that provide us rest during the night, which we can choose to hide under the duvet or include as part of the decorative composition.

B. Functional decorative cushions, also very comfortable to use as additional pillows for the night or as temporary support during small moments of relaxation.

C. Purely decorative cushions, which have the advantage of adding an extra touch of class to the style of our bed!

decorative_cushions:_5_tips_on_how_to_arrange_them_IDW-Italia-Prague-Biella

Once you have decided on the quantity of cushions to place on your bed, the style to follow, and the various sizes of each, all that's left is to get creative with their arrangement. Let's explore 5 truly exciting examples!


Simple and Coordinated:

If the idea is to use some decorative cushions in a simple and uncluttered manner, consider a maximum of 4 cushions: two sleeping pillows and two functional decorative cushions, with sizes gradually decreasing. Opt for the same shape, texture, and colors within the same type.

decorative_cushions:_5_tips_on_how_to_arrange_them_IDW-Italia-Prague-Biella


Gradient of Colors and Same Type:

If your bed has a prominent headboard, you can go for a broader range, considering around 6-8 cushions arranged in a checkerboard pattern. These cushions should share a common texture and pattern, placed on the bed in a gradient fashion both in terms of sizes and shades. The color tone should be the same, albeit with different intensities.

decorative_cushions:_5_tips_on_how_to_arrange_them_IDW-Italia-Prague-Biella


The Solitary Cushion:

In addition to the two sleeping pillows and two decorative cushions, a stylish alternative could be placing a solitary cushion at the center of our decorative composition or even in complete solitude at the center of our bed. Consider using a texture that echoes another important element of the room's decor. Furthermore, being a standalone piece, you can vary it according to seasons or annual festivities, further characterizing the atmosphere of your bed!

decorative_cushions:_5_tips_on_how_to_arrange_them_IDW-Italia-Prague-Biella


Mix Different Textures:

Mixing textures while maintaining consistent shapes and colors is an excellent way to add depth to the dedicated space of our bed. Consider alternating solid tones and simple materials with different textures, such as knitted, velvet, or fur cushions.

decorative_cushions:_5_tips_on_how_to_arrange_them_IDW-Italia-Prague-Biella


All Different:

An original idea could be to consider cushions of completely different shapes, textures, and sizes and arrange them in a random yet carefully planned manner. Otherwise, it may give the impression of chaos and disorder, even making it visually unpleasant and unbalanced. To achieve the best result, it's important to consider a few base colors as a starting point for choosing various shades and tones.

decorative_cushions:_5_tips_on_how_to_arrange_them_IDW-Italia-Prague-Biella


Cristiano Castaldi IDW Italia
Cristiano Castaldi

Interior Designer since 1985

CEO & Founder, Italian Design in the World

Related Articles

  • Honest Materials: The Aesthetics of Truth (and the End of “Fake Luxury”)
    2/27/2026 Honest Materials: The Aesthetics of Truth (and the End of “Fake Luxury”)

    For years, interior design has lived with a contradiction: an obsession with effect.
Marble-effect. Wood-effect. Metal-effect. Stone-effect.
A home that looks like something, rather than truly being something.

  • The Anti-Algorithm Home: Spaces That Aren’t Instagrammable (But Truly Livable)
    2/13/2026 The Anti-Algorithm Home: Spaces That Aren’t Instagrammable (But Truly Livable)

    For years, we designed homes as if they had to pass a constant visual exam: perfect light, perfect white, the right chair, the right vase. Interiors built to be photographed more than lived in.
Digital aesthetics — polished, minimal, hyper-ordered — entered interior design like an unspoken rule: if it isn’t “clean,” it isn’t beautiful; if it isn’t coherent, it isn’t successful; if it can’t be shown, it isn’t desirable.In 2026, this narrative is losing its power. Not because beauty matters less, but because beauty alone is no longer enough.
A new need is emerging: anti-algorithm interiors, spaces not designed for the shot, but for everyday life. Less performative homes, more real ones. Environments that don’t seek approval — they restore energy.This is not a return to chaos. It’s a return to meaning.

  • The End of the Open Space: The Return of Thresholds
    1/30/2026 The End of the Open Space: The Return of Thresholds

    For years, open-plan living symbolized contemporary domestic design: fluid, bright, without barriers.
A response to the desire for freedom, openness, and visual continuity.Today, that promise is being reconsidered.
In 2026, many projects mark a shift — not a rejection of open space, but its critical evolution. The return of thresholds.

  • Interiors That Age Well: Designing Spaces Beyond Trends
    1/23/2026 Interiors That Age Well: Designing Spaces Beyond Trends

    One of the most underestimated challenges in contemporary design is time.
Not the time required to design a space, but the time the space must endure: years of daily life, change, wear, and transformation.

  • Living as a Cultural Act: When the Home Becomes a Position
    1/09/2026 Living as a Cultural Act: When the Home Becomes a Position

    In recent years, the home has stopped being a simple functional container.
It has become an extension of how we think, how we experience time, and how we relate to the world. Living today is a cultural act — a conscious choice that reflects values, priorities, and pace of life. It’s no longer just about aesthetics. It’s about position.

  • The Aesthetics of Ritual: How Design Shapes Everyday Habits
    1/02/2026 The Aesthetics of Ritual: How Design Shapes Everyday Habits

    Homes have become more than places — they have become temporal landscapes.
Design is shifting from objects to gestures, from furniture to the choreography of daily life.