Dear Chey,
Sometimes people put extra cushions on the bed or sofa. I always put them on the floor because I don’t think they serve a purpose. Do cushions have a purpose? Or are they just fluff?
-NavyBlue
Hi NavyBlue,
I have to be careful what I say here because there are some in the design community who are militant about the need for cushions. If we’re talking function, decorative cushions aren’t functional and don’t make the experience of a bed or sofa better. There are situations where cushions add comfort, like stiff rental beds or sofa beds, but for the most part they’re called in to sit and look pretty.
But being decorative is a function in its own right
Say you were visiting a friend and they lived in a beautiful apartment. It had all of the things you associate with beauty and opulence. For me, that would be natural materials, rich colours and decor (including decorative cushions). The preview has got you excited for the guest space, right? Now what if after walking through beautiful rooms, you enter the guest room and it’s like a prison cell. It’s got a bed but just plain bedding, a metal frame bed, neglected walls and a single, intense light hanging over the set up.
I don’t know if you’re the type to say “well, it’s functional,” but I’d be pretty put off by that stark contrast. If you are the type to expect little from others, imagine that you are the friend with a lovely home and a very drab guest room. You’d feel greedy, no?
Now if you’d want to make sure your guests have all the bells and whistles, why would you not do that for yourself when you live there everyday?
Interiors and home decor, like most design, is subjective
Decoration helps you tell others about yourself. You can signal your interests, hobbies and culture just by what you curate for your home. The truth is, you don’t need decorative pillows and there are other ways to decorate. But if you’re going to do it, make sure it aligns with your style, meets your needs and makes you feel good.
If you’re looking for other decor, Desenio just dropped three new art collections and there are gorgeous rechargeable light offerings on the market for any design style. If you’re looking for functional cushions, I spoke with Ruma this week about outdoor hosting and they recommended to me their heated outdoor cushions, which do serve a functional purpose.
Don’t let me, the algorithm, or anyone else tell you what to do. But don’t think that cushions or any other decor are just fluff. For the right person, they are more important than the bed or sofa itself.
-Chey
If you want to ask Cheyenne an interior design or decor question, you can send your submissions here.
Leave a Reply