With so many cushion styles to choose from, knowing how to combine them can feel overwhelming. But starting with a simple formula makes it easier to pull everything together.
In this guide, you’ll find a collection of easy-to-follow cushion formulas designed to help you mix solids, stripes, textures and prints with confidence.
There’s no single ‘right’ way to decorate. Homes are personal, and no rule can truly capture that. But exploring these combinations and applying them to our best cushions offers a helpful place to start.
We’ll also walk you through how to tailor these formulas to suit your space, from colour and size to quantity and placement, so you can create a cushion arrangement that feels balanced, stylish and unmistakably yours.
How to tailor each cushion combo formula
Our cushion combo formulas give you a starting point when choosing your cushions, but how they come together in your space is up to you. Here are a few simple decisions to make as you bring them to life.
Colour
You get to choose the colours for each formula, and there are a few easy ways to go here. A tonal palette uses different shades from the same colour family, such as ivory, taupe and beige. A monochrome look uses a single colour, like lovely sage green, across all designs for a cohesive, layered feel. Or you can go for a contrasting approach by pairing colours that stand apart but still work well together, like gorgeous rust and olive, or moody navy and mustard. See our article on what colour cushions for more palette ideas.
Size and shape
You can mix sizes and shapes however you like with these formulas. Using a variety adds structure and interest, while keeping them all the same size creates a tidy and uniform feel. Using different cushion sizes gives you more flexibility when layering and helps build depth.
Number
Our formulas feature three-cushion combinations, but they’re easy to scale up. For example, to scale up the Solid + Stripe + Floral formula to five cushions, you can simply repeat your solid and stripe while keeping the floral as a feature. Use the formula as a starting point, not a fixed rule. See our article about how many cushions to use for suggestions on the number of cushions for different furniture sizes.
Layering
We don’t prescribe how to layer each cushion in our formulas, but a few guidelines help. Layer larger cushions at the back and work forward to smaller ones. Solid plain cushions make a great base to layer on and can help break up busy patterns or detailed prints. Pattern on pattern can work, as long as the pattern sizes (scale) are different enough to create contrast.
Cushion combination formulas
When creating a harmonious cushion arrangement, certain combinations reliably bring balance, texture, and visual interest. These cushion formulas act as practical starting points, blending solids, patterns, and textures to help you achieve a layered, stylish look. Explore these classic mixes and adapt them to suit your space and style.
Solid + Stripe + Floral
A timeless cushion combination that feels balanced, layered, and full of charm. The solid grounds the arrangement, the stripe brings rhythm, and the floral adds personality and softness.
Do this:
- Start with a solid cushion to anchor the look. It creates calm and gives your patterns room to shine.
- Add a stripe for structure and contrast. Vertical or narrow stripes work well to keep things classic.
- Finish with a printed floral cushion to introduce movement and an organic touch. Layer from back to front, with the floral as your feature.
Styling tip:
To scale up, repeat the solid and stripe in complementary tones and keep your floral print as the hero. This works especially well in five cushion arrangements on larger sofas or beds.
Solid + Small Pattern + Large Pattern
A stylish way to layer patterned cushions without it feeling chaotic, this combo uses scale and simplicity to keep things balanced. The solid keeps things grounded while the patterns create depth and contrast.
Do this:
- Start with a solid cushion to create a strong, grounding base.
- Add a small-scale pattern like a dot, fine repeating floral, or tight geometric design to introduce a touch of detail without overwhelming the palette.
- Finish with a bold, large-scale pattern, such as larger motifs or sweeping prints, to draw the eye and add character.
Styling tip:
To scale this formula up, double up your solids or small-scale patterns. Varying cushion sizes helps each element stand out and creates a natural layering effect.
Solid + Solid Texture + Pattern
This formula is one of the easiest cushion combinations to pull off, ideal for anyone who wants a refined look with minimal fuss. The solids provide a base, and the pattern adds flair.
Do this:
- Start with a plain solid cushion in a colour that is different to your sofa or bed, it anchors the arrangement and sets the tone for your palette.
- Add a second solid with a contrasting texture, like linen, boucle, or soft to touch velvet, to bring depth and variety.
- Finish with a patterned, floral, geometric, or decorative style cushion, to add personality and act as the accent piece of the arrangement.
Styling tip:
Keep the palette tonal for a soft, layered feel, or introduce contrast by mixing different colours. Use the solids as your base, and layer the patterned piece in front as a statement.
Stripe + Small Pattern + Large Pattern
A confident combination that mixes rhythm, detail, and drama. The stripe adds structure, the small pattern brings texture, and the large pattern becomes the standout.
Do this:
- Begin with a striped cushion to set a structured base that brings visual rhythm.
- Layer a small-scale pattern, such as a tight gingham or petite florals, for delicate contrast and visual intrigue.
- Finish with a bold, large-scale pattern like a designer cushion with a dramatic motif or sweeping floral to serve as the centerpiece.
Styling tip:
Opt for stripes and patterns in a similar colour palette for cohesion, or choose complementary tones, like navy and rust, to introduce subtle drama. Alternating sizes keeps the layout from looking flat and adds dimension.
Solid + Stripe + Focal Print
This formula balances boldness and order, perfect for creating a focal point while still keeping things cohesive. The solid grounds, the stripe adds structure, and the print makes a statement.
Do this:
- Start with a solid cushion as your base, it’s the anchor that keeps the overall look from feeling too busy.
- Add a striped cushion in a colour that either matches or contrasts with the solid to bring energy and rhythm.
- Finish with a focal print featuring multi-coloured or bold designs to create a striking centrepiece for your combination.
Styling tip:
Repeat the solid or stripe if you want a larger number of cushions, keeping the focal print as your main accent. To tie everything together, pick out one or two colours from the focal design and echo them across the solid and stripe.
Solid Texture 1 + Solid Texture 2 + Solid Texture 3
This formula is all about depth and quiet sophistication, perfect for calm spaces that still need something interesting. By keeping to solid colours but mixing textures, you get a look that’s cohesive yet layered.
Do this:
- Start with a solid cushion in a smooth texture like cotton or a cotton-linen blend to ground the look.
- Add a second cushion with a slightly different texture, such as linen, to introduce gentle contrast and depth.
- Finish with a third solid in a more tactile fabric, such as velvet or tactile boucle, to introduce extra dimension.
Styling tip:
Stick to a tonal palette for a relaxed, understated effect, or mix contrasting colours for something bolder. The key is to keep the textures distinct because that’s what gives this combo its quiet impact.
Neutral Solid + Neutral Solid + Focal Print
This combination is simple, versatile, and almost foolproof, perfect for anyone wanting a stylish look without overthinking colour coordination. The neutral cushions go with almost anything while the focal print adds personality and polish.
Do this:
- Start with a solid neutral cushion in a soft, versatile tone, such as light beige or soft grey, to act as your base.
- Add a second neutral in a deeper or warmer tone, like deep charcoal to match soft grey or taupe to complement beige, to create subtle contrast.
- Finish with a focal print cushion featuring bolder colours or a lively pattern, serving as the statement piece that brings life to the combination.
Styling tip:
Look for a focal print that picks up on tones used elsewhere in your room, which creates natural cohesion. If in doubt, choose a print you love and build around it with timeless neutrals.
Wrapping up
There’s no single ‘right way’ to style your home, but these cushion formulas offer a simple, reliable starting point. They take the guesswork out of combining designs, so you can focus on choosing the colours, sizes and quantities that work for you.
Each formula is designed to help you create a combination that feels considered and cohesive, whether you follow it exactly or use it as inspiration to make your own mix.
And if you’d prefer something ready to go, our curated cushion sets are an easy way to get a complete look without overthinking the details.
However you approach it, the goal is the same: to create a space that reflects your style and feels good to live in.
