Insiders: How to Style Cushions in your Home with Jojo Barr
Our Insiders series speaks to interiors and hospitality experts who share their tips, advice and inspiration around niche topics.
For this edition of Insiders we settled down for a chat with Jojo Barr, founder and lead designer of interior design studio, House Nine. With nearly two decades of industry experience, Jojo has a deep understanding of how interiors come together, from the architecture of a room to the furniture and soft furnishings that complete it. She believes that each element contributes to the soul of a design, creating a look that is both thoughtful and uncomplicated. Passionate about crafting authentic and timeless environments, Jojo takes a hand-on approach, ensuring that each project is unique yet consistently reflects the essence of House Nine.
We love how House Nine balance their interior schemes with the careful placement of textiles and soft furnishings. To celebrate the launch of our new cushions and throws, we asked Jojo to share her expertise on how to style cushions in different spaces in your home.
The right cushions can do wonders to completely revive a plain bed or tired-looking sofa. They can bring a room back from the brink of boredom, injecting life, interest, freshness and warmth. Knowing how to choose the perfect cushions for your interiors – and how best to arrange them – is more of an art than a science.
Consider scale.
When it comes to sizes, think in layers—larger cushions for structure and smaller ones for decoration. Always put larger cushions at the back and smaller ones at the front. This layering creates depth and interest.
Mix textures.
Fabric choice is crucial depending on the function and look you want. You want to mix textures to add intrigue. Play with a variety of textures, especially when using solid colours. Velvet, boucle, woven fabrics and linens all bring a unique feel and add depth to your design. Linens or cottons work well for casual spaces, while velvets and leather add luxury and richness.
Think about colour.
As for colours, keep in mind that brighter tones can sometimes clash, so it’s best to choose complementary hues. Just because you love a cushion doesn’t mean it will suit the room. Take a look at the colours already present and decide whether you want to introduce new tones or keep things cohesive. At House Nine, we love pairing earthy, warm tones with neutrals for a balanced look.
Mixing plain and printed cushions works best when you vary the scale of the prints.
A large floral paired with a tiny geometric, for example, creates balance. Stick to one standout pattern per space, then support it with smaller, subtler designs. We often incorporate striped cushions to add a simple, grounding element to the overall look.
Odd numbers of cushions often feel more visually appealing, especially on sofas.
However, there’s no strict rule – you want enough cushions to look inviting but not so many that they overwhelm the space. One cushion on its own can look odd unless it’s placed in a smaller, singular chair, like an armchair.
- Bed: We like to start with three large square cushions at the back, followed by two smaller ones, and finish with a rectangular cushion in the front. For smaller beds, use two large cushions, two smaller ones, and one rectangular.
- Sofa: Work in odd numbers, such as three or five cushions, for a balanced look. For a more casual arrangement, group three cushions on one side of the sofa.
- Armchair: One or two cushions are usually sufficient, as the armchair itself is more of a focal point. Stick to comfort and keep the look clean.
Any rules for styling cushions can absolutely be broken!
While it’s a good idea to consider colour, texture and layering, your space should reflect your personality. Feel free to break the ‘odd numbers’ rule if symmetry suits the room better. At House Nine, we love experimenting with cushion arrangements depending on the individuality of the space.
Always go for cushion fillers that are two inches bigger than the cushion cover.
This gives your cushions a full, plush look, rather than the fabric feeling loose. Another unexpected trick is mixing trims – knife-edge cushions for simplicity or brush fringe for a bit of flair. And lastly, don’t forget to give your cushions a very light karate chop! It adds a subtly indent in the centre, making them look effortlessly styled and cosy.
For more tips and tricks, listen to Jojo’s weekly podcast “The Ins & Outs” with garden designer, Polly Wilkinson.
All images by House Nine.
Follow Jojo on Instagram @houseninedesign
Discover our collection of cushions to update your home.
