Square, rectangular, or round: Which shape of indoor cushions should you choose?
Cushions are the ultimate decorative accessory. They’re inexpensive and make it easy to add a touch of color or a unique touch to your living room, dining room, or even your bedroom.
But interior throw pillows aren't just distinguished by their colors. Their shape is also an important factor to consider when choosing the right interior throw pillows.
Square pillow, rectangular pillow, or round pillow? Let’s take a closer look at the key features of each pillow shape before discussing what to keep in mind when choosing the best pillow shape to complement your interior decor.
The Distinctive Features of Different Types of Indoor Cushions
Regardless of their shape, indoor cushions serve two main purposes: to enhance a room’s decor and to provide extra comfort. However, depending on their shape, indoor cushions do not have the same aesthetic effect.
Choosing a Square Pillow: A Traditional Decorative Element
Square indoor cushions are the most common type of cushion. They fit easily on a sofa, an armchair, a chair, or even a bed. Square cushions are typically 40 x 40 cm or 45 x 45 cm.
Choosing a square cushion is the best way to ensure you can’t go wrong and to add flair to your interior decor while sticking to a classic, traditional style. However, it’s entirely possible to choose more extravagant colors or patterns to add a touch of originality while still opting for a square cushion.
Choosing a Rectangular Pillow: Creating Depth
For a more original look, you can opt for a rectangular cushion. Long used for outdoor decor, the rectangular cushion is now just as popular as the square cushion when it comes to interior design. Thanks to its elongated shape, the rectangular cushion adds a sense of spaciousness and creates depth and volume when paired with other cushion shapes.
It’s entirely possible to maintain a classic decor style by choosing a rectangular pillow. To do so, simply opt for simple colors (white, beige, gray, etc.) and a soft fabric like linen or cotton. This way, the rectangular pillow can blend harmoniously into the decor while allowing you to play with volume.
On a sofa, a rectangular cushion helps accentuate the length and provides excellent support for the lower back. It is therefore an ideal choice for people who suffer from back pain.
On a bed, a rectangular pillow is ideal for creating aseaside or cozy atmosphere. Many hotels use rectangular pillows, which provide better head support. In interior design, rectangular pillows can be used to create a headboard that invites rest and relaxation. For a luxuriously decorated bedroom, rectangular pillows are absolute must-haves and also help create depth when paired with square pillows.
Choosing a Round Pillow: A Fun and Unique Decorative Touch
For a truly original decorative touch, you can also choose a round or oval throw pillow. Round pillows are, however, less common than square or rectangular ones. They’re more commonly used as seat cushions on chairs.
However, it’s entirely possible to choose round throw pillows to place on a sofa, an armchair, or even a bed. Round throw pillows help break up the overly straight lines of your interior design and add a bit more life to the space. Round throw pillows are ideal for breaking away from a style that’s too impersonal and classic.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right Shape for Your Indoor Pillows
Each cushion shape thus has its own decorative effect, whether in the living room, dining room, or bedroom. Various factors can help you make the best choice among these different cushion shapes.
Comfort: A Factor Not to Be Overlooked
To choose the right shape for your cushions, you should first ask yourself what their primary purpose will be. Will they be placed on a piece of furniture simply to add a decorative touch to a room, or are they intended to improve the seating comfort on a sofa? If the latter is your main concern, it’s important to choose the shape of your cushions based on the comfort they can provide.
A round cushion is therefore not the best choice if the goal is to improve the seating comfort of a sofa. To relieve lower back pain, it’s best to choose a rectangular cushion, while a square cushion is ideal for improving the comfort of the backrest. The same applies to armchair cushions.
For a chair cushion, a round cushion might be the best option this time. Only a round chair cushion can make the seat softer while staying securely in place. Placing a square cushion on a chair may also work, but the cushion might shift or fall off as soon as someone sits down. A rectangular cushion might stick out unless the chair’s backrest is wide, as in the case of an office chair.
Decor: A Style for Every Shape
The interior design style of your home is also a factor to consider when choosing the right shape for your throw pillows. As we mentioned earlier, each shape of throw pillow creates a unique atmosphere and a distinctive look. Therefore, you should choose the shape of your throw pillows based on the decorative style of your living room, dining room, or bedroom.
Of course, other aspects of the pillow will influence its style. The color, patterns, and fabric of the pillow all play an important role. When it comes to shape, it’s good to keep in mind that:
- The square pillow fits right in with any decor style;
- The rectangular pillow complements both classic and cozy, chic styles;
- The round pillow complements both pop and vintage styles.
Of course, the most important factor in the end will be the buyer’s preferences and tastes, regardless of the item’s shape.
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