Choosing pillows for the sofa

Sofa cushions are an integral part of the interior. The combination of design colors speaks of the subtleties of the owner's taste. And the shape characterizes the personal characteristics of the owner. Do-it-yourself bolsters will fill the house with coziness and will certainly delight guests.

Functions and purposes

Interior decoration is not the only function of pillows. They are used primarily for comfort - to put under the head or back while relaxing on the sofa.

Fabrics for covers

The fabric can be different – ​​natural, synthetic or mixed.

The following fabrics are considered comfortable and beautiful.

• An exquisite tapestry is a woven fabric with a pattern.
• Delicate suede is an ultra-soft leather, processed from the inside using special methods.
• Noble brocade is a silk cloth with patterns made with metallic threads (silver, gold).
• Democratic denim is a dense and stiff material made of cotton.
• Burlap is a yarn made from stiff hemp threads.
• Linen fabric.
• Fluffy fur, natural or synthetic.
• Expensive leather – crocodile, python, ostrich.
• Cotton and calico.

Additional elements

When creating interesting models, various decorations are used. The most common are original fasteners, ties, ties, knots, bows, buttons.

What do they fill it with?

The inside is mostly filled with polyester, which comes in many different types.

Hollowfiber is a material that is almost non-flammable and does not absorb liquid well.

Fiberlon. It is characterized by rapid shape restoration and good air permeability.

Comforel. A new generation filler, it is the lightest in weight and easy to clean.

Hollofan is a tight weave of fibers that retains and quickly regains its original shape.

Sintepon is a combination of different types of synthetic materials.

Some manufacturers fill the dumochkas with natural goose or duck feathers. However, such rollers are inconvenient to use, they are heavy and accumulate dust.

Small dumochki usually consist of a filler and a cover. Large sofa bolsters have a foam core inside, which is supplemented with filler and lined with a pillowcase.

What are the forms?

The shapes of soft products vary widely, from hearts to champagne bottles. The standard example is a square or rectangle, with sides of 50x50, 70x20 or 45x45.

Children's bedrooms are often decorated with different figures - letters, animals, pencils, geometric shapes.

In exclusive interiors, you can sometimes find unusual soft objects – “travel bag” or “scrambled egg”.

Sofa decor is divided by design.

• Sectional surface. The dumochka is made of several surfaces connected by an insert.

  

• Oriental motifs. Decorated with folds and gathers on the covers.

  

• Quilted. The model is quilted along the perimeter, observing symmetry. This work looks expensive and stylish.

  

• Roller pillows. Used as an armrest or under the back.

  

Sewing a decorative pillow with your own hands

If you started sewing yourself, the main thing is to stop in time and not sew too much. Remember, everything should be in moderation! The whole process has four stages: sewing a pillowcase, creating a cover, filling, decorating.

A pillowcase is an internal fabric part designed to hold the filling, preventing it from going beyond the cover. The textile for the pillowcase should be durable, so that it can withstand stitching, ironing, and stitching (when cleaning).

The process requires a preparatory step. It is necessary to select the material, wash and iron the cloth.

List of tools

1. A set of needles and pins, the latter are needed for fastening.
2. Elastic tape.
3. Thick paper for creating a pattern.
4. Disappearing marker (web marking).
5. Scissors, threads, sewing machine.

First stage

Select the fabric and shape of the product. The parameters are marked on paper and then transferred to the back of the fabric. In addition to seam allowances, you need to add a couple of centimeters to the drawing for fabric shrinkage.

On two pieces of fabric, you need to cut out two identical figures. Cut only on the markings. It is recommended to use a diagonal cut. When folding two figures with the right side inward, you get a smooth workpiece.

Second stage

Make sure the drawings are correct and follow the next steps.

• Cut out according to the markings.

  

• Pin the sides securely to prevent them from shifting.
• Sew the pieces together on a sewing machine, leaving two centimeters between them. Stitch only three sides, one side is for putting on the pillowcase.

  

  

• The seam allowances need to be ironed, bending them in one direction.

  

• Fill the pillowcase, sew or fasten. To fasten, you need to sew on a zipper or buttons. If you are just sewing on a machine, then you need to unstitch when cleaning.

  

  

Third stage

When everything is ready, turn the pillowcase inside out and proceed to decoding. Note that the pillowcase parameters should be a couple of centimeters larger than the base. This makes it easier to remove when cleaning.

Cover decor

You can create an exclusive and interesting thing with the help of decor. The following are considered the simplest elements of decoration.

• Application of tape. This is a narrow, thin strip with patterns. It is used for upholstery of sofas and interior units. Tape can be embroidered using different techniques at home.
• Using scallops. On the front side, a strip with patterns of leaves, geometric figures and other ornaments is sewn on.
• Sewing various mosaics from small pieces of fabric. It is called patchwork type of sewing.
• Decorating with accessories - buttons, beads, glass beads. In children's rooms you can find rollers decorated with representatives of the animal world, the figures are attached with Velcro.
• Print. The material is coated with durable paint that cannot be washed off. Such decorative pillows are perfect for summer terraces and balconies. They look interesting and do not fade in the sun. They also do not absorb liquid well, so sudden rain is not a problem.

Tips for choosing decorative sofa pillows

1. The chosen color scheme should match the interior of the room. The shade can be chosen to match the color of the curtains, carpet, paintings.
2. The pillowcase should be of the same color, but different tones with the furniture upholstery. There is an opinion that this option is boring. However, a blue sofa with purple pillows will look at least strange.
3. It is advisable to study the standard color circle. It is best to combine shades that are opposite each other. For example, a blue sofa with orange cushions will look perfect. Do not combine shades from the triad of one color, this will make the sofa boring.
4. Contrast method. Used for rooms where the furniture and walls are inexpressive, monochromatic colors. The contrast option allows the choice of bright materials and makes a color accent.
5. A set of decorative pillows for a sofa usually does not exceed four symmetrical models. The fifth is usually of a non-standard shape and color. For example, a rhombus, an oval.
6. It is not recommended to use more than 5 colors in one room.
7. The choice of fluffy or terry will create a feeling of warmth and coziness in the house. However, it is worth buying a set based on the style of the living room.
8. You can choose several variants of covers and change them seasonally. For example, in autumn, wear red and orange colors. And in spring – green and blue shades. Seasonal change of colors of the pillowcase will definitely lift your mood.
9. Don't buy items that are too big, they are very uncomfortable.
10. Too dense filling is rated low due to causing discomfort.

Room style

Strict classical style is ideally combined with geometric elements – circles, rectangles, squares.

Modern. A variety of printed models made from linen or stiff burlap will suit this.

For high-tech, decoration with metallic threads is suitable. Sewing is best done from silk, leather and linen. The model should be chosen in strict forms.

Pop art allows the use of various figures and materials. These are hearts, animals, letters, etc.

The rustic country style will not tolerate strict products. Knitted and embroidered products are ideal here. Also, checkered coloring or nature patterns.

In the safari style, animal prints with fur decorative elements will look harmonious.

Retro – goes well with prints on products, especially old photographs and paintings.

Soft seats for chairs

Once you have finished choosing decorative pillows for your sofa, the question of choosing linings for chairs and armchairs arises. Especially if there is a dining table in the living room.

Chair pads are small-sized. They can be easily sewn by yourself. To do this, follow the instructions below.

• Prepare the necessary materials - scissors, foam rubber, nylon threads, buttons or zippers, Velcro. A single-color range of colors will do for chairs.
• Measure the parameters of the chair, cut out the foam rubber to the shape and cover it with fabric.
• Draw the pattern on paper. It contains several parts. One piece has a one-piece strip, and the other one does not.
• Next, transfer the drawing to the canvas, cut it out and sew along the perimeter with a sewing machine, except for one side, where the foam rubber will go. Sew a zipper or buttonholes to the remaining side.
• We sew Velcro onto the part that will be attached to the chair.
• Insert the "gut" and secure it to the chair.

How to Decorate Chair Pads

To make the interior more expensive, you can create quilted products with your own hands.

Step by step instructions

1. Prepare synthetic padding, fabric, sewing material, threads, pins, paper and scissors.
2. Measure the dimensions of the seat and make calculations on paper.
3. Cut out the blanks - one from synthetic padding, two from material.
4. Draw stitch markings on the back of the front piece.
5. Fold it so that you get a fabric-padding polyester-fabric combination.
6. Secure with pins. Sew around the perimeter of the drawn stitch.
7. Sew tie ribbons along the edges. Finish the edges with bias binding.

Decorative pillow for chair

An armchair is an important part of the living room interior. Usually, armchairs are sold complete with bolsters. However, they can be sold without them.

Rectangular and oval models are good for medium-sized armchairs. It is recommended to use the same tips as for choosing a product for a sofa.

Decor of products for chairs

Often the armchair is opposite the sofa or to the side, but this does not mean that it should be identical to the sofa. On the contrary, even the armchair can be decorated with an original model with patterns, for example, an owl or a family photo print.

If you need to sew it yourself, then follow the following algorithm of actions.

• Prepare – fabric, lace or embroidered ribbons, a zipper or buttons.
• Draw a sketch, cut it out.
• Pin the sides so they don't shift.
• Sew three sides.
• Sew a zipper or buttonholes on the last side. It is better to use a zipper, so the filling will be closed more securely.
• Fill the inside tightly with stuffing. Close the zipper, and you're done.
• Decorate with decor.

How to clean and care

At home, you can ventilate and treat with light from a quartz lamp. To remove stains on the canvas, it is strictly forbidden to use bleaching agents. The powder will spoil the color. It is best to use washing gels.

When washing in a machine, turn the pillowcase inside out, select a temperature of no more than 30 C. Set the mode to gentle, with a delicate spin. It is advisable to wash by hand so that the "insides" do not "get knocked out".

Velour and suede are cleaned exclusively with a microfiber brush, then aired.

Vinyl covers do not need to be washed, they can be cleaned with a wet sponge soaked in water with "detergent". Carefully remove the remains of the soap solution and dry in the open air.

When cleaning from wool, you can use a regular vacuum cleaner, changing the nozzle. You need to vacuum once a week.

It is strictly forbidden to wash the filling in a washing machine. You can clean the filling with a vacuum cleaner and airing.

It is advisable to dry in the open air to avoid shrinkage and the appearance of an unpleasant odor.

Read the instructions on the manufacturer's labels.

If your style allows, you can buy different covers for the sofa. Then the percentage of dirt will decrease.

Wipe leather surfaces with a damp sponge (not wet). Use special sprays once every two weeks.

To reduce the risk of damaging the furniture, and therefore the interior itself, it is best to take them to the dry cleaners once every six months. Professionals work there, they will definitely not damage it. Even if they do, they will compensate, but this is unlikely.

Bad examples of rollers

• Too big in size, more than 70x70. Such bolsters cannot be placed under the head or back. They cause discomfort, as a result of which you can get pain in the neck area if you regularly adjust such a dumochka under your head.
• Hard structure. The filling is too densely packed or hard fillings were used.
• The decor makes it difficult to use. For example, the patterns are sewn with coarse threads, which, when in contact with the body, cause unpleasant sensations and irritation on the skin.
• Pillows made of low-quality materials. For example, polyester fabric. While resting on such a bolster, you will certainly sweat, even in cold weather.

Creating coziness in the house is a delicate matter and does not always require much effort. It is enough to study the basics of design and color combinations in one room. Then your house will be filled with harmony and freshness. Especially if you sew some of its details with your own hands.

Video: Decorative pillow. Sewing a pillowcase with your own hands

50 Decorative Sofa Pillows for Inspiration and DIY: