Floor pillows: ottoman, bag, advantages, filler

Recommendations for the selection and use of decorative pillows in interior design

For each design of a sofa and other upholstered furniture, you need to choose the decor individually. You should also take into account the material with which the pillows are filled. When choosing a decorative element, you should follow several tips:

Do not stick to the same color of pillows and sofa upholstery. For curvy sofas, round pillows with a designer border around the edges are suitable.
You can choose a variety of fabrics; it is better if it is natural textiles without additional synthetic content.
On a light-colored sofa, it is recommended to use plain pillows in a contrasting color. For example, bright yellow and light green models will look impressive with ash and light gray.
It is better to choose decorative components in accordance with the style of upholstered furniture. It is desirable that they have appropriate features.
The comfort of a home environment is emphasized by pillows with an interesting texture: large knitting, graceful wave-like embroidery and classic patterns using appliqué techniques.

Pillows with bright prints Source kulart.ru
Many options that are purchased separately often fit into any interior design. If you suddenly had to change it, you can get additional pillowcases. They are also easy to make yourself.

Designer pillows can be used in a variety of ways. They are easy to lay out in interesting patterns or simply fill the corners of sofas. Some pillows can be placed on the wide back of the sofa. Those models that come with the set often play the role of removable handrails.

To keep the design of the soft corner original, you can make a stack of pillows of the same shape and size. Multi-colored additions are often placed in a haphazard manner.

Pillows with a pillowcase with clasps are often placed in the middle of the sofa, back to front.

Features and Benefits

Floor pillows can add accents to the interior and give it a designer look. These compact soft products easily solve the problem of places to sit, and sometimes even to lie down.

You no longer have to worry about where to place a large group of friends; they will all fit on the floor around the coffee table and will be very happy. In terms of comfort, floor pillows are not inferior to good upholstered furniture. They create an atmosphere of comfort, peace and warmth.

If necessary, floor pillows can be easily moved to another room, hidden in a closet, or put away. So, in a matter of minutes and without much difficulty, a lot of space is freed up in the room.

Children love to play on the floor. They will be much more comfortable, warmer and softer on a floor pillow. In addition, you can jump on it and even fall asleep.

Floor cushions are light in weight and compact. You can put them in the trunk of your car and take them with you to the country or on vacation.

Types of decorative pillows

Decorative sofa accessories may differ in shape, fabrics and filling. If flat models are suitable for laying on chairs, then they try to place volumetric options on soft corners: beds, sofas, recreation areas. As for fillers, the most popular and harmless are:

Cotton wool. The material does not cause allergies and is inexpensive. It is very convenient to use this when you sew pillows yourself. This raw material has a significant drawback - it clumps and cannot be cleaned. In case of general cleaning, it is better to completely replace it.
Sintepon. An airy material that is involved in the creation of not only decorative, but also sleeping pillows. This filler cannot be washed, but it can be treated with a disinfectant. If the padding polyester gets into clumps, they can be easily straightened out by hand.
Down and feathers. Traditional filling option for pillows. It is very often used for decorative rollers and irregularly shaped models, as it is considered quite soft. But such a component is difficult to care for. May cause allergies in some people.
Holofiber is a modern filler. It is similar in appearance to padding polyester, but differs in its individual composition. This type of litter is widely available and inexpensive. It has shock-absorbing properties and is able to restore the shape of the pillow.
Herbs and buckwheat husk. Exclusively natural ingredients. Very useful for decorating sofas intended for relaxation. Suitable for those who suffer from sleep disturbances. The manufacturer produces such models in the form of bolsters or elongated pillows.

Less commonly, foam rubber and silicone granules are used as pillow filling.

Cushions with a stylish print Source www.amazon.com

On a note! When sewing covers for designer pillows yourself, you should use fabrics with a dense texture. These last much longer. Such canvases have a significant disadvantage - they are difficult to maintain. This is especially true for woolen fabrics, since if the washing mode is incorrectly selected, they tend to shrink.

Filler [edit | edit code ]

Most often, manufacturers use polystyrene foam granules, due to its physical properties: softness, lightness, hygiene, etc. This material has revolutionized the production of bean bag chairs. Previously, chairs were filled with anything: paper, beans and even buckwheat husks. However, all these materials did not provide the practical effect that foamed polystyrene granules provide: comfort, very low weight of the chair itself and environmental friendliness. For greater softness and plasticity, some manufacturers began to add synthetic fluff to polystyrene, which made the chair even more comfortable.

polystyrene does not contain substances that feed microorganisms, therefore it is not susceptible to rodents, mold, fungi and bacteria;
non-flammable - if polystyrene is briefly exposed to a flame, it melts around the fire source, but does not ignite, and, accordingly, the fire does not spread further. Based on the results of fire tests carried out at the VNIIPO EMERCOM of the Russian Federation, the following data were obtained: the fire resistance limit of a polystyrene wall is 2.5 hours, the rate of fire spread is zero;
environmental friendliness - even disposable tableware is made from it, i.e. it is safe even for food;
low thermal conductivity - accordingly, bean bag chairs can be used even for winter fishing.
lightweight - for example, an ottoman weighs 2 kg, and a two-seater sofa weighs about 8 kg.

But there are also companies that are not satisfied with polystyrene foam due to its inability to constantly retain its original shape. They use whole and diced polyurethane foam in the production. Frameless chairs with such filling serve for many years without losing their shape.

Designs of decorative pillows

The shape of the pillow is one of the main conditions when choosing models. The classic version is a square. Its dimensions are usually 40x40 cm. Such options are very suitable for the decorative design of deep sofas and armchairs.

Bright decor of pillows Source mrvov.ru/

When the modification of upholstered furniture does not meet general standards, then the pillows should be chosen accordingly. Options with parameters of 20x20 or 70x70 cm look great. Moreover, they can have unusual embroidery or applique of an ornament made of several layers.

Mustard colored pillow Source yzgge.p7.de/

Oversized or even miniature pillows are suitable for children's sofas. They can be in the shape of a cartoon character or a fairy tale. Also for these purposes, models of animals, birds, and toys are cut out.

Strict rectangular or round pillows are considered not the most popular. They are relevant only in cases where the interior has modern features and some of its details contain chaos and negligence.

Bright geometric print Source fabika.ru/

Hearts, polygons, flowers and other shapes are often found in decorative designs. They can even become a child's favorite toy. If the living room or room is decorated in a romantic style, then these shapes of pillows on the sofa will be very useful.

Decorative pillows for sofas in different styles

For a modern interior, it is better to choose bright pillow designs. They will complement the existing harmony and help focus attention on the soft corner, even if it is not in the center of the room.

Scandinavian style. A very good decision. The outer material of such a pillow is characterized by an interesting texture and unusual ornament. Especially handmade in this style looks organic.
Provence. In this style, pillows look very elegant and delicate. Their obligatory attribute is the presence of lace and ruffles, both on the base itself and in the form of edging.
Loft. Colorful pillows on a plain sofa are very appropriate. Most often they have some kind of ornament. One composition may include shades such as orange, blue, red, ashy.
Pop Art. A somewhat extravagant direction. In pillows of this style, various non-repeating motifs and imitation of paintings with spray paints are welcomed. Modern drawings and provocative inscriptions will very well dilute the atmosphere.
Classic. It is distinguished by luxurious shapes and expensive appearance finishing. Individual design motifs are often present on pillow cases.
Boho. Reminiscent of a rustic interior on an inconspicuous sofa-book, there are knitted pillows with embroidery. Sometimes such a decorative detail can resemble the look of a path or the colors of old rugs.
Minimalism. Decorating a sofa in this style involves using a small number of pillows. They can be of different sizes. It is permissible to use models only of the correct geometric shape.

An extravagant and interesting interior can be achieved thanks to its competent design. “Bold” decor design is very interesting, especially for those cases when the room is small and practically empty of accessories.

Decorative pillows for the sofa Source provolp.ru

Ideas for making designer pillows with your own hands

If you cannot find a suitable pillow in a furniture showroom, then you can create it yourself. In such cases, it is easy to translate all ideas and fantasies into textiles. Several useful ideas will definitely become relevant, both in modern and minimalist design directions.

Beautiful textile pillows Source yandex.ru

Sectional option

Such pillows are models consisting of several areas. A fabric or any other rigid partition is usually sewn between them. This gives the pillow comfortable, fluffy details.

Standard options

Classic pillow in the shape of a square. It is easy to make even without choosing special sizes. Hand-sewn models from old skirts and dresses will be very stylish. Floral patterns and repeating patterns will definitely highlight the upholstered furniture area.

Decor applique Source www.pinterest.com

Models with voluminous flowers

To sew such an interesting model, they try to use textured fabrics. For example, velvet or velor roses will look beautiful on burlap. Alternatively, flowers can even be made from cotton pads. But in order for them to keep their shape well, you will have to treat them with starch or hairspray.

Availability of buffs

Puffs are considered voluminous decor that looks original on the front side of the pillow. More rarely, pillowcases with this decorative element are sewn double-sided. To make the ornament attractive and professional, you need to take into account every centimeter. Therefore, it is important to determine the size of the decor in advance. Puffs can have different shapes and be complemented with rhinestones or beads.

Soft heart Source rozetka.com.ua

Heart pillow

The size of such a product is chosen depending on the parameters of the sofa. Such models immediately create an interesting, gentle, and most importantly romantic atmosphere. The surface can be made of velvet, satin or silk. Fabrics with a lush texture are welcome. You can do it yourself. You just need to sew on the ribbons and finely chop them along the edges.

Toy pillows Source yandex.ru

Toy-shaped pillows

If you make toy pillows from fabric, they require the making of an accurate pattern. To do this, you can create templates from paper or cardboard. They are easy to draw by hand or print ready-made. When sewing the front side, you can use three-dimensional details and create realistic images of animal faces.

White pillow with quilted pillowcase Source www.utkonos.ru

Quilted pillows

This model is expensive. Making it yourself will require a lot of effort and patience. You can create pillows with an interesting pattern only on thick fabrics. Only in this way will it be possible to obtain the ideal texture and volume of decor. This technique will prevent the formation of lumps, the pillow quickly returns to its original shape.

Long Pillow Source www.notonthehighstreet.com

Cushion cushions for a sofa

Rollers or roll models of decor are considered special. They can play a decorative and functional role in the design of a sofa. Often such specimens are placed under the head or used as soft armrests. Similar options are created individually for soft and computer chairs. They sew beautiful models from openwork fabric, complement them with patterns, ornaments and folds.

Knitted pillows

For these options, it is advisable to choose a new yarn. She will be fluffy and unique. Textured knitting looks very interesting as an addition to the rustic and Scandinavian design style. Keep in mind that handmade threads must be strong and dense enough. It is better to knit with knitting needles. This creates a minimum distance between the loops. Often a cover is knitted for a decorative element. The napkin is made of dense textile materials.

Case

What the cover will be like depends on where the floor cushion is used:

decorative items are decorated with lace, tassels, embroidery, patterns, textured fabrics;
knitted pillowcases are voluminous, but do not last long;
modular options are placed in dense synthetic cases to preserve their properties;
accessories used in the country, in the garden, have covers made of water-repellent material. Even if the floor product is forgotten on the street, it will remain dry and will not collect all the dirt;
A good addition to the classic style is pillowcases made of silk, satin, covered with embroidery (gold, silver thread).

What options should you avoid?

Some decorative options for sofas in the hall or living room may look ridiculous. To prevent this from happening, designers recommend:

refrain from pillows that have the same texture as the sofa upholstery. Of course, this condition applies if the addition to the soft corner was not included in the kit.
Avoid decorating with the same fabric as window curtains. Here it is not recommended to follow the same colors of all textile elements in the room.
Do not use pillows and cases that are no different from each other. Even if the models are chosen in the same color scheme, each of them should differ in an additional element (flower, applique, ornament).

On a note! Several centuries ago, satin stitch embroidered pillows were used as wedding dowries. They could only be laid out on the sofa in a strict order (according to the drawing).

Some smart tips for housewives

Having decided on the style, shapes and sizes of decorative sofa pillows, you can begin sewing and further combining options.

For example, when organizing effective decoration on a sofa, it is worth arranging the pillows so that their shades do not cause disgust. Strongly toxic palette tones are extremely undesirable.
Differences in texture are very welcome. The design will become original if you compare shiny, embroidered, piled, smooth products next to each other. They will have a positive effect on the entire style.
The number of pillows may vary. If there is only one sofa and there are no soft furnishings besides it, then you can lay out 4-5 pillows. If there is a lot of furniture, then it is better to limit yourself to 2-3 pieces.

In fact, there are no strict requirements when decorating a sofa with pillows. Everyone creates the environment according to their own preferences.

A selection of unusual options

Some models may seem non-standard or pretentious. Many of them are suitable for a sofa that does not at all match the style of the interior. Design ideas often become the most unexpected.

Beautiful pillow toy Source www.pictame.com

Toy pillow in the shape of a cat. Suitable for hard and soft sofas. It looks harmonious with non-standard decorative textures and strict forms. Such a product may vary greatly in color, which is within the rules.

Versatile pillows with contrasting shades. A repeating pattern is used as an ornament. Such options make them quite voluminous and lush. They try to fill it with padding polyester. A strong rope border is made as a frame.

Bright decor for upholstered furniture Source shtory-karnizy.su/

Cushions with crocheted covers are suitable to complement light-colored small sofas. To make the models look fancy, pillowcases with patterned holes are placed on snow-white bed sheets.

Filler

Having decided on the purpose of the pillow bag, it remains to understand what it will be filled with. The filler is quite hard and does not provoke allergic reactions. The product retains its original shape.

Types of natural padding:

Feather. It's heavy, expensive, and a bit prickly on the skin. This filler can harbor dust mites. You should not buy this floor cushion for a room with high humidity.
Vegetable filler (shavings, flexible wood branches, buckwheat husks, dry herbs). A powerful source of aromatherapy. A device with orthopedic properties allows you to relax, eliminates pain and tension. Not suitable for allergy sufferers.
Cotton wool. A good option for a decorative floor pillow. Heavy filler. It clumps when used.
Nice latex. The pillow is pleasantly elastic, hypoallergenic, and not too cheap.

Polystyrene. Mostly composed of air, light. It's cheap and repels moisture.
Foam rubber. Short service life.
Silicone balls. Suitable for filling children's pillows, pleasant to the touch, develop fine motor skills.
Sintepon is soft, the floor device will quickly begin to fall through. Warm material, it will not harbor fungi, mites, or other parasites.
Synthetic fluff - replace natural fluff. Does not rot, properties are maintained at high humidity.
Strutto. They are often used in modular models placed on the floor under furniture. Has increased elasticity.
Holofiber is a common filler. Polyester balls are lightweight and washable. To return the pillow to its shape, just shake it.