A - Z of Interior Design Accessories – Cushions

C is for Cushions

I've decided to go for cushions under the letter C – purely because no home would be complete without them! They can be any shape or size depending on the size of your seating arrangement. The can be used purely for decoration, leaning against, snuggling into or hiding behind when watching a scary film – whatever the reason, and you may have more than one, you simply must include these interior design accessories in your home.

It's not only the living area where cushions can be used. Today's modern bedrooms also pile on a variety of different size and styles of cushion to give beds a trendy look. Boudoir styles are becoming increasingly popular, especially those which have a famous star or designer label.

Cushions are also a great way to add a variety of texture to an area; from knitted to smooth silk or those covered with sequins the humble cushion has become an important factor is achieving chic styling in your home.

Image: cutoutwitch

Lined Paper Cushions

These cushions with a lined paper, including the margin, reminded me of college. They're perfect for anyone at school, college or university and a great way to add comfort to student digs.

Sometimes it's the simple things in life which inspire us – for me these cushions would be a gentle reminder to get my paperwork sorted out – much nicer than being nagged!

Image: Wickerfurniture

Inject Style and Colour Using Cushions

If your living room's colour pallet is muted tones, magnolia, soft cream etc. it's easy to give it an instant up-lift using cushions. Choose those which have pattern and texture to give a new lease of life to your seating arrangement. For the floor patterned rugs are ideal and can be chosen to compliment or contrast the cushions, bringing a sense of harmony and uniformity to the room.

One of the greatest advantages of using this form of décor is that you can swap and change as often as you like without having to redecorate the entire room.

Image: danlucus

Soft Furnishing Fabric – Polyester

Love it or loathe polyester is seeing a revival on the cat walks which means it will also be given the 'all-clear' to use it to make soft furnishings as trends from the cat-walk don't take long to filter into the world of interior design. It may be against trends to use fabrics which aren't natural but when you look at it logically most of us are unaware that polyester has become part and parcel of our everyday lives. We may not realise that many soft furnishings, curtains, curtain lining, bedding, cushions etc. are made from cotton and polyester blends. It's the blends of cotton and polyester which make washing and drying fabric far easier than it is when only a natural material, such as cotton, wool etc. is used.

Most of us know that polyester is a man-made fibre and the vast majority of us don't want to know what it's made of and how it's made. For those who are interested polyester in basically made from from PET – polyethylene terephthalate, in other words a chemical compound.

Image: dizzyjadey

Living Room Interior Design Ideas - Fresh and Green

There's something about fresh lime green which screams out 'look at me'! I love this colour, especially when teamed with cream or soft whites for a living room. Perfect for modern and contemporary homes you could also take the bite off by dropping a couple of shades lighter for a more traditionally styled home without losing the colour impact.

As emerald green is this year's Pantone colour choosing a brighter green may not be an exact match but it ticks all the right boxes in terms of invigorating and rejuvenating a tired looking living room. If you don't want to go all out and use this shade for your walls you can always introduce it via cushions, throws and rugs. It would also work well with purple and lavenders which are trending right now.

Image: jinkazamah

Winning Colour Combinations Raspberry & Apple

Raspberry and apple are winning combinations to the palate and they're also winning colour combinations for your home. The fresh colours can be used in most styles of décor and any room from the kitchen to bedroom and living room.

These colours may not be the hottest on-trend colours but they have stood the test of time and proved successful for many years. You can always freshen up the look by introducing new cushions and rugs to give a room an instant up-date without loosing these delicious colours.

Image: LucyandCompany

Interior Design Ideas - Spring & Summer Living Room Colours

Bring a touch of Spring and Summer into you home using pretty yellowy green and cream with a splash of purple. This living room colour pallet and style isn't anything fancy, it's something that could easily be replicated in your own home. Sometimes all you need is a little interior design insight to set the ball rolling.

domino neon green

The eye catching pop of colour via the cushion prevents this living room from looking too plain. As we know all too well it's the little things that count so even if you don't fancy a complete living room makeover this year you can still bring a fresh new look by using cushions, throws and maybe an area rug.

Image: coco+kelley

Soft Furnishing Fabrics – Mulmul

Mulmul is a fine soft cotton fabric which has been used for centuries to make clothes and lightweight coverings for windows. This beautiful fabric is used for making saris and today can also be used as soft, colourful fabric for window dressings, throws and cushion covers. Due to the fineness of the cotton it can be difficult to work with, however, the end results are well worth the aggravation.

Mulmul can be dyed and also printed; it's a fabulous fabric if you want to make a stylish bed canopy or use it in place of voiles at your windows.

Image: Dan.be

Beautiful Blue & Soft Grey Living Room

Blue is often overlooked as a colour for living rooms, I assume that's because it's classed as a cold colour. However, mix it with soft greys with blue undertones and it looks stunning. This monochromatic colour scheme is perfect for modern homes, especially those which lean towards cabins and relaxed, casual living.

I love the knitted rugs, pouffes and cushions covers which give depth and texture to a living space. It's this style of room which allows you to sit old next to new without either vying for your attention or trying to be too dominant.

If you're looking for a new colour scheme for your living area consider using blues, they're not as cold as you may think.

Image: ohh_food

2013 Interior Design Trends – Bold Colours are Back

Ikea 2013- Colours are back

Ikea show us with their display stand that colours are back this year, and we're not talking about muted tomes or soft pastels but loud, bold colours. Patterns are also back on trend along with deliberate colour clashing. So, if you're looking for a stylish way to boost the look of your home try adding patterned wallpaper, brightly coloured cushions and bold abstract wall art.

Image: Vilseskogen

Soft Furnishing Fabrics – Faux Fur

Fur faux, as the name suggests, is imitation fur fabric made from polyester. Renowned for it's ability to look similar to genuine furs it's the ideal fabric to make luxury throws and soft furnishings without having the death of an animal on your conscious.

Luxury Faux Fur Throws

Animal prints are very trendy, being used for home décor and clothing. Faux fur is available in a wide range of colours and prints, including animal prints. Its soft touch makes it ideal for bedding and is also perfect for using as a throw for your favourite sofa or chair.

For those who love sewing it's easy to make cushion covers and decorate soft furnishings with this animal-friendly fabric.

Image: Wickerfurniture

Soft Furnishing Fabrics – Fleece, Natural and Man-made

Fleece is a man-made fabric; it's made from polyester and is renowned for its soft pile and feel. Within the world of interior design fleece is used to make throws, cushion cover and blankets. It's warm insulation properties offer a lightweight, snugly fabric which is easy to maintain and care for. Most fleece fabrics can be machine washed and tumble dried. The latest fleece is called micro fleece and offers a soft touch fabric perfect for baby bedding and bed throws.

Natural fleece comes from sheep and goats wool. It's the name given to the thick hair which is shorn off the animal. It can be made into sheepskin rugs, or the wool goes through numerous processes to make fibre for weaving or knitting. Clothing and textiles are the main use for natural wool which can be used to create luxury bedding, upholstery fabric and fabric for making clothes.

Luxury angora goats fleece is ideal for making high quality throws.

Image: ...love maegan

Image: athenamat

Beautiful Summer Accessories

Fill your home with a touch of Summer with beautiful floral cushions. The trend for adding additional texture to our homes has become one of the year's 'must dos'. Adding different textures along with the latest 3D style cushions is a great way to give a living room or bedroom an instant up-date. One of greatest advantages is that you don't have to spend a small fortune to get the look.

Image: LucyandCompany

Fill Your Living Room with Warm Summer Colours

Filling your home with warm colours is a great way to give you a burst of summer sunshine all year long. These warms reds and mellow yellows are perfect for all styles for homes. You can make your home as informal as you like simply by adding throws and scatter cushions.

Throws are ideal for giving sofas and chairs a fresh look and perfect for giving a new look to chairs and sofas that are a little out-dated, have threadbare patches or stains. Far cheaper than buying new furniture you can swap and change throws and cushions to suit your moods and the seasons.

Image: ohh_food

Interior Design Trends 2013 – Knitted Soft Furnishings & Accessories

This years trend of using tactile materials and fabrics in our homes includes knitting and embroidery. This isn't 'what grandma used to make' type of knitting, although some of the techniques and stitch patterns remain the same. This year it's about being inventive and creative, just take a look at some interior design blogs and you'll see there's some great ideas to be inspired by.

Image: LornaWatt

Trendy Tuesdays!

If your home is looking a little dull and lifeless inject some bright colors to rejuvenate it simply by adopting one of this year's interior design trends of color clashing. This is where you deliberately go against the 'rules' and choose co lours that wouldn't usually been used together, for example red and orange or purple and orange.

These bold colors will look great in modern homes and apartments. You don't have to go 'mad' cushions, throws and rugs should do the trick. A quick and easy make-over that will bring bursts of color into your home with very little cost.

Wonderful Wednesdays – Let's go on Safari

Creating a theme for a room is a great idea as it gives you a focus and a canvass on which to explore your interior design ideas. So, today we're going on a safari and even if you've never been to Africa there's no reason why you should prevent adopting this fabulous interior design theme in your home.

To begin think of the colours of Africa; earthy browns, parched savannah or the natural colours of the animals and birds. Any of these will make a great main colour. Then add in accents to bring your room alive with coloured cushions, rugs, curtains and blinds.

You can even go further in decorating the room with the use of fabrics and textiles that feature a safari type theme, such as zebra patterned cushions or even a zebra rug which are fairly easy to get hold of. If you make a search on the internet, you will be able to find vases and other pots that are fashioned to resemble many of the animals that are found in Africa. These are excellent to place in the corners of your room, and when you have done this, adding some ferns or other plant in them, will really set the mood of a safari theme.

Let your interior design imagination run wild!

Image: Mirage Floors